Exploring Shrewsbury in Shropshire: A run along the river Severn

Such a beautiful place, it reminded me of Chester with the river and all the 15th/16th Century half timber buildings. There’s a lot to see and I point out a number of the sights. Apologies I ran right past the Quantum Leap Sculpture. 

We start out of town at Ditherington at the Flaxmill which I believe is the worlds oldest steel framed building dating to 1797 we then head into the town along the Old Shrewsbury Canal. The canal has been filled in, all that’s left is a path beating a direct path into the town. We pass the prison which closed in 2013 and is now open to the public, you can explore the cells and yard. We then reach the train station and head onto Dana Walk, from here you can see the castle which dates to 1067 and see the Butter Market which was once a market at the end of the canal where produce was sold when it arrived by canal. 

We follow the path beside the castle into the town proper pausing to look at the statue of Darwin who was born and raised in the town. We head through the town centre and the oldest part of the town Mardol with its half timber frame buildings before crossing Welsh Bridge into Frankwell and following the river to Doctors field and climb the bank for views across to the Showground. 

We pass close to Darwins House, The Mount and rejoin the river by Porthill Suspension Bridge and then head back to English Bridge near Shrewsbury Abbey then head through Abbey Gardens a pocket garden with several old sculptures, I believe the story is they were found here as it used to be a masons yard. We then cross the river one last time before heading back towards Ditherington.

The Route

Starting from Ditherington Flaxmill take the Old Shrewsbury canal path opposite and follow it to New park Road, turn left then immediately right into Beacall’s Lane.  At the end go straight on crossing the bridge onto Dana Walk coming out on Castle Street. Turn left and head through the town centre going straight on along Pride Hill and Mardol Head then turn right down Mardol (by the market) and follow it down the hill to Mardol Bridge.Note there is a sculpture here ‘quantum leap’ celebrating Darwins 200th birthday which I missed.

Cross the road and head over Welsh Bridge then turn right along the river all the way to Doctor’s Field. There was a diversion in operation on my visit and I had to head up Hunter Street, right onto Alma Street then right Mount Street to avoid a short section that was closed. 

At Doctors Field turn left up the bank to The Mount and turn right at Darwins House turn left down Nealors Lane. At the end turn left on Copthorne Road then right on Pengwern Road. At the end turn left on Porthole road and then at the bridge turn right beside the river and follow it coming out on Pengrove. Turn left then left into Kingsland Road then left onto Longden Coleman. At the end turn left into Coleman Head and follow it to English Bridge. Go straight on through Abbey Gardens and beside the river then bear left going under the railway bridge. At the crossroads in the path turn left crossing the river and head up Dorset Street. Now pick up the path marked for Ditherington which will bring you back to New Park Road and back the way we came down the old canal.