Places to visit in Shropshire

Start your list of things to do in Shropshire at Market Drayton, in the north of the county. Incredibly, this quintessential market town has held its namesake market since the 13th century. Take a walk around the town with its cattle market, museum and Grand Union Canal.

Next, take a short drive north-west, to another of Shropshire’s best towns to visit, Whitchurch. This historic market town was built on a Roman site and is full of independent shops and restaurants – pop in for a home-made gourmet pie and shop for gifts and pantry staples at eco-friendly store Refill Your Boots.

Heading south-west towards Oswestry, stop at Ellesmere, another top thing to do in North Shropshire. Shropshire’s own Lake District, Ellesmere is surrounded by nine lakes – or meres – which are perfect for wandering around, relaxing in, or enjoying a picnic.

From Ellesmere, it’s a short hop to Oswestry, on the Welsh border. This market town is full of pubs and restaurants and even has its own heritage train, the Cambrian Heritage Railways. Take a short trip or walk to Old Oswestry, the Iron Age hillfort, for beautiful views.

Finally, it’s time to relax in style. Head to the grand Hawkstone Hall Hotel & Gardens, an 18th-century mansion set in 35 hectares (88 acres) of grounds, for a evening of fine-dining in one of Shropshire’s most lavish restaurants, followed by a regal overnight stay.

Head to Shropshire’s top shopping spot, Shrewsbury. This medieval market town is one of Shropshire’s biggest attractions, stuffed with shops and eateries tucked down its crooked streets. Surrounded by the River Severn, it has more than its fair share of its full of historical sites, including the birthplace of Charles Darwin, and you can take a walk around the town on the Darwin Shrewsbury Trail.

Visit Shrewsbury Castle and discover its 1,000 years of history. A popular thing to do is climb its walls for spectacular views of the town. Then, head into the free Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery and see the town’s history, from Roman tombstones to Tudor treasures.

The best way to see the sights of the pretty town, and one of its most popular attractions, is via a boat trip on the river. Float along the River Severn with Sabrina boat tours.

Leaving modern-day Shrewsbury behind for a moment, travel back in time at another of Shropshire’s attractions, Wroxeter – or Viroconium Cornoviorum. No, we can’t pronounce it either. You’ll be speechless at the sight of one of the largest cities in Roman Britain, including a reconstructed town house, a museum and giant games, including Roman-themed snakes and ladders.

Finally, just outside of the town, in the village of Upton Magna, you’ll find one of the best restaurants in Shrewsbury. At The Hafren restaurant you can enjoy finely crafted food from local producers such as chalk stream trout, pastrami and burgers made with local Longhorn beef.

Day three is devoted to Shropshire’s most popular thing to do – a visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge. This world-famous tourist location, widely considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, is home to 10 museums. But first, of course, you must see the famous bridge itself, which was built in 1779.

Next, visit Ironbridge Valley of Invention’s popular museums. Join a ceramic workshop at the Coalbrookdale China Museum; visit the Blists Hill Victorian Town to experience what life was like in 1900 or tour the Jackfield Tile Museum, sartorial heaven for interior design fans.

Just south-west of Ironbridge, you’ll come to the tiny town of Much Wenlock. Slightly off the beaten track, it’s worth adding to your list of things to do, because of its fascinating Olympic connection (the Wenlock Olympian Games began here in 1850). Wander the streets and learn more in the Much Wenlock Museum.

Continuing south-east, you’ll arrive in Bridgnorth, where you can rest your legs by climbing on board the heritage railway attraction, the Severn Valley Railway. Take a scenic journey through Shropshire and Worcestershire, from a short return journey to a longer day out.

Finally, steam over to Eaton Manor Country Estate, where you’ll find multiple luxury holiday cottages, set in 200 hectares (500 acres) of glorious countryside. Perfect for those looking for the more peaceful attractions the county has to offer. A local dairy with a milk vending machine and farm shop are close by, for home-grown supplies.

A 10-minute drive from Eaton Manor brings you to Church Stretton. This small market town sits in an idyllic spot in the heart of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafes in which to enjoy brunch, such as Berry’s Coffee House, which uses organic and free-range produce from local suppliers.

One of the best things to do in Shropshire is a walk in the countryside and this is just the ideal place to do it. Explore the two local nature reserves by the town, covering 80 hectares (200 acres). The woodland walk has been described as the ‘most tranquil place in Britain’. There are short or long walks for all levels.

Next, visit Stokesay Castle, the medieval manor house with a fairy-tale tower giving fabulous views over the hills. Explore the unchanged great hall and admire the characters carved into the timbers of the gatehouse. Constructed at the end of the 13th century, the manor house is now run by English Heritage; it’s one of Shropshire’s top things to do.

You couldn’t come to Shropshire and not visit its famous medieval town of Ludlow, which tops the list of foodie things to do in Shropshire. Some of the many attractions in Ludlow include its historic streets and 11th-century Ludlow Castle.

However, Ludlow’s most famous attraction is its food and drink. So finish the getaway with a gourmet flourish by heading to one of its fabulous eateries, from the Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Charlton Arms, to Mortimers fine-dining restaurant.