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 River Severn, one of Britain's longest rivers. The river twists and turns and revisits the town in several places. It can and still does flood some of the town occasionally 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 imagine 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 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 in the War of the Roses fought there in 1403 when thousands of men were slaughtered on both sides, the majority brought down by the English longbow. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/history/2003/02/battle_of_shrewsbury/battle_smil.shtml. Do visit the old 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 of the county Ludlow is a fascinating small ancient town. Katherine of Aragon was imprisoned there in the castle after Henry the eighth turned his attentions elsewhere. The castle is still in surprisingly good condition and is open most days. Countless 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.
Bridgnorth is a town split in two. The lower level beside the River Severn and the high town set on the escarpment that 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 and over the border into 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 as likely to hear Welsh being spoken as often as English. Another small town 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.
For the more energetic, walking holidays across the moorland of the Long Mynd offers a surprising taste of wilderness. Stay in Church Stretton, a mecca for hill walkers. Lastly, if you still have time, try and visit Telford at Ironbridge where Thomas Telford's bridge still stands, the first metal bridge built anywhere heralding the dawn of the industrial revolution
Shropshire is still relatively undiscovered, especially by international travellers, 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 holiday villas and cottages worldwide on my website www.pebblebeachmedia.co.uk. Enjoy your travelling!
David Carter has writen and published hundreds of articles over more years than he cares to remember. His latest work is the property management book SPLAM! Successful Property Letting And Management, a 244 page book full of insights into letting property without hassles. He currently runs three websites, SPLAM!, Homemax full of ideas for homeworkers, and Pebble Beach Media where you can access thousands of holiday cottages, villas and apartments worldwide. He has recently completed a new novel "White Flags" which should be available in the new year.
Websites:
http://www.splam.co.uk
http://www.splam.co.uk
http://www.splam.co.uk
Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist... Read More
Sea Pines Plantation ? The Pearl of Hilton Head IslandHilton... Read More
Taking the plunge from average vacationer to vacation property owner... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
If you're planning a visit to Australia, then you'll be... Read More
Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More
Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook... Read More
Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More
Planning a family beach vacation? Looking for destinations with family... Read More
Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More
This may seem like a very strange title for an... Read More
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure... Read More
Aphrodite's Hot SpotEuropean Road Trip AdventuresCyprus. Yes, it is a... Read More
The Amazonat Jungle Lodge is offering in addition to her... Read More
Florida beachfront rentals are a great way to enjoy a... Read More
That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More
Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north... Read More
Bahamas vacation villas are the way to go if you... Read More
Stay a week or stay a lifetime, the Emerald Coast... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
How to find a Town Houses that will make your... Read More
More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More
Margarita Island is one of the lesser known Caribbean islands.... Read More
Aquitaine with its 5 departments; Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyr?n?es-Atlantiques.Weather:... Read More
Cozumel has something to suit the tastes and budgets of... Read More
recurring housekeeping Des Plaines ..Welcome to Washington, DC - The nation's capital is a... Read More
Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for over two... Read More
Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You're choosing... Read More
What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More
Aquitaine with its 5 departments; Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyr?n?es-Atlantiques.Weather:... Read More
Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More
The real secret to cheap family vacations is to be... Read More
When staying in Orlando, you really do have a lot... Read More
Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More
As a resident, business owner and frequent skiier at Whistler,... Read More
I am in my yearly snit. Now my wife would... Read More
Aphrodite's Hot SpotEuropean Road Trip AdventuresCyprus. Yes, it is a... Read More
==> Try to buy your vacation travel package from a... Read More
I have a 17-year-old daughter who is finishing up a... Read More
That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More
Are you thinking about a great place to go for... Read More
More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More
Shropshire is England's forgotten county, but it is well worth... Read More
Each year, over two million people find their way to... Read More
The largest barrier island on the Atlantic coast between New... Read More
Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love... Read More
This article is meant to be a guide for those... Read More
It has been said that in real estate there are... Read More
Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure... Read More
Vacation Rental |