Shrewsbury Abbey

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All that remains of a vast, cruciform Benedictine monastery founded in 1083 is the lovely red-sandstone Shrewsbury Abbey. Twice used for meetings of the English Parliament, the abbey church lost its spire and two wings when the monastery was dissolved in 1540. It sustained further damage in 1826 when engineer Thomas Telford ran the London–Holyhead road right through the grounds. Nevertheless, you can still see some impressive Norman, Early English and Victorian features, including an exceptional 14th-century west window.

It's famous as the setting for Ellis Peters' historical murder-mystery novels, Chronicles of Brother Cadfael.

Details of free weekly summertime concerts are posted on its website.

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Nearby attractions

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Built in 1793, this was a working prison as recently as 2013. Today tours are led by former prison guards: when you arrive, you're 'processed' as a…

2. St Mary's Church

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The fabulous interior of this tall-spired medieval church contains an impressive collection of stained glass, including a 1340 window depicting the Tree…

3. St Alkmund's Church

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Dating from 912, St Alkmund's Church today is part medieval and part Georgian.

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Hewn from flaking red Shropshire sandstone, the town castle contains the Shropshire Regimental Museum. There are fine views from Laura's Tower and the…

5. Charles Darwin Statue

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The town's most famous son, naturalist Charles Darwin, was born in the Mount in Shrewsbury's Frankwell area in 1809. He's commemorated by a statue outside…

6. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

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Built in imposing neoclassical style in 1785, Attingham Park looks like something straight out of a period drama with its grand columned facade, manicured…

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