Know the features and facilities that attract visitors to UK destinations - Travel and Tourism - page 113

Range of attractions
Shrewsbury has a wide range of attractions that are visited by UK and overseas visitors to the town, as well
as local people. The following is a selection of some of the most popular attractions, with details of their
appeal to different visitor t y pes.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery (formerly Rowley's House Museum)
This sixteenth century timber-frame d warehouse and stone mansion of 1618 houses a range of exhibits,
including information on the Romans in Shropshire, life in medieval Shrewsbury, Shropshire wildlife, geology,
costume and prehistory. Operated by Shrewsbury Museums Service, the museum welcomes all visitors to
Shrewsbury - individuals, groups and educational parties. However, the nature of the building means that
there is limited access for visitors with mobility problems.
Shrewsbury Castle and Shropshire R eg imental Museum
This imposing red, sandstone castle guards the northern ap p roaches to Shrewsbury, with the Castle grounds
including the site of the fi rst Norman castle. The Castle h o uses the Regimental Museum, which includes
collections from the eighteenth century to present day camp a igns. Owned and managed by Shrewsbury
Museums Service, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, t he collections are displayed and managed
by Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust. The Castle welcomes a ll visitors to Shrewsbury and there is good
access to much of the site and buildings for visitors with mobility problems. The attraction is licensed for
civil weddings, with the grounds providing a pleasant setting for p h otographs. Outdoor theatre events are
staged at the Castle during the Shrewsbury Summer Season.
Shrewsbury Abbey
Shrewsbury Abbey was founded in 1083 by the Norman Roger de Montgome r y and started life as a small,
wooden, Saxon chapel of St. Peter. Today the Abbey stands on a large, harp - shaped green planted with
trees and laid out with gravestones. The noble west tower, with its large stained g lass window, was built in
the fourteenth century in the reign of Edward II whose statue can be seen above t he window. Shrewsbury
Abbey is the historic setting for Ellis Peters' fi ctional stories of Brother Cadfael, wh i ch has been made into
a TV programme. Visitors come from all over the world to follow in the footsteps of t h is popular medieval
'detective'.
Coleham Pumping Station
This attraction houses a steam restoration project in progress. Open days are held during the summer months
to view the Victorian sewage pumping house and the two beam engines. The site is owned and managed by
Shrewsbury Museums Service with assistance from the Shrewsbury Steam Trust. Individuals and gr o ups are
welcome to visit on the open days and there is ramped access for people with mobility problems.