Shropshire towns

Shropshire is remarkable for its towns, many of them market centres with histories that stretch back hundreds of years.

The county town of Shrewsbury lies squarely in the middle of Shropshire and was once of critical economic and military importance for the whole of England. Its fascinating history is written on the buildings from different periods that line its streets.

Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and the other larger towns have similar stories to tell, as do smaller towns such as Bishop's Castle, Much Wenlock and Shifnal. The cluster of old towns and villages that make up modern Telford also have their own unique tales, notably Wellington and Newport. But these are just a few examples.

The wealth of historic buildings in Shropshire has to be seen to be believed, and the towns in which many of them are found are in themselves a step back in time. Most have existed since the Middle Ages and some go back to Roman times. Despite fire, war and weather they have retained a character and consistency not widely found around the country.

Shropshire's markets can be traced back to the 12th Century. Oswestry's market is first mentioned in a royal charter in the 1190s, Shrewsbury's is mentioned in 1205, while Bishop's Castle was granted its market charter in 1278.

To find out more about towns and villages in Shropshire, follow the links on this page.

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