Shrewsbury

Today was an interesting but strenuous day. It was only a short hop down the A5 to the Oxon Park and Ride (Which happens to be right next to the Oxon Hall Caravan Park) then it was a short ride by bus into Shrewsbury’s town centre. 

This is a fabulous shopping town with loads of history, everywhere you looked there were old buildings and narrow lanes or Shuts as they are known. Be warned the town sits on a hill in a loop of the river Severn so your either walking up or down a hill whichever way you go.

Market Square

Old Market

Some of the Shuts have quaint names like Grope lane with fascinating Tudor Black and white buildings that lean over the narrow passage above your head and you half expect to see a pee pot being emptied out of the bedroom windows. At the bottom of Mardol street just before it emerges out onto the riverside, is the Kings Head public house, this old Tudor style house was dated to 1404 and appears as if it’s about to topple over it leans forward so much.

Kings Head

We visited Shrewsbury’s red Sandstone Castle that was founded by Roger De Montgomery in 1070 which holds the regimental museum of the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry where Kay found some valuable information on a relative who died in the First World War with this regiment in 1915. Unfortunately the weather was changeable with sun followed by sudden showers that had us both scuttling for cover.

Overlooking the castle is Laura’s tower that was built on the original Motte where the very first Norman castle stood. The whole area has loads of interesting history but I leave that to you to investigate as it really is a nice town to visit.

The Castle

Laura's Tower

Castle grounds

Castle entrance

We stayed in the town for lunch then took a bus ride back to the car and then it was off to get some fuel and a visit to an industrial site at Wem where I wanted to get a tow plate to extend the rear drop on my tow bar.

On the way to and from Wem we travelled through some more charming villages like Loppington, Nonely and Ruyton-XI-Town before heading back to our base at the Oswestry C&CC Site.

Tudor Arch

Riverside Sculpture

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