 | Lying on the Rover Severn just nine miles from the Welsh border, Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire in England. The town was founded around 900AD but it did not gain wealth and national importance until the 14th and 15th centuries when it became a major centre for the wool trade with the rest of Britain and Europe.
Shrewsbury has a population of around 72,000, and it is Shropshire's second largest town, after Telford. Access to Shrewsbury is fairly easy from all parts of the UK thanks to a number of A roads, such as the A5, which meet at the town, and the fact that five railway lines connect to the town from different parts of the UK.
History lovers will enjoy a trip to Shrewsbury town centre as it has plenty of historic buildings, and still retains its medieval street pattern with many narrow streets and passages. A vast majority of Shrewsbury's street names have also kept their place, with the more unusual ones including Butcher Row, Dogpole, Frankwell, Grope Lane, Gullet Passage, The Dana, Shoplatch and Bellstone.
Those looking to mix history with a beverage or two should head to one of the town's many ancient pubs, such as the Golden Cross, which first opened in 1428 and is the oldest pub in Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury also plays host to one of the UK's largest and oldest horticultural events - the Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is a two-day event in August that has been held annually for more than 125 years.
There are a number of different museums in Shrewsbury including, Rowley's House, Shrewbury Castle, Shropshire Regimental Museum, and the Coleham Pumping Station, while art galleries include the Gateway arts and drama centre.
Postcodes for Shrewsbury begin with the letters SY and as well as Shrewsbury itself the SY postcode includes Oswestry, Ludlow, Aberystwyth, Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Llanymynech, Malpas, Bishops Castle, Borth, Bow Street, Llanfyllin, Montgomery, Bucknell, Caersws, Welshpool, Llanrhystud, Lydbury North, Craven Arms, Llanbrynmair, Llanfechain, Tregaron, Llandinam, Machynlleth, Meifod, Newtown, Talybont, Llanidloes, Llansantffraid, Llanon, Ystrad Meurig and Church Stretton. |
