Holidays & Travel

   Shropshire is England’s forgotten county but it is well worth making the effort to get there. It is only three hours by train from London and there is plenty to see and do. It is primarily a rural county steeped in history bordering as it does mid Wales from Oswestry in the northwest to Ludlow and the Hereford border in the south.

   Consider staying in Shrewsbury, the capital of the county. Shrewsbury is a growing mediaeval town with a large mixture of places to stay and lots of things to see. It straddles the mighty Severn River, one of Britain’s longest rivers. The river twists and turns and revisits the town in several places. It can and does still flood some of the city and the effects of global warming have persuaded the town council to beef up the flood defences.

   On a mild balmy day with the river low and sleepy it seems hard to believe that the river could ever offer a threat, but when it is angry and running, it does. Visit the castle set beside the Victorian railway station. Shrewsbury is also the home of Charles Darwin and there are reminders of their famous son throughout the town. Consider too the half timbered and ancient Rowley’s museum. To the north of the town is an area called Battle, named after the Battle of the Roses fought there in 1400 when men were slaughtered. Do visit the church just north of the battlefield site where a permanent memorial is on display.

   But Shropshire has much more to offer than simply the county town. In the south Ludlow is a fascinating ancient town. Katherine of Aragon was imprisoned there in the castle after Henry the eight turned his attention elsewhere. The castle is still in surprisingly good condition and is open most days.  

   Bridgnorth is a town split in two. The lower level beside the River Severn and the high town, which commands views along the river. Take the old Steam powered Severn Valley railway, scene of countless films and TV series, from there south towards Kidderminster over the border in Worcestershire.

   In the north of the county Ellesmere in the Shropshire Lakeland is a small town well worth a visit. Check out the canal where Thomas Telford’s masterpiece, built in 1760 runs through the town before wending its way over the border and into Wales and on to Llangollen. Oswestry in the northwest is a bustling market town and on market day you are likely to hear Welsh being spoken as often as English.

   Another small town well worth a visit is Much Wenlock, located on Wenlock edge, a cliff face that runs diagonally across the county. There is an ancient monastery there and quaint buildings aplenty. In the far south of the county Ludlow is a must. Narrow streets with many half-timbered buildings always have something to offer. Check out the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow for olde England history and charm.

   For the more energetic walking holidays across the moorland of the Long Mynd offers surprising taste of wilderness. Lastly, if you still have time, try and visit Telford at Ironbridge where Thomas Telford’s bridge still stands, the first metal bridge ever built anywhere and the harbinger of the industrial revolution

   Shropshire is still undiscovered, especially for the international traveller, but it has much to commend it. The people are gentle and friendly and it is well worth the effort to get there. You can access thousands of holidays villas and cottages worldwide can be checked out on the website www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk. Enjoy travelling!