At the entrance to Shrewsbury Castle, 8th April 2023 (Author’s Collection).
With the promised Easter sunshine here in the UK only expected to last until the dying embers of a Saturday evening into Easter Sunday itself, I couldn’t resist treating myself to the 15 minute train journey to nearby Shrewsbury, and a riverside town full of history, Charles Darwin, Mary Webb, an 11th Century Abbey, beautiful gardens blooming in the sunshine of Spring and the River Severn gently flowing through the heart of this Shropshire Market Town.
42 sunshine filled images follow with just a colour commentary from the dreamer who basks in such sunshine and revels in this time of year as Spring turns to Summer in our earthly universe all the better for the benevolent rays of the great Fire God in the Sky.
I hope you enjoy this elongated pictorial stroll in the sunshine of Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury Library
Originally a 16th Century school now turned public library, here is your first view of Shrewsbury Library as seen from the entrance to the Castle opposite.
Charles Darwin, resting easy at the entrance to the library.
Commemorative Plaque at the entrance to “Castle Gates Library”.
A wider view of Darwin and the grand entrance to the library.
The bust of locally born novelist and poet Mary Webb (1881–1927) and quite the backdrop to the entrance to Shrewsbury Castle!
Shrewsbury Castle
In more recent times a “Cosmic Egg” has stood at the entrance to Shrewsbury Castle but here in Spring, we have the Union Jack flag in decorative flowers.
The entrance to Shrewsbury Castle which is also home to a museum for the Shropshire Regiment of the British Army.
A final view of Shrewsbury Library as seen from the entrance to the Castle.
Four images inside the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle — Part 1.
Four images inside the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle — Part 2.
Four images inside the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle — Part 3.
Four images inside the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle — Part 4.
The Abbey
“The Abbey was founded as a Benedictine Monastery by Roger de Montgomery in 1083 on the site of an existing Saxon church. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of King Henry VIII the part of the Abbey building which survived continued as a Parish Church — as it is to this day”.
(1) Four images from inside The Abbey as my visit coincided with a beautiful lunchtime concert.
(2) Four images from inside The Abbey as my visit coincided with a beautiful lunchtime concert.
(3) Four images from inside The Abbey as my visit coincided with a beautiful lunchtime concert.
(4) Four images from inside The Abbey as my visit coincided with a beautiful lunchtime concert.
A final view of The Abbey and an image as English as can be!
“Abbey Gardens” and the River Severn
Situated on the river bank of the River Severn and a short stroll from the Abbey itself.
A view from the “English Bridge” in the centre of Shrewsbury with the River Severn flowing through the heart of the town. To the right of the picture is where Shrewsbury Town Football Club once had their famous home for many decades and errant balls leaving the stadium would be scooped from the river by a man in a vessel known locally as a “Coracle”!
A reflections filled view from the “English Bridge” full of beautiful Spring sunshine.
The “English Bridge” as seen from “Abbey Gardens”.
A final view of the “English Bridge” with “Abbey Gardens” to your left and the “United Reformed Church” of Shrewsbury providing a picturesque backdrop.
A view of the River Severn from “Kingsland Toll Bridge”.
A reverse view from “Kingsland Toll Bridge” with the beautiful rowing club to your left and the huge public park known locally as “The Quarry” just peeking into view on the right.
“The Dingle”
Situated inside “The Quarry” public park you’ll find the delights of “The Dingle” and a beautifully arranged garden of flowers.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 1.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 2.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 3.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 4.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 5.
Six of the best from inside “The Dingle” — Part 6.
“The Quarry” and River Severn
Anyone for a ride on the Ghost Train?!
A reverse view of the (in)famous commemorative statue to the two World Wars as well as the distinctive round design of St Chad’s Church.
“Since early medieval times there has been a church in Shrewsbury dedicated to St Chad, first Bishop of Mercia in the 7th century. By the end of the 18th century the large but ageing building had fallen into disrepair, and cracks had appeared in the tower. The great engineer, Thomas Telford, advised that it was in danger of collapse, and he was right. One morning in 1788 the parishioners awoke to find they had a pile of rubble but no church”.
If you know, you know, but this commemoration to the two World Wars is, well, rather unique. To say the least!
Two views from the “Shrewsbury Quarry Park Suspension Bridge” — Part 1.
Two views from the “Shrewsbury Quarry Park Suspension Bridge” — Part 2.
A view from the “Welsh Bridge” with the “Quantum Leap Darwin Bi-Centennial Garden” to your right.
(1) Sadly closed today for some unexplainable reason, here are two images from the distinctive “Quantum Leap Darwin Bi-Centennial Garden” nestling beside the River Severn.
(2) Sadly closed today for some unexplainable reason, here are two images from the distinctive “Quantum Leap Darwin Bi-Centennial Garden” nestling beside the River Severn.
With the “Welsh Bridge” ahead and the always busy “Theatre Severn” to your right, thanks for the memories Shrewsbury.
Thanks for reading. There are a wealth of articles within my “UK Travel” library here. Here are links to three of the most recently published examples:
