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Shrewsbury Leasing

Did You Know?

Shrewsbury is home to 660 listed buildings and most famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin. His statue sits outside the Library, the building that was once his school.

Shrewsbury is a vibrant town with a long distinguished history. First recorded in a Charter of 901, the town developed as a market town aided by the natural defensive qualities of a large meander in the River Severn.

The oldest substantial surviving buildings in the town are Shrewsbury Castle and Abbey, together with a number of churches and the town walls. The town flourished commercially during the 13th century, mainly from the wool trade, and a number of friaries were founded.

Various theories exist as to the early history of the castle, but it is probable that a timber structure within earth ramparts was built around 1070-80 by Roger of Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury was probably founded as a town in the 8th century by the Saxon rulers of Mercia, who needed a fortified burh to control the Severn river-crossing on the road between the burhs of Hereford and Chester.

Time. One of the largest productions to be filmed at Shrewsbury Prison was the BBC's multi-BAFTA award-winning series Time. Starring Sean bean and Stephen Graham, the production ran for 8 weeks in the prison.

As a whole Shrewsbury is a very wealthy town, benefiting from being the trading capital of the county given its place on the river, and during the Industrial Revolution, its proximity to the 'birthplace of industry' in Coalbrookdale and its position as the 'gateway to Wales' via the railway network.

This name gradually evolved in three directions, into Sciropscire, which became Shropshire; into Sloppesberie, which became Salop / Salopia (an alternative name for both town and county), and into Schrosberie, which eventually became the town's name, Shrewsbury.

Originating near the town of Llanidloes, mid-Wales the River Severn dramatically loops through Shrewsbury before passing through Worcester and Gloucester, eventually discharging into the Bristol Channel. Sabrina, as she's known, is the longest river in the UK.

In 1984, A Christmas Carol, starring George C Scott, was filmed on location in Shrewsbury. Each December a series of guided walks take place, exploring the streets and buildings that were used in the making of the film.

The Golden Cross is reputed to be the oldest licensed Public House in the town and records show that it was used as an inn as far back as 1428, some years before the introduction of formal licensing.

Lord Michael Heseltine CH attended Shrewsbury School from 1947 –51. Lord Heseltine is one of the UK's most well-known politicians. An MP from 1966-2001, Lord Heseltine was also a Cabinet Minister in various departments and Deputy Prime Minister under John Major

The club are nicknamed Salop, meaning 'from Shropshire' the county in which the town is based. In 1972 it became the official county nickname but has been that of the football club for some time.