Places to Visit in Shropshire


Although perceived by many as a quiet and rural county in England, Shropshire is a county that is rich in heritage and history. Its location on the border between Wales and England has given much of the area a turbulent and interesting past, for example. There are many different places to learn more about this element of Shropshire history including some significant castle sites and ruins that are dotted around the county. Notable castle locations here include:



Shropshire towns vary from the charmingly rural to towns that have more of an industrial heritage. Although over the years the county has relied a lot on agriculture for its main economy the area also has strong industrial roots. The main town in the county is Shrewsbury which is well worth a visit to see its abbey and castle as is Ludlow which is full of fascinating history. Both Shrewsbury and Telford are good places to visit if you want to take in some shopping areas - Telford has more modern shopping that is centre orientated. There are also a lot of charming and interesting villages in the county that are well worth a visit including Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ironbridge itself.

The area around the Ironbridge Gorge which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most historically interesting industrial areas in the country and is marketed as being the ‘Birthplace of Industry’. This is based on Abraham Darby’s invention that allowed him to produce cheap iron by smelting iron with coke rather than charcoal. There are various museums in Ironbridge that are worth a visit and which will help any visitor learn more about the county’s industrial past and the influence it played at various times in history. And, of course, you can also take a look at the famous Iron Bridge in this location. Popular museums in Ironbridge include:



Shropshire is also a place that is loved by walkers, hikers, cyclists, riders and nature lovers. The Shropshire Union Canal, for example, is popular with both walkers and canal boat enthusiasts. The Shropshire hills themselves are also designated as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Clee Hills, Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge are popular visits to make here.