Located in the heart of the countryside, close to the Welsh borders, Shrewsbury is an exceptional medieval town. With its black and white buildings, historic places of interest and a vibrant social scene, there is a great deal of fun to be had by families, couples and solo travelers. If you’re stuck for ideas for your holiday or a local day out, check out this guide to the best things to do in Shrewsbury, UK.
1. Shrewsbury Castle

Built in 1070 by Roger de Montgomery, during the reign of William the Conqueror, Shrewsbury Castle has been beautifully restored over the years and offers a great insight into the history and battles of the area. It now also incorporates the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust’s collection of pictures, uniforms, medals, weapons and other equipment from the 18th-century to the present day. While you’re there, check out the town’s views from Laura’s Tower and take a peaceful walk around the grounds.
Shrewsbury Castle
Address: The Castle, Shrewsbury SY1 2AT, England
Website: Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust
2. Tour a historic jail
Our staff regularly report hearing footseps, whistling and jangling keys in the prison - during the day! Would you spend...
Posted by Jailhouse Tours on Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Ever wondered what it’s like to take a walk in the footsteps of prisoners? Now you can do just that with a guided tour around The Dana Prison in Shrewsbury. Run by ex-prison officers, this 2 hour tour will begin with you ‘starting your sentence’ before later discovering what happens behind the locked doors. You’ll also learn about Dana’s grisly history with executions and listen to stories from the last 200 years right through to the present day. If you’re feeling really brave, you can even book a night to stay inside a cell!
Jailhouse Tour
Address: Howard Street, Shrewsbury SY1 2HP, England
Website: Jailhouse Tour
3. Shrewsbury Museum and Gallery

This museum combines contemporary exhibitions with historical artifacts spanning 750 years! Previously a medieval town house and early Victorian Music Hall, the building itself is of great historical interest. From top class art exhibitions to hands-on family fun, there is something to interest everyone. In addition to art displays, and original exhibits, there are also new technologies to discover new ways to look at objects and inspire you to think about the localities’ heritage.
Shrewsbury Museum and Gallery
Address: The Music Hall, The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LH, England
Website: Shrewsbury Museum and Gallery
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Attingham Park
A visit to Attingham Park is a must on your trip to Shrewsbury. Set in stunning and well maintained grounds, you can explore inside the huge mansion and learn all about the secrets of the Berwick family. One of the main attractions is the amazing parkland where you can stroll or cycle, explore the organic Walled Garden, see deer and enjoy the beauty of the area and the River Tern. Supported by the National Trust, they host a vast range of activities throughout the year so you can get the most of your experience.
Attingham Park
Address: Shrewsbury SY4 4TP, England
Website: Attingham Park
5. Battlefield Falconry Centre

For a unique experience, visit the Battlefield Falconry Centre with its numerous birds of prey which includes owls, falcons and hawks. Located in a beautiful environment, the center offers a variety of opportunities to handle and learn more about the art of falconry. Visitors particularly like their Hawk on Walks activity, which involves walking through woodland on the Albrighton Estate at Battlefield accompanied by a falconer and a Harris Hawk.
Battlefield Falconry Centre
Address: Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury, England
Website: Battlefield Falconry Centre
6. The Quarry

Just minutes away from Shrewsbury town center, you can escape into the countryside with a visit to The Quarry. Created in 1719, it covers acres of stunning natural beauty with attractive walks around the River Severn. One of its most popular features is the pretty Dingle flower garden, inspired by the legendary gardener, Percy Thrower. It also happens to host live music events and flower shows, so it’s worth checking out their events calendar before you go.
The Quarry
Address: Shrewsbury SY1 1JA, England
Website: The Quarry
7. Sabrina Boat Trip
Posted by Sabrina Boat on Thursday, 11 May 2017
What better way to see Shrewsbury, than to take a boat trip along the River Severn. Jump on board with a friendly crew and captain who will keep you entertained with historical stories and interesting facts about Shrewsbury’s landmarks as you glide through the local scenery. If you’ve never been to Shrewsbury before, this is a great introduction to what the area has on offer, especially with a glass of wine on hand as you sail along!
Sabrina Boat Trip
Address: Victoria Quay, Shrewsbury SY1 1HH, England
Website: Sabrina Boat Trip
8. Shrewsbury Abbey
This was once the richest Benedictine monastery in England and has survived a great deal of history from the dissolution, civil war and several floods. Less than a 10 minute walk from the center, you can enter the Abbey for free although a donation is preferred. Inside you’ll read lots of interesting facts from the information boards and admire all the architectural details including some stunning stained windows. Many events are held throughout the year, so make a date in your diary.
Shrewsbury Abbey
Address: Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, England
Website: Shrewsbury Abbey
9. The Adventure Rope Course
Posted by The Adventure Rope Course on Wednesday, 7 March 2012
For the more adventurous traveler or for those who are wanting to keep the kids entertained, try out the The Adventure Rope Course. Offering 100s of varying activities and abilities, it makes for a fun day out trying something new. Choose from adventure tunnels, parachute jumps, abseiling or have a go on the giant swing. With great instructors and a well organized program there’s no pressure to complete, just have yourself some fun!
The Adventure Rope Course
Address: The Albrighton Hall Hotel & Spa, Albrighton, Shrewsbury SY4 3AG, England
Website: The Adventure Rope Course
10. Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
Posted by Wroxeter Roman Vineyard on Saturday, 3 October 2015
Despite its relatively small size, the Wroxeter Roman Vineyard offers a wealth of information to create a unique experience. In addition to the actual wine tasting, you’ll take a walk through the vines and learn about their varieties, and hear about local recipes and the equipment used to make wine. The owner, Martin, is both knowledgeable and passionate about his vineyard, so you’ll feel right at home trying out his samples of wine. You can also choose different packages to make the most of your day out.
Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
Address: Wroxeter near Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury SY5 6PQ, England
Website: Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
Step back in time on your Shrewsbury vacation
Whether you want to simply stroll along the Severn River, spend a night in a jailhouse or meander through historic and beautiful buildings, Shrewsbury offers a great amount of fun for tourists on their holiday.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Google ×