20 Attractions to Explore Near Shrewsbury Castle

The Soldiers of Shropshire Museum at Shrewsbury Castle houses spectacular military collections charting nearly 300 years of British Army evolution, seen through the eyes of the Shropshire Soldier. The Museum is also home to the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire's Collection and a Modern Army Display. The Museum has one of the most complete and comprehensive Regimental Collections in the UK.

Shrewsbury Prison is a recently decommissioned Victorian jail where you can walk in the footsteps of our social history and listen whilst an ex prison officer shines a light on what life was like for both the incarcerated and those who guarded them through the ages. It is now open to the public as an interactive tourism destination, The Campbell Group runs guided tours, ghost tours and various activities throughout the 4 acre-site.

The church of St Mary's is one of the tallest in England and for over 500 years it has dominated the skyline of Shrewsbury's old town. The church is now the only complete medieval church in Shrewsbury. It dates from Saxon times and has beautiful additions from the twelfth-century onwards. It was now one of the iconic attraction in this area as well as a pilgrimage site.

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery sits proudly in the town square and is the county’s flagship museum and art gallery. You can find a full programme of activities including courses, workshops for schools, film showings, weekly toddler groups, holiday activities and one-off incredible events inspired by our temporary exhibitions programme. After 160 years and two subsequent homes the museum returned to Vaughan's Mansion and the Music Hall Complex after a major redevelopment of the site.

Shrewsbury Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is located to the east of the town centre on the site of an earlier wooden Saxon church. It was founded in 1083 by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury as a Benedictine Monastery. It grew to be one of the most important and influential abbeys in England, and an important centre of pilgrimage. Although much of the Abbey was destroyed in the 16th century, the nave survived as a parish church, and today serves as the mother

St Chad's Church is renowned for its rich history, military links, iconic Georgian architecture and varied music programme including popular free Friday lunchtime concerts. It is an inclusive church making everyone welcome especially children and young families. As a Fair Trade church, it supports Fair Trade in the world and social with strong support for organisations such as Amnesty International.

The Quarry is Shrewsbury's beautiful, 29-acre parkland, encircled by the majestic loop of the river Severn. The Quarry has been Shrewsbury's most important site for recreation since the 16th Century. It still provides the perfect place to relax, enjoy walks, picnic, fish along the banks of the River Severn, or just let off steam. One of the iconic location where you can spend some good time in the middle of nature.

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings is the world’s first iron-framed building and forerunner of today’s skyscrapers. One of the most important buildings of the industrial revolution, it reflects a time when Shropshire led the way in engineering. Abandoned and derelict for 30 years, restoration work is now taking place to save this remarkable industrial building and to bring the site back into use as a centre for culture and creative industries.

Haughmond Hill is a large woodland that is very popular with dog walkers and visitors wanting easy walks with nice views. It has many rough paths, two surfaced trails and a good car park. The hill has several dubious connections with the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. Queen Eleanor's Bower is a small enclosure on the hill from which the wife of Henry IV of England supposedly watched the battle's progress.

Battlefield Falconry Centre has a wonderful collection of over 30 birds, and a good variety of species of owl, hawk, and falcon. There is a Hawk Walk, a Bird of Prey Experience, and a Bird Handling session to choose from, all of which give older kids a chance to get close to, and even fly some beautiful birds. Full training and equipment are provided, plus some interesting information about the birds from the experienced falconer.

Haughmond Abbey is a ruined 12th-century Augustinian abbey in a lovely rural setting. The abbey roots go back to the 11th century when a small religious community was established here. The buildings fell into disrepair and the church was largely destroyed, although the remains of some of the domestic buildings remain impressive. The site is now in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public during the summer.

Attingham Park is an English country house and estate in Shropshire. Located near the village of Atcham, on the B4380 Shrewsbury to Wellington road. It is owned by the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building. The Estate comprises roughly 4,000 acres, but during the early 1800s extended to twice that amount at 8,000 acres. The extensive 640 acres parkland and gardens of Attingham have a Grade II* Listed status.

The National Trust's Cronkill House on the Attingham Park Estate, Shropshire, is an Italianate villa designed by John Nash. It stands proudly on a hillside with stunning views across the Attingham Estate. Discover this striking house, stroll around the gardens and enjoy one of Shropshire’s hidden gems.

Discover urban-living 2,000 years ago at Viriconium - once the fourth largest city in Roman Britain. Wander the remains of the bathhouse and explore a reconstructed town house from a city which was almost as large as Pompeii. Discover the daily lives of the people who lived here with the audio tour and through their objects - found here and on display in the museum.

The impressive ruins of Moreton Corbet Castle are the product of over 500 years of building. The earliest surviving remains are those of a stone castle begun in about 1200, including a fine gatehouse. The ruins are from two different eras: a medieval stronghold and an Elizabethan era manor house. The buildings have been out of use since the 18th century.

The Wrekin is an iconic hill located near Telford, Shropshire. The wooded ridge offers a challenging but manageable climb and beautiful natural surroundings. The hill is popular for walkers and tourists, and rising to a height of 407 metres, offers great views of Shropshire.

Ercall Hill, is a small hill in the ceremonial county of Shropshire, England. It is located between The Wrekin and Wellington, in the Telford & Wrekin borough. It is regarded as an internationally important geological site, which is part of The Wrekin and The Ercall Site of Special Scientific Interest. It bears the marks of extensive quarrying, although the quarries are now disused, safe and open to the public.

The National Trust's Sunnycroft, Shropshire, is a rare Victorian suburban villa and mini-estate with five acres of garden. The house is packed full with everyday items belonging to the families who lived here, The grounds are a mini estate with pigsties, stables, kitchen garden, orchards, conservatory, flower garden and superb Wellingtonia avenue. Enjoy a refreshments in the period tea-room.

The National Trust's Sunnycroft, Shropshire, is a rare Victorian suburban villa and mini-estate with five acres of garden. The house belonged to the Lander family from its completion in 1899 until its transfer to the National Trust in 1997. The house is packed full with everyday items belonging to the families who lived here, The grounds are a mini estate with pigsties, stables, kitchen garden, orchards, conservatory, flower garden and superb Wellingtonia avenue. Enjoy a refreshments in the per