Shropshire -

a brief description

Shropshire is a very special county. One of the biggest in the United Kingdom, it covers 1,348 square miles (3491 square kilometres) and is divided almost in half by the River Severn. The southern and western borders are shared with the neighbouring counties of Powys and Hereford and Worcester, an area of hilly terrain known as The Marches.

Travelling from east to west through Shropshire offers a variety of landscapes. In the east vast areas of green countryside, with hills forming a shapely backcloth, can be seen merging in the west of the county with majestical valleys, each with its own individual characteristics.

Throughout the county are scattered small villages and hamlets, many of which are accessed through winding country lanes. This diversion from the main roads through routes taking one to visit such villages, usually proves very worthwhile. Many villages, along with numerous attractive and historical buildings, have at their centre a church, with a wealth of history to be uncovered. The Shropshire Family History Society is diligently working to record the many historical facts that are attributed to the county’s churches.

Shropshire has many visitor attractions. There are castles, mainly built as a result of early disputes with our Welsh neighbours, stately homes, museums and parts of the county that are, in their own right, just a pleasure to visit. To find out more about all of these, please click on the appropriate button below.

Using Shropshire as a base, other adjacent counties are easily accessible, each with something to offer. Travel east to the Black Country with its famous industrial heritage, the Black Country Museum and the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Go north to the Potteries, west into Wales and visit popular coastal holiday resorts and mountainous scenery and south to Hereford and Worcester with its Cathedral and beautiful countryside. Within a reasonable travelling distance from Shropshire there is much to enjoy.

Shropshire is divided into six Districts, each governed by its own Council. Shifnal lies in the Bridgnorth District.

The districts of Shropshire
(The boundaries between the districts are not shown precisely)

In 1991, the county’s population was a little over 400,000. Approximately one third of its residents live in the Telford and Wrekin District, which is the smallest district in the County. This concentration of people is due to the creation of the successful new town of Telford, which has attracted high profile, commercial investment, resulting in substantial growth.

Both Oswestry and South Shropshire in 1991 accommodated less than 10% of the population. Due to its much greater size, the latter was more sparsely populated than the rest of the County, a trend that is prevalent at the present time.

It is hoped that you enjoy your browse around Shropshire and that you will be encouraged to visit some of the many places that are identified on this website.

To see a tourist web site about any of the counties or about Birmingham
shown on the following map, click on it.

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Items of interest in Shropshire		Items relating to the town
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