Nearby Attractions
- Shrewsbury Castle
Downtown
City Name: Shrewsbury town
Direction from City Center to Hotel: North
Distance from Hotel: 2 MI/ 3.22 KM
Local
Convenience Store: 2 MI/ 3.22 KM South
Golf: 6.1 MI/ 9.82 KM South
Must See
It's only 25 minutes' drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge, but it takes a day to fully explore this "birthplace of industry". There you can see where the Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century, and visit a fascinating cluster of museums and historic markers around the world's first iron bridge of its kind, which still proudly spans the River Severn.
Must Do
Charles Darwin is Shrewsbury's favourite son, and there are tributes all around town to the great naturalist and pioneer of evolutionary theory. You can visit Darwin's childhood home, the Mount, and walk the "Thinking Path" where he strolled with his father every morning to stimulate his brain. Ask our staff about booking a guided Darwin Walk, organised through Shrewsbury Information Centre.
Don't Go Home Without
The main entrance and some front-facing guestrooms of Holiday Inn Express® Shrewsbury hotel look out towards the Wrekin. This ancient hill marks the boundary of Shropshire and offers a great view of the surrounding countryside. It's an easy hike to the top, where an Iron Age hill fort stands beside a modern transmitting station – a fitting spot to contemplate the age and beauty of the landscape.
Smart Tips
While England and Wales are not (yet) renowned for their wines, high-quality grapes are grown only 10 minutes' drive from the hotel at Wroxeter Roman Vineyard. The Roman Empire planted vines in the area 2,000 years ago, and this family-run farm has revived the tradition. You can take a tour and taste a little Noble Roman and Shropshire Gold, just two of the vintages on offer.