The Friends of the RWA are delighted to offer Friends members a trip to Shrewsbury! Shrewsbury has been voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK. Come with us and enjoy discovering its delights, including over 660 listed buildings, mostly Tudor or Georgian. There are also plenty of retail opportunities and places to eat. Highlights include Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Castle with panoramic views over the Severn and Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Shrewsbury Abbey: A Benedictine Monastery founded in 1083, most of the original building survives in the present Abbey Church. There are memorial tablets to parishioners who died in WW1, including Wilfred Owen, with a sculpture dedicated to him.  The Abbey is the setting for the Ellis Peters’ “Brother Cadfael” mysteries!

Shrewsbury Castle: The castle’s elevated position offers panoramic views over Shrewsbury and the winding River Severn, while the tranquil Castle Gardens, provide a peaceful retreat from the bustling town centre.  One of the first Norman castles built in 1067, it was greatly extended around 1070 as a base for operations into Wales, an administrative centre and as a defensive fortification for the town.  The castle houses the Soldiers of Shropshire museum: entry £4.50 (£3.50 concessions)

Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery: The museum is in the centre of Shrewsbury housed in a Victorian building, formerly The Music Hall.  The Gallery is strong in decorative art, especially ceramics, including Caughley Blue & White Ware, Coalport porcelain, and tiles by Maws & Co. There is small collection of rare lustre glazed vases by Walter Crane. Entrance is free and there is a café.

Other Shrewsbury attractions include: 

• The Quarry Park, a beautiful area of Parkland, with a sunken garden cultivated by Percy Thrower.
• Darwin’s birth place at 2 the Mount, where the grounds and the outside of the house can be viewed.
• The Quantum Leap is a contemporary sculpture in the town centre, unveiled in 2009 to celebrate the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth.
• Boat trips are available around the “Severn Loop”.

Timings:

• Arrival in Shrewsbury: 11:30am  
• Departure: 16:30
• Arrival back in Bristol: 19:00

How do I book and what happens next? 

Use this page to select your ticket option, as either a FRWA member or non member. If you are experiencing issues with this webpage, you can also book in person via the RWA Welcome Desk. We are no longer able to process payment by cheque. 

You will receive confirmation of your payment automatically from the RWA. The T&V organiser for Shrewsbury will then be in contact within a week of your booking.

Click here for more information about the recent changes to Friends Trips and Visits. 

Refunds: You can access a full refund up to 14 days in advance of the event if you choose not to attend. The last available day for refunds for this trip is Thursday 26 February