In January I visited Jayne, the friend from New Zealand who had started me on the road to years of enjoyment on the croquet lawns in New Zealand (and
occasionally in Scotland). She was staying with her sister and her partner near Shrewsbury. I had stayed there with them before and they are wonderful hosts.
We decided on a visit to Shrewsbury which is the delightful historic county town of Shropshire in England with lots to see. It’s a town I have only visited once recently (with Jayne) although I've spent time there in my younger days.
I will share some of the things I think may be of interest over the next few posts.
I have no idea at all what the first building is or was or even if it's one of the 660+ Listed Buildings in the town. It was certainly a curiosity though.
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| This house is a private residence in the town centre |
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| Café |
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| Bear Steps between Fish Street and Grope Lane |
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| Old Market Hall (which has been converted upstairs into a cinema and coffee shop). |
The first building is unique. I was thinking it was a bank but perhaps not.
ReplyDeleteYes Adrian I wondered about a bank or a pub but I've not been able to find anything on line so far.
DeleteNow that is my kind of town. Grope Lane? Is that where the town's "lads" hang out I wonder. Do your usual "thing" Graham and Google the answer x.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Shrewsbury information office Pat "People will tell you that its name originated from the fact that folk had to ‘grope’ their way along it. Or of course the more popular version of the story is that the lane was once a ‘Red Light’ district, and its name is a description of the antics that took place after dark!"
DeleteI prefer the second version!
DeleteShropshire is one of England's loveliest counties. Tucked away as it is between Birmingham and the Welsh hills, it sometimes feels like a secret area that is less visited than it should be and Shrewsbury itself is a very fine town. I tried to do some online research about the featured building but couldn't pin it down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you YP although a few mountains would enhance it in my eyes. Thanks for the research I'd be interested if you ever did come across the answer.
DeleteLooks like the kind of town where I'd enjoy just strolling around... The name rings very familiar but I'm not sure why. I don't think I've ever been there... Maybe I read some book set there?
ReplyDeleteMonica it's a great place for strolling and there are so many old buildings of interest.
DeleteI love Shrewbury. We used to stay in a delightful book-lined B&B in deep countryside just outside, and go walking. We always enjoyed visiting the town. I'm sure you had a great time there.
ReplyDeleteFrances I always enjoy visiting Shrewsbury too and, yes, I did have a great time thanks.
DeleteThe bench on the roof! Who sits there, and what do they see from up there when they do?
ReplyDeleteIt's picturesque and quirky at the same time, this Shrewsbury.
Meike there's lots of quirkiness in Shrewsbury as you say.
DeleteI'm always impressed when old buildings are kept. They contain a great story
ReplyDeleteThere's lots more old buildings to see in Shrewsbury Red and I plan to show a few more.
DeleteHow àm I going to contain myself for the next half year? I can't wait to visit places like that! Fabulous buildings and great street names.
ReplyDeleteSo much anticipation Pauline. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
DeleteIs there a swimming pool up there on the roof? It does look a little strange with a beautiful wrought iron fence and bench. Who in the world would think of doing that? Maybe it was a lookout during the war? Odd!
ReplyDeletePeace I think it's just a flight of fancy. I don't think there's enough room for anything more than a large hot tub and that would probably be too heavy.
DeleteThe first building looks like something from Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang, as if it were designed by Caractacus Potts. I love the roof top garden, with its park bench. That's the sort of place I dreamt about when I was a kid, and wanted someplace that belonged only to me! (Which is rather puzzling, as my family was really pretty nice!) xoxo DeeDee
ReplyDeleteDeeDee the first building is rather Caractacus Potts isn't it. I hadn't made that connection. It certainly took my fancy.
DeleteI would love to see Shrewsbury, those steps so worn down by all the feet from how many years?
ReplyDeleteLike DawnTreader, Shrewsbury sounds familiar to me also, I wonder why?
Kay you would love Shrewsbury. I is a wonderful old town - in fact Shropshire is a lovely county (though one without mountains!).
DeleteThere's a delightful garden down by the river too, called something cute like Dingle Dell I think, though of course this is the wrong time of year for it. A very nice town.
ReplyDeleteHelsie I've got a feeling that I took photos of Dingle Dell some time ago. I must try and remember to look them out. Note made - just have to do something about it!
DeleteI love the quaintness of this town...thank you for sharing your lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteShrewsbury immediately brought to mind "The Taming of the Shrew" please don't ask me why..
The first building looks magical like something from one of Enid Blyton's books.
Virginia It is a very quaint town and I think you would relate to it well if you landed there.
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