Scooped in the loop of the River Severn, Shrewsbury is a town oozing with history. Whether from the comfort of your home, whilst out and about or commuting, be transported to the heart of Shrewsbury with the new SO Stories audio tours.
Episodes
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Welcome to this fun tour of Milk Street and Wyle Cop, we have a great walk for you to take! Your tour guide today is Dr Nigel Baker, one of Shropshire's finest archaeologists.
The start point of this tour is the far end of Milk Street, with your back against Old St Chad's and Nigel will start guiding you towards St Julian's church, across the road at the end and down Wyle Cop (sticking to the left-hand side of the street on your way down). The tour finishes at the English Bridge.
There is so much history to enjoy on this tour that it may be easy to forget that you're walking alongside one of Shrewsbury's busiest routes in and out of the town. So please be careful and make use of the crossing too.
If you enjoyed this tour, your feedback is very much appreciated. Please drop us a comment to let us know how we did. Don't forget to recommend this tour to your friends.
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Welcome to our fantastic tour of one of Shrewsbury's most important buildings, The Unitarian Church on High Street.
"Why so important?" you may ask. Well this is the church where Charles Darwin and his family would have come to and there is so much history here to uncover.
Your tour guide today is Richard Fyffe, who is a member of the congregation here and is and avid follower of the church's history.
There is a part of this tour where we take a walk upstairs. Please ask a member of the congregation and they will help you upstairs and to take a look inside the vestry too.
If you enjoyed this tour, your feedback is most welcome. Please feel free to write us a comment. Don't forget to recommend this tour to your friends.
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Welcome to our tour of Shrewsbury Library with one of Shrewsbury's most beloved tour guides, Stan Sedman.
Starting at the front of the Library, Stan starts us off with explaining that this building was once actually the site of Shrewsbury School, where Charles Darwin attended when he was a child.
Eventually Stan moves inside the library and takes us upstairs. You can find the staircase to the old school rooms on the right-hand side of the library as you walk in. The staff there are friendly and will help you if you need a hand.
Stan is the master at these tours and he hits you with facts hard. However, my advice is to take your time with this one. Pause occasionally, take a close look at the graffiti engraved into the wood up in the classroom and take a look at the views of Shrewsbury Castle, a view that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
If you enjoyed this tour, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to drop us a comment and don't forget to recommend this to your friends.
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Welcome to the tour of one of Shrewsbury's most controversial, yet fascinating places. This is the tour of Medieval Shrewsbury's red light district, Grope Lane with one of Shropshire's finest archaeologists, Dr Nigel Baker.
The starting point for this tour is on Fish Street, with your back to Bear Steps Gallery, while facing the end of Grope Lane.
This tiny little space has so much history and I think, by the time you have finished this tour you will be amazed at how so much can happen in such a tiny little place.
If you enjoyed this tour, your feedback is very must appreciated. So please leave a comment and recommend this to your friends.
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Welcome to the longest tour we have made. This is the tour of Shrewsbury Abbey with Dr Nigel Baker one of Shropshire's finest archaeologists.
We start you off underneath the Train bridge by what is now, Flaming Great pizza takeaway, face yourself at the abbey and hit play, Nigel will then guide you up to, around the back of and into the Abbey.
Afterwards you will exit the Abbey and cross the road as the tour continues across and even further down the road (to the right). Please be careful crossing. When you get to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust HQ you can enter the grounds free of charge and take a look as Nigel hits you with facts.
If you enjoyed this tour, your feedback is very much appreciated. Please leave a comment and recommend this tour to your friends!
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Explore historic St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury, home to one of the tallest spires in England. The church dates from Saxon times and has beautiful additions from the 12th-Century onwards. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful with the soaring stone arches giving way to the church's great treasure - its stained glass.
Guide by Robert Milton, local community officer for the Churches Conservation Trust
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Old St Chad’s occupies the second-highest point in Shrewsbury. The church dates to the Saxon times, around 8th century, and was known to be home to the Bishop of Mercia. Unfortunately, all that now remains is the 15th century Lady Chapel, as much of the church was demolished in 1788.
Guide by Maggie Love, local tour guide
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Take a walk through Bear Steps, Butcher’s Row, Church Street and the grounds of St Alkmund’s church, and discover their medieval history. Explore the historic heart of Shrewsbury, as you’re guided around some of our town’s most historic buildings, landmarks and streets.
Guide by Bibbs Cameron, Vice-Chairman Shrewsbury Civic Society
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Perched atop a hill overlooking the loop of the River Severn, sits the 11th century Shrewsbury Castle. Founded by Roger de Montgomery in 1074, the castle has undergone many transformations, the last one being by Thomas Telford who 'modernised' the building in the 18th century.
Guide by Nigel Baker, Lead Archaeologist at the Shrewsbury Castle excavations