Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury in Shropshire lies on the River Severn and is just 9 miles from the Welsh border. It is a popular place for tourists and is an old medieval town with a wealth of fine architecture and picturesque city landscapes.

The wool trade provided the wealth for the town which was founded in around 900. Little has changed in the town over the centuries since its prime and it has certainly resisted the temptation of modernisation. With a population of around 72,000 it is often referred to as the 'Gateway to Wales' and many of its visitors will certainly be stopping on route to or from Wales.

The town has many pleasant side streets with good shopping facilities and some magnificent old pubs. At the centre of the town there is a large riverside park which is extremely popular during the summer months.

Each year Shrewsbury is the venue for the Annual Flower Show in mid August. This two day event attracts thousands of visitors and at the end of both days there is a spectacular firework display.

For more photographs of Shrewsbury click here or view on You Tube

 

Sunnycroft

Victorian villa and one of the few remaining gentleman's houses of the Victorian age. Intact with much of the original furnishings and trappings of the period. Interesting grounds and outhouses.

For more photographs of Sunnycroft click here

Sunnycroft,  200 Holyhead Road, Wellington, TF1 2DR. Tel:01952 242884

The Wrekin

The Wrekin is a large hill with a fort in the county of Shropshire.  Just 4 miles west of Telford the hill fort is a well preserved example and the large wooded expanse of land is very popular with walkers and tourists. Some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside can be observed from The Wrekin.

A local saying which refers to the long distance it takes to walk around the hill, ' All around the Wrekin' and is often used to describe someone who is taking too long to explain something.

For more photos of Telford and the Wrekin click here

Wroxeter

Wroxeter is a village in the county of Shropshire, England, on the east bank of the River Severn, at grid reference SJ563082. It is located on the site of the Roman city of Viroconium, which was once one of the largest cities in England but fell into decline once the Roman Empire left Britain around 410 AD.

Some impressive standing ruins from Viroconium are located just outside the village, where there is a also a small museum. There is a vineyard in the village, which is the only commercial one in the county and since 2004 holds the record for growing the most northerly red wine grapes in the world.

Wroxeter is about 5 miles south-east of the town of Shrewsbury and is near to the village of Atcham. The Royal Mail postcode begins SY4.

One of the largest Roman cities in the UK is thought to have been Wroxeter or Viroconium. It would have been surrounded by walls and would have had a population of around 5000. Wroxeter Roman city is still being excavated by archeologists and is looked after by English Heritage.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Just up the road from the Roman ruins is the Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, the most northerly vineyard in the UK producing fine quality wines. This is a family run business and there is a shop on the farm where you can taste the wine and buy a few bottles.

http://www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk/

For more photos of Wroxeter click here

RAF Cosford Museum

The Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford helps to preserve the history of aviation for future generations. The documentation of the history of the Royal Air Force is an integral part of museum's work which is sponsored by the Department for Culture.

The museum at Cosford was opened in 1979 prior to which it had been used to house a collection of old aircraft. The British Airways collection was also housed here until the company withdrew funding.

A variety of aircraft are on permanent display here and not all are British. Visitors can see German, American and Japanese aircraft as well as some exhibits from Argentina.

Additional features include a missile collection, transport section and aircraft engines. A good family day out or a plane spotters paradise.

RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP. Tel: 01902 376200

www.rafmuseum.org.uk