# Shropshire

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County in England

This article is about the county. For the unitary authority, see [Shropshire (district)](/source/Shropshire_(district)). For other uses, see [Shropshire (disambiguation)](/source/Shropshire_(disambiguation)).

"Salopia" redirects here. For the beverage, see [Saloop](/source/Saloop).

Ceremonial county in England

Shropshire Ceremonial county The Townbrook Valley from the Long Mynd; the clock tower of Shrewsbury Market Hall; and the Iron Bridge, Ironbridge Shropshire within England Coordinates: 52°37′N 2°43′W / 52.617°N 2.717°W / 52.617; -2.717 Sovereign state United Kingdom Constituent country England Region West Midlands Established Ancient Time zone UTC+0 (GMT) • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST) UK Parliament List of MPs Police West Mercia Police Ceremonial county Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner[1] High Sheriff Katherine Elizabeth Anne Tanne[2] Area [3] 3,488 km2 (1,347 sq mi) • Rank 13th of 48 Population (2024)[3] 528,407 • Rank 41st of 48 • Density 152/km2 (390/sq mi) Unitary authorities Councils Shropshire Council Telford and Wrekin Council Districts Districts of Shropshire Unitary Districts Shropshire Telford and Wrekin

**Shropshire** ([/ˈʃrɒpʃər, -ʃɪər/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English); abbreviated **Salop**[5]) is a [ceremonial county](/source/Ceremonial_counties_of_England) in the [West Midlands](/source/West_Midlands_(region)) of England, on the [border with Wales](/source/England%E2%80%93Wales_border). It is bordered by [Cheshire](/source/Cheshire) to the north-east, [Staffordshire](/source/Staffordshire) to the east, [Worcestershire](/source/Worcestershire) to the south-east, [Herefordshire](/source/Herefordshire) to the south, and the Welsh principal areas of [Powys](/source/Powys) and [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham_County_Borough) to the west and north-west respectively. The largest settlement is [Telford](/source/Telford), while [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury) is the [county town](/source/County_town).

Shropshire has an area of 3,487 km2 (1,346 square miles) and had an estimated population of 528,407 in 2024. Telford in the east and Shrewsbury in the centre are the largest towns. Shropshire is otherwise rural, and contains [market towns](/source/Market_town) such as [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry) in the north-west, [Market Drayton](/source/Market_Drayton) in the north-east, [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth) in the south-east, and [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow) in the south. For [local government](/source/Local_government_in_England) purposes the county comprises the [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authorities_of_England) areas of [Shropshire](/source/Shropshire_(district)) and [Telford and Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin). The county [historically](/source/Historic_counties_of_England) had a [large exclave](/source/Shropshire_(Detached)) around [Halesowen](/source/Halesowen) and [Oldbury](/source/Oldbury%2C_West_Midlands), which are now in the [West Midlands](/source/West_Midlands_(county)) county.

The south-west and far west of the county are upland. The [Shropshire Hills](/source/Shropshire_Hills) occupy most of the south-west and include the [Stiperstones](/source/Stiperstones), [Clee Hills](/source/Clee_Hills), [Long Mynd](/source/Long_Mynd) plateau, and the [Wenlock Edge](/source/Wenlock_Edge) escarpment. Together with [the Wrekin](/source/The_Wrekin), which stands isolated to the west of Telford, they have been designated a [national landscape](/source/National_Landscape).[6][7] To their west is the upland [Clun Forest](/source/Clun_Forest), and in the far north-west of the county are the [Oswestry uplands](/source/Oswestry_Uplands).[8][9] The north of the county is a plain,[10] and the far north contains [Whixall Moss](/source/Whixall_Moss), part of a [national nature reserve](/source/National_nature_reserve_(United_Kingdom)).[11] The south-east is a [sandstone plateau](/source/Mid_Severn_Sandstone_Plateau) which forms part of the catchment of the [Severn](/source/River_Severn), the county's major river;[12] it enters Shropshire in the west and flows through Shrewsbury before turning south-east and exiting into Worcestershire south of Bridgnorth.

There is evidence of [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic_British_Isles) and [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age_Britain) human occupation in Shropshire, including the [Shropshire bulla](/source/Shropshire_bulla) pendant. The [hillfort](/source/Hillfort) at [Old Oswestry](/source/Old_Oswestry) dates from the [Iron Age](/source/British_Iron_Age), and the remains of the city of [Viroconium Cornoviorum](/source/Viroconium_Cornoviorum) date from the [Roman](/source/Roman_Britain) period.[13][14] During the [Anglo-Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxons) era the area was part of [Mercia](/source/Mercia). During the [High Middle Ages](/source/High_Middle_Ages) the county was part of the [Welsh Marches](/source/Welsh_Marches), the border region between Wales and England; from 1472 to 1689 Ludlow was the seat of the [Council of Wales and the Marches](/source/Council_of_Wales_and_the_Marches), which administered justice in Wales and Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.[15] During the [English Civil War](/source/English_Civil_War) Shropshire was [Royalist](/source/Cavalier), and [Charles II](/source/Charles_II_of_England) fled through the county—famously hiding in an [oak tree](/source/Royal_Oak)—after his final defeat at the [Battle of Worcester](/source/Battle_of_Worcester).[16] The area around [Coalbrookdale](/source/Coalbrookdale) is regarded as one of the birthplaces of the [Industrial Revolution](/source/Industrial_Revolution) and has been designated a UNESCO [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site).[17][18]

## History

Main article: [History of Shropshire](/source/History_of_Shropshire)

### Prehistory and antiquity

Evidence of [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) occupation of a religious form dating back before 2,000 BC, was discovered in 2017 in the grounds of a church, the medieval Church of the Holy Fathers in [Sutton](/source/Sutton_Farm), Shrewsbury, making it Britain's oldest place of worship.[19]

The [Shropshire bulla](/source/Shropshire_bulla) or sun pendant

The [Shropshire bulla](/source/Shropshire_bulla) ("bulla" is Medieval Latin for "a round seal", Classical Latin for "bubble, blob", plural bullae), also known as the Shropshire sun pendant, is a Late Bronze Age gold pendant found by a metal detectorist in 2018 in Shropshire.[20] At [Mitchell's Fold](/source/Mitchell's_Fold) there is a Bronze Age stone circle set in dramatic moorland on [Stapeley Hill](/source/Stapeley_Hill).[21]

[Mitchell's Fold](/source/Mitchell's_Fold) prehistoric stone circle

[Old Oswestry](/source/Old_Oswestry) Hillfort (aerial image)

The area was once part of the lands of the [Cornovii](/source/Cornovii_(Midlands)), which consisted of the modern day counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, north Staffordshire, north Herefordshire, and eastern parts of Powys. This was a tribal [Celtic](/source/Celtic_people) [Iron Age](/source/Iron_Age) kingdom. Their capital in pre-[Roman](/source/Roman_Empire) times was probably a [hill fort](/source/Hill_fort) on [the Wrekin](/source/The_Wrekin). There is an important Iron Age Hill fort at [Old Oswestry](/source/Old_Oswestry) earthworks, this has been linked to where [King Arthur’s](/source/King_Arthur) [Guinevere](/source/Guinevere) was born and called "the [Stonehenge](/source/Stonehenge) of the Iron Age."[22]

Ruins of [Viroconium](/source/Viroconium) bath house, (location now known as Wroxeter). This was once the 4th largest city in Roman Britain.

According to tradition, [Caratacus](/source/Caratacus) (or Caractacus) made his last stand against the Romans in Shropshire.[23] [Ptolemy](/source/Ptolemy)'s 2nd century *Geography* names one of their towns as being [Viroconium Cornoviorum](/source/Viroconium_Cornoviorum) ([Wroxeter](/source/Wroxeter)), which became their capital under [Roman rule](/source/Roman_Britain) and one of the largest settlements in Britain.

Further information: [Hollandophyton, the extinct plants](/source/Hollandophyton)

### Middle Ages

#### Early period

After the Roman occupation of Britain ended in the 5th century, the Shropshire area was in the eastern part of the Welsh [Kingdom of Powys](/source/Kingdom_of_Powys); known in Welsh poetry as the *Paradise of Powys*.

As 'Caer Guricon' it is a possible Shrewsbury was the site of the seat of the [Kingdom of Powys](/source/Kingdom_of_Powys) in the Early Middle Ages. This would date establishment of the town to the 500s CE under [Brochwel Ysgithrog](/source/Brochwel_Ysgithrog).[24][25] It is believed the area of Shrewsbury was settled in the 5th century by refugees from the nearby Roman City of [Viroconium Cornoviorum](/source/Viroconium_Cornoviorum), most physical evidence dates from the 7th century.[26]

Oswestry saw conflict in the early mediaeval period and is traditionally suspected to be the site of the [Battle of Maserfield](/source/Battle_of_Maserfield), where [Oswald of Northumbria](/source/Oswald_of_Northumbria) was defeated and killed by the forces of King Penda in 641 or 642 CE. Oswald was later regarded as a saint, with [Bede](/source/Bede) saying that the spot where he died came to be associated with [miracles](/source/Miracle), and people took dirt from the site, which led to a hole being dug as deep as a man's height.[27]

Around 680 CE [Merewalh](/source/Merewalh), a son of King Penda, founded a dual monastery for both monks and nuns at Much Wenlock.[28] One of his daughters, [Milburga](/source/Mildburh), went on to be appointed as its second abbess, and later was canonised with the site of her bones becoming a popular pilgrimage destination, with the modern pilgrimage route of the Abbesses' Way running from Wenlock Priory to Shrewsbury.[29]

[King Offa](/source/King_Offa) of [Mercia](/source/Mercia) annexed the entirety of Shropshire over the course of the 8th century from Powys, with Shrewsbury captured in 778, with [two dykes](/source/Offa's_Dyke) built to defend, or at least demarcate it from the Welsh.[30] King Offa converted the palace of the rulers of Powys into his first church, dedicated to [St Chad](/source/Chad_of_Mercia) (a foundation that still survives in the town and operated on that initial site for over 1000 years, moving in 1792).[31]

Section of [Offa's Dyke](/source/Offa's_Dyke) near the Shropshire town of [Clun](/source/Clun), constructed after the Saxon annexation of the area in the 8th century AD

In later centuries, [Vikings](/source/Viking) repeatedly invaded, with Wenlock Priory being destroyed in 874. To protect against this threat, fortresses were built at [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth) (912) and [Chirbury](/source/Chirbury) (913).[32]

The relics of [St Alkmund](/source/Alkmund_of_Derby) were brought to [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury) in the C10th, possibly by [Æthelflæd](/source/%C3%86thelfl%C3%A6d), lady of the Mercians, daughter of [Alfred the Great](/source/Alfred_the_Great).

In 914,[33][34][a] [Æthelflæd](/source/%C3%86thelfl%C3%A6d), Lady of the Mercians, fortified Shrewsbury, along with two other fortresses, at *Scergeat* (a currently unknown location) and *Weardbyrig*,[b] Viking rides from the north traveling south were reaching [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth) at this time (910CE).[36] In the early tenth century, the relics of [St Alkmund](/source/Alkmund_of_Derby) were translated to Whitchurch, this was also probably the work of Æthelflæd.[37]

There is evidence to show that by the beginning of the 900s, Shrewsbury was home to a [mint](/source/Mint_(coin)).[38]

Archaeological excavations at the site of Shrewsbury castle in 2019 have indicated that the castle itself may have been a fortified site in the time of the Saxons.[39]

#### High medieval period

After the [Norman conquest](/source/Norman_conquest_of_England) in 1066, major estates in Shropshire were granted to Normans, including [Roger de Montgomerie](/source/Roger_de_Montgomerie) and later his son [Robert de Bellême](/source/Robert_de_Bell%C3%AAme), who ordered significant constructions, particularly in Shrewsbury, the town of which he was [Earl](/source/Earl_of_Shrewsbury).[40]

Many defensive castles were built at this time across the county to defend against the Welsh and enable effective control of the region, including [Ludlow Castle](/source/Ludlow_Castle)[41] and [Shrewsbury Castle](/source/Shrewsbury_Castle).[42]

The western frontier with Wales was not finally determined until the 14th century. Also in this period, a number of religious foundations were formed, the county largely falling at this time under the [Diocese of Hereford](/source/Diocese_of_Hereford) and that of [Coventry and Lichfield](/source/Diocese_of_Coventry_and_Lichfield). Some parishes in the north-west of the county in later times fell under the [Diocese of St. Asaph](/source/Diocese_of_St._Asaph) until the [disestablishment](/source/Disestablishmentarianism) of the [Church in Wales](/source/Church_in_Wales) in 1920, when they were ceded to the Lichfield diocese.[43]

The county was a central part of the [Welsh Marches](/source/Welsh_Marches) during the medieval period and was often embroiled in the power struggles between powerful [Marcher Lords](/source/Marcher_Lords), the [Earls of March](/source/Earls_of_March) and successive monarchs.[44]

### Modern history

 [Ludlow Castle](/source/Ludlow_Castle): one of the seats of the Council of the Marches, and a long-term focus of the court around successive Princes of Wales

From 1457, [King Henry VI](/source/Henry_VI_of_England) created for his son, [Prince Edward](/source/Edward_of_Westminster%2C_Prince_of_Wales), a Council to rule Wales and the Marches, [Cheshire](/source/Cheshire), and [Cornwall](/source/Duchy_of_Cornwall), which became the Council of the Marches.[45] Shropshire was governed via this council for several centuries.

According to historian [John Davies](/source/John_Davies_(historian)), at its peak under Sir [Henry Sidney](/source/Henry_Sidney) and for a period thereafter the Council:

represented a remarkable experiment in regional government. It administered the law cheaply and rapidly; it dealt with up to twenty cases a day and [George Owen](/source/George_Owen_of_Henllys) stated that the 'oppressed poor' flocked to it.[46]

#### Civil War

Main article: [Shropshire in the English Civil War](/source/Shropshire_in_the_English_Civil_War)

During the [English Civil War](/source/English_Civil_War), Shropshire was a [Royalist](/source/Cavalier) stronghold, under the command of Sir [Francis Ottley](/source/Francis_Ottley).[47] In the autumn of 1642, [Charles I](/source/Charles_I_of_England) had a temporary capital at Shrewsbury, though he immediately moved to Oxford after the events of the Battle of [Wem](/source/Wem).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] [Prince Rupert](/source/Prince_Rupert_of_the_Rhine) established his headquarters in the town on 18 February 1644, being welcomed by Shrewsbury's aldermen.[48][49]

The Flaxmill-Maltings, under restoration

### Victorian era

[Much Wenlock](/source/Much_Wenlock) was the birthplace of the [modern Olympic](/source/Modern_Olympic_Games) movement.[50]

## Culture and cultural references

### Literature and legends

In the High Medieval period the Shropshire area influenced important poetry: the poet [William Langland](/source/William_Langland), writer of [Piers Plowman](/source/Piers_Plowman), was born in [Cleobury Mortimer](/source/Cleobury_Mortimer),[51][52] and the 14th-century alliterative poem [St Erkenwald](/source/St._Erkenwald_(poem))[53] is written in a local dialect.[54][55][56] The only copy of the ancient poem 'Life and Death'[57] was also found in Shropshire.[58]

In this period the county was also associated in divers places and ways with Arthurian legends, for instance at Hawkstone, where there is a legend that one of the caves of Hawkstone Park was the burial ground of [King Arthur](/source/King_Arthur),[59] and the Arthurian story of the giants Tarquin and Tarquinus[60] is located, or [Whittington Castle](/source/Whittington_Castle) and linked to the Holy Grail since the 13th century.[61] [Old Oswestry](/source/Old_Oswestry) has been identified as a possible home of Guinevere.[62] [Ludlow Castle](/source/Ludlow_Castle) site features heavily in the folk-story of [Fulk FitzWarin](/source/Fulk_FitzWarin), outlawed Lord of [Whittington, Shropshire](/source/Whittington%2C_Shropshire) and a possible inspiration for the *[Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood)* legend.[63]

Parts of Shropshire in the ancient Forest of Arden

Parts of Shropshire are inside the ancient [Forest of Arden](/source/Arden%2C_Warwickshire),[64] which was the part if the [English Midlands](/source/English_Midlands), that in antiquity and into the Early Modern Period was bounded by the Roman roads including to the North by the [Watling Street](/source/Watling_Street) and to the west by Wales. This forest was the Setting of Shakespeare's *[As You Like It](/source/As_You_Like_It),*[65][66] and that play is acknowledged to potentially be a cultural monument to [Sir Rowland Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill_(MP)), a prominent Tudor statesman and publisher of the [Geneva Bible](/source/Geneva_Bible) from the county.[67]

Shropshire was the original seat of prominence of the Cotton family who held the [Cotton Library](/source/Cotton_library) before it was taken to found the British Library.[68]

[Shrewsbury Abbey](/source/Shrewsbury_Abbey) features in *[The Cadfael Chronicles](/source/The_Cadfael_Chronicles)*; [Brother Cadfael](/source/Brother_Cadfael) is a member of the community at the Abbey.[69]

The poet [A. E. Housman](/source/A._E._Housman) used Shropshire as the setting for many of the poems in his first book, *[A Shropshire Lad](/source/A_Shropshire_Lad)*.[70] Moreover, many of [Malcolm Saville](/source/Malcolm_Saville)'s children's books are set in Shropshire. Additionally, [D. H. Lawrence](/source/D._H._Lawrence)'s novella, *St. Mawr*, is partially set in the Stiperstones area of [South Shropshire](/source/South_Shropshire).[71]. The [Clark Tracey](/source/Clark_Tracey) Quintet, commissioned by [John C. Williams](/source/John_C._Williams_(baritone_saxophonist))’ Leasowes Bank Music Festival in Ratlinghope, recorded in 1987 the jazz album Stiperstones, inspired by the south Shropshire landscape.

Mary Webb is remembered with a bust in Shrewsbury.

The early 20th century novelist and poet [Mary Webb](/source/Mary_Webb) was born in Shropshire and lived most of her life there, and all her novels are set there, most notably *[Precious Bane](/source/Precious_Bane)*, with its powerful evocation of the Shropshire countryside.[72] A [school](/source/Mary_Webb_School) in [Pontesbury](/source/Pontesbury) bears her name.

Shropshire is widely believed to have been an influence for [J. R. R. Tolkien](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien)'s landscape of [the Shire](/source/The_Shire) in *[The Lord of the Rings](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)*. Specifically, the Wrekin (as The Lonely Mountain) and Ellesmere (as Laketown) are said to have inspired the English fantasy writer.[73][74][75][76]

In [Susanna Clarke](/source/Susanna_Clarke)'s *[Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell](/source/Jonathan_Strange_%26_Mr_Norrell)* (2004), Jonathan Strange is from the county, and some parts of the book are set there. Another fictional character from Shropshire is Mr Grindley, from [Charles Dickens](/source/Charles_Dickens)' *Bleak House*.

[P. G. Wodehouse](/source/P._G._Wodehouse)'s fictional [Blandings Castle](/source/Blandings_Castle), the ancestral home of [Lord Emsworth](/source/Lord_Emsworth), is located in Shropshire.[77] Also from Shropshire is [Psmith](/source/Psmith), a fictional character in a series of Wodehouse's novels.

In [Oscar Wilde](/source/Oscar_Wilde)'s *[The Importance of Being Earnest](/source/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest)*, Algernon attempts to trick Jack into revealing the location of his country home by inferring he resides in Shropshire.[78]

The 1856 [plantation literature](/source/Anti-Tom_literature) novel *[White Acre vs. Black Acre](/source/White_Acre_vs._Black_Acre)* by William M. Burwell features two Shropshire farms acting as an allegory for [American slavery](/source/Slavery_in_the_United_States) – "White Acre Farm" being the [abolitionist](/source/Abolitionism_in_the_United_States) Northern United States, and "Black Acre Farm" being the slaveholding Southern United States.[79]

The angel [Aziraphale](/source/Aziraphale), a principal character in *[Good Omens](/source/Good_Omens)*, was credited with designing Shropshire by [Terry Pratchett](/source/Terry_Pratchett).[80]

In the novel *[Howards End](/source/Howards_End)*, Mr. Wilcox's daughter gets married in Shropshire. Part of the novel is set near [Clun](/source/Clun).[81]

### Theology

Shropshire was the native county and rural seat of power of [Sir Rowland Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill_(MP)), who coordinated and published the 1560 [Geneva Bible](/source/Geneva_Bible).[82][83][84] This important Bible was the senior Bible of English Protestantism for the early decades of the [Elizabethan Religious Settlement](/source/Elizabethan_Religious_Settlement).[85]

### Drama

A surviving 1679 arbour in Shrewsbury (that of the Shoemakers Guild). Originally there were many of these for pageantry and performance in Kingsland.

Prior to the [Reformation](/source/Reformation), there are accounts of major festivals in the county.[86] The "first flowerings of English drama" in the Tudor period are considered to be in the town, according to the 18th century [Poet laureate](/source/Poet_laureate) and scholar [Thomas Warton](/source/Thomas_Warton). [Whitsuntide](/source/Whitsun) and mystery plays were performed in the founding years of [Shrewsbury School](/source/Shrewsbury_School) under [Thomas Ashton](/source/Thomas_Ashton_(schoolmaster)); they attracted the attention of [Queen Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I).[87] Later this was expressed in the many arbours built in Shrewsbury for that town's particular tradition of pageantry and performance.[86]

#### Shakespeare

The last two acts of *Henry IV, Part I* are set in the county.

[Shakespeare](/source/William_Shakespeare) memorialised the [Battle of Shrewsbury](/source/Battle_of_Shrewsbury) in *[Henry IV, Part 1](/source/Henry_IV%2C_Part_1)*, in Acts IV (Scenes and 3)[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] and V (Scenes 1–5).[88] The arrest of [Buckingham](/source/Henry_Stafford%2C_2nd_Duke_of_Buckingham) referred to in *[Richard III](/source/Richard_III_(play))* (Act IV, scene iv) happened near Wem.[89] Ludlow castle is also referred to in the same play (Act II, scene ii).[90] There is a tradition that inscriptions on the Stanley monuments in [St Bartholomew's Church, Tong](/source/St_Bartholomew's_Church%2C_Tong) are the work of Shakespeare.[91]

#### Other playwrights

[William Wycherley](/source/William_Wycherley) was born at [Clive](/source/Clive%2C_Shropshire) near Shrewsbury, although his birthplace has been said to be Trench Farm to the north near Wem later the birthplace of another writer, [John Ireland](/source/John_Ireland_(writer)), who was said to have been adopted by Wycherley's widow following the death of Ireland's parents.[92]

The playwright [George Farquhar](/source/George_Farquhar)'s 1706 play *The Recruiting Officer* is set in Shrewsbury.[93]

*A Collection of Ball-dances Perform'd at Court*; all compos'd by Mr. Isaac, and writ down in characters, by John Weaver, dancing-master (1706)

### Birthplace of English ballet and pantomime

Main article: [John Weaver (dancer)](/source/John_Weaver_(dancer))

The "father of English ballet",[94] as well as the originator of pantomime,[95] [John Weaver](/source/John_Weaver_(dancer)), developed his art in Shrewsbury. A second generation dancing master in the town,[96] he founded English ballet, founded pantomime, and wrote on the philosophy, theology, statecraft and biology embedded in his era's understating of dance. Later in life he came to publish on the subject of dance, which he located in a wider understanding of his culture as representing a component of [Ptolemaic](/source/Ptolemy) [harmony](/source/Harmony) and an earnest part of the statecraft of his time.[97]

### Architecture

Inigo Jones was active in the county at the beginning of his career as an architect.

The first known architectural project of [Inigo Jones](/source/Inigo_Jones) is the Cotton monument in the Church of St Chad, [Norton-in-Hales](/source/Norton_in_Hales).[98]

There are a number of important buildings in the county.[99] The world's first iron-framed building was built in Shrewsbury at the [Flaxmill Maltings](/source/Ditherington_Flax_Mill): the techniques pioneered in that building were necessary preconditions for [skyscrapers](/source/Skyscraper).

[Nash](/source/John_Nash_(architect))[100] and [Repton](/source/Humphry_Repton)[101] were active at [Attingham Park](/source/Attingham_Park).

A rare Anglo-Saxon hall, which was a high status building from the Anglo Saxon period, and possibly a feasting hall or palace, was excavated at nearby [Attingham](/source/Attingham_Park) in 2018; the dating window is between 400 AD and 1066.[102]

### Film and television

A 1984 film adaptation of *[A Christmas Carol](/source/A_Christmas_Carol)* was filmed in [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury). Scrooge's fictional grave remains in the churchyard of [St. Chad's Church.](/source/St_Chad's_Church%2C_Shrewsbury)

The landscape around [Hawkstone Park](/source/Hawkstone_Park) was used to represent parts of [Narnia](/source/Narnia) in the [BBC](/source/BBC)'s TV adaptation of [C. S. Lewis](/source/C._S._Lewis)'s books in *[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe](/source/The_Lion%2C_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe)* in 1988 and *[Prince Caspian](/source/Prince_Caspian)* a year later.

The 1984 film version of Charles Dickens' *[A Christmas Carol](/source/A_Christmas_Carol_(1984_film))* was filmed in Shrewsbury. The 2005 sitcom *[The Green Green Grass](/source/The_Green_Green_Grass)* is set in Shropshire and was filmed near Ludlow.[77]

The 2007 film *[Atonement](/source/Atonement_(2007_film))* was partly filmed in the county.[103]

The 2023 BBC adaptation of *[Bleak House](/source/Bleak_House)* was filmed partly in Shropshire.[104]

## Emblems

### Coat of arms

The [blazon](/source/Blazon) for the [coat of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms) of the county of Shropshire is:

[erminois](/source/Erminois), three [pile](/source/Pile_(heraldry)) [azure](/source/Azure_(color)), two issuant from the chief and one in base, each charged with a [leopard](/source/Leopard)'s face

The arms were officially granted on 18 June 1896 and continued by the new authority in 2009.[105]

The heads are often referred to as "the loggerheads". This is thought to originate from the practice of carving a leopard head as a [motif](/source/Motif_(visual_arts)) on the head of the log used as a [battering ram](/source/Battering_ram).[106]

### Flag

Main article: [Flag of Shropshire](/source/Flag_of_Shropshire)

The [Shropshire county flag](/source/Flag_of_Shropshire), based on the coat of arms granted in 1896

The Shropshire county flag is a banner of arms taken from its coat of arms. It was registered with the [Flag Institute](/source/Flag_Institute) in March 2012.[107] It shows three [leopard](/source/Leopard) heads ('loggerheads') on a gold and blue background.

### County flower

In a national poll in 2002, conducted by [Plantlife International](/source/Plantlife), the round-leaved sundew (*[Drosera rotundifolia](/source/Drosera_rotundifolia)*) was chosen as Shropshire's [county flower](/source/Floral_emblem).[108] The round-leaved sundew is a [crimson](/source/Crimson)-coloured [insectivorous plant](/source/Carnivorous_plant) that requires a [boggy](/source/Bog) [habitat](/source/Habitat). Due to [habitat loss](/source/Habitat_loss) its range is now dramatically reduced,[109] and Shropshire's [Longmynd](/source/Longmynd) is one of the few areas in England where it can now be found.[110]

### Shropshire Day

Santa Milburga's day is the county's day.

Shropshire's [county day](/source/List_of_county_days_in_the_United_Kingdom) is on 23 February, the [feast day](/source/Feast_day) of [St Milburga](/source/Mildburh), [abbess](/source/Abbess) of [Wenlock Priory](/source/Wenlock_Priory). St Milburga was the daughter of [Anglo-Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxon) king [Merewalh](/source/Merewalh), who founded the abbey within his sub-kingdom of [Magonsæte](/source/Magons%C3%A6te).[111] The town adjoining the priory is now known as [Much Wenlock](/source/Much_Wenlock), and lies within the boundaries of the modern county of Shropshire.

### Motto

Shropshire's [motto](/source/Motto) is *Floreat Salopia*, meaning "May Shropshire flourish".

[British Rail](/source/British_Rail) loco No.31147 was named 'Floreat Salopia'.[112]

## Etymology

Shropshire is first recorded in the *[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle](/source/Anglo-Saxon_Chronicle)* annal for 1006.[113]

The origin of the name is the [Old English](/source/Old_English) *Scrobbesbyrigscīr*, meaning "[Shrewsburyshire](/source/Shrewsbury)", "the shire of the fortified place in the scrublands" (or "shrubs", the modern derivative). Salop is an old name for Shropshire, historically used as an abbreviated form for post or telegrams; it is thought to derive from the Anglo-French "Salopesberia".

It is nowadays normally replaced by Shrops, although Shropshire residents are still referred to as Salopians.[114]

Salop is also an alternative name for the county town, Shrewsbury,[114] which shares the motto *Floreat Salopia*.

## Geography

When a [county council](/source/County_council) for the county was first established in 1889, it was called Salop County Council.[115] Following the [Local Government Act 1972](/source/Local_Government_Act_1972), Salop became the official name of the county. The name was not well-regarded locally,[116] and a subsequent campaign led by a local councillor, John Kenyon, succeeded in having both the county and council renamed as Shropshire in 1980.[117] This took effect from 1 April of that year.[118]

### County extent

The border with Wales was defined in the 16th century – the [hundreds](/source/Hundred_(county_division)) of Oswestry (including [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry) town) and Pimhill (including [Wem](/source/Wem)) and part of [Chirbury](/source/Chirbury) had prior to the [Laws in Wales Act](/source/Laws_in_Wales_Act) formed various Lordships in the [Welsh Marches](/source/Welsh_Marches).

Hand-drawn map of Shropshire by Christopher Saxton from 1577

The present day ceremonial county boundary is almost the same as the historic one. Notably there has been the removal of several [exclaves](/source/Exclave) and [enclaves](/source/Enclave). The largest of the exclaves was [Halesowen](/source/Halesowen), which became part of [Worcestershire](/source/Worcestershire) in 1844 (and is now part of the [West Midlands](/source/West_Midlands_(county)) county), and the largest of the enclaves was Herefordshire's [Farlow](/source/Farlow%2C_Shropshire) in South Shropshire, also transferred in 1844, to Shropshire. Alterations have been made on Shropshire's border with all neighbouring English counties over the centuries. Gains have been made to the south of Ludlow (from Herefordshire), to the north of [Shifnal](/source/Shifnal) (from Staffordshire) and to the north (from Cheshire) and south (from Staffordshire) of Market Drayton. The county has lost land in two places – to Staffordshire and Worcestershire.[119]

[River Severn](/source/River_Severn), seen here in [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury), is the primary watercourse in the county.

Geographically, Shropshire is divisible into two distinct halves – north and south. The county has a highly diverse [geology](/source/Geology_of_Shropshire). The [West Midlands Green Belt](/source/West_Midlands_Green_Belt) extends into eastern Shropshire, covering an area north from [Highley](/source/Highley), to the east of Bridgnorth, north to the eastern side of Telford, leaving Shropshire eastwards alongside the A5. This encompasses Shifnal, [Cosford](/source/Cosford%2C_Shropshire) and [Albrighton](/source/Albrighton%2C_Bridgnorth), and various other villages paralleling [Dudley](/source/Dudley) and Wolverhampton.[120]

### North Shropshire

Wem, traditionally the headquarters of government in North Shropshire, and home to the North Shropshire District Council while in existence

The North Shropshire Plain is an extension of the flat and fertile [Cheshire Plain](/source/Cheshire_Plain). It is here that most of the county's large towns, and population, are to be found. [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury) at the centre, [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry) to the north west, [Whitchurch](/source/Whitchurch%2C_Shropshire) to the north, [Market Drayton](/source/Market_Drayton) to the north east, and [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Shropshire) and the Telford conurbation (Telford, [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_Shropshire), [Oakengates](/source/Oakengates), [Donnington](/source/Donnington%2C_Telford) and Shifnal) to the east. The land is fertile and agriculture remains a major feature of the landscape and the economy. The [River Severn](/source/River_Severn) runs through the lower half of this area (from Wales in the west, eastwards), through Shrewsbury and down the [Ironbridge Gorge](/source/Ironbridge_Gorge), before heading south to [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth).

The area around [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry) has more rugged geography than the North Shropshire Plain and the western half is over an extension of the [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham) Coalfield and there are also copper deposits on the border with [Wales](/source/Wales). Mining of stone and sand [aggregates](/source/Construction_aggregate) is still going on in [Mid-Shropshire](/source/Shrewsbury_and_Atcham), notably on [Haughmond Hill](/source/Haughmond_Hill), near [Bayston Hill](/source/Bayston_Hill), and around the village of [Condover](/source/Condover). Lead mining also took place at [Snailbeach](/source/Snailbeach) and the [Stiperstones](/source/Stiperstones), but this has now ceased. Other primary industries, such as forestry and fishing, are to be found too.

[The Wrekin](/source/The_Wrekin) is a prominent geographical feature located near Wellington in the east of the county.

The [A5](/source/A5_road_(Great_Britain)) and [M54](/source/M54_motorway) run from [Wolverhampton](/source/Wolverhampton) (to the east of the county) across to Telford, around Shrewsbury parallel to the line of [Watling Street](/source/Watling_Street), an [ancient trackway](/source/Ancient_trackway). The A5 then turns north west to Oswestry, before heading north into Wales in the Wrexham area. This is an important artery and the corridor is where most of Shropshire's modern commerce and industry is found, notably in Telford new town. There are also a number of railway lines crossing over the area, which centre at Shrewsbury. To the south west of Telford, near the Ironbridge Gorge, was [Ironbridge Power Station](/source/Ironbridge_Power_Station).

The new town of Telford is built partly on a former industrial area centred on the [East Shropshire Coalfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=East_Shropshire_Coalfield&action=edit&redlink=1) as well as on former agricultural land. There are still many ex-colliery sites to be found in the area, as well as disused mine shafts. This industrial heritage is an important tourist attraction, as is seen by the growth of museums in the [Ironbridge](/source/Ironbridge), [Coalbrookdale](/source/Coalbrookdale), [Broseley](/source/Broseley) and [Jackfield](/source/Jackfield) area. [Blists Hill](/source/Blists_Hill) museum and historical ([Victorian era](/source/Victorian_era)) village is a major tourist attraction as well as the Iron Bridge itself. In addition, [Telford Steam Railway](/source/Telford_Steam_Railway) runs from [Horsehay](/source/Horsehay).

### South Shropshire

For further information about the [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty](/source/Area_of_Outstanding_Natural_Beauty), see [Shropshire Hills AONB](/source/Shropshire_Hills_AONB).

St Leonard's Church is a prominent historical landmark in Bridgnorth.

South Shropshire is more rural, with fewer settlements and no large towns, and its landscape differs greatly from that of North Shropshire. The area is dominated by significant hill ranges and river valleys, woods, pine forests and "batches", a colloquial term for small valleys. Farming is more pastoral than the arable found in the north of the county. The only substantial towns are [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth), with a population of around 12,000 people, [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow) and [Church Stretton](/source/Church_Stretton). The [Shropshire Hills AONB](/source/Shropshire_Hills_AONB) is located in the south-west, covering an area of 810 km2 (312 sq mi); it forms the only specifically protected area of the county. Inside this area is the popular [Long Mynd](/source/Long_Mynd), a large plateau of 516 m (1,693 ft) overlooking [Church Stretton](/source/Church_Stretton) and to its west, the 536 metres (1,759 ft) rocky ridge of [Stiperstones](/source/Stiperstones).

The skyline of [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow), one of south Shropshire's market towns, dominated by its sizeable castle and church

The [A49](/source/A49_road) is the main road through the area, running north to south, from Shrewsbury to [Herefordshire](/source/Herefordshire). A railway line runs through the area on the same route as the A49 with stations at Church Stretton, [Craven Arms](/source/Craven_Arms) and Ludlow. The steam heritage [Severn Valley Railway](/source/Severn_Valley_Railway) runs from Bridgnorth into Worcestershire along the [Severn Valley](/source/Severn_Valley_(England)), terminating at [Kidderminster](/source/Kidderminster_Town_railway_station).

Because of its valley location and character, Church Stretton is sometimes called Little Switzerland,[121] and is depicted in *[Little Switzerland](/source/Little_Switzerland_(landscape))*. Nearby are the old mining and quarrying communities on the [Clee Hills](/source/Clee_Hills), notable geological features in the [Onny Valley](/source/River_Onny) and [Wenlock Edge](/source/Wenlock_Edge) and fertile farmland in [Corve Dale](/source/Corve_Dale). The [River Teme](/source/River_Teme) drains this part of the county, before flowing into Worcestershire to the south and joining the River Severn.

One of the Clee Hills, the [Brown Clee Hill](/source/Brown_Clee_Hill), is the county's highest peak at 540 m (1,770 ft).[122] It is the [13th](/source/List_of_English_counties_by_highest_point) highest [county top](/source/Lists_of_mountains_and_hills_in_the_British_Isles#County_tops) in England.

South West Shropshire is a markedly rural part of the county, with [Clun Forest](/source/Clun_Forest), [Offa's Dyke](/source/Offa's_Dyke), the [River Clun](/source/River_Clun%2C_Shropshire) and the [River Onny](/source/River_Onny). The small towns of [Clun](/source/Clun) and [Bishop's Castle](/source/Bishop's_Castle) are in this area. To the south of Clun is the Welsh border town of [Knighton](/source/Knighton%2C_Powys).

### Natural regions

The landscape of the [Long Mynd](/source/Long_Mynd), to the west of [Church Stretton](/source/Church_Stretton)

[Natural England](/source/Natural_England) recognised the following [national character areas](/source/National_character_area) that lie wholly or partially within Shropshire:[123]

- [Shropshire Hills](/source/Shropshire_Hills)

- [Shropshire and Staffordshire Plain](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shropshire_and_Staffordshire_Plain&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Oswestry Uplands](/source/Oswestry_Uplands)

- [Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau](/source/Mid_Severn_Sandstone_Plateau)

- [Teme Valley](/source/Teme_Valley)

- [Herefordshire Lowlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Herefordshire_Lowlands&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Clun](/source/Clun) and North West Herefordshire Hills

- [Whixall Moss](/source/Whixall_Moss)

### Climate

[Harper Adams University](/source/Harper_Adams_University), where on 10 January 1982 the lowest temperature ever in England was recorded

The [climate](/source/Climate) of Shropshire is moderate. Rainfall averages 760 to 1,000 mm (30 to 40 in), influenced by being in the [rainshadow](/source/Rainshadow) of the [Cambrian Mountains](/source/Cambrian_Mountains) from warm, moist [frontal systems](/source/Precipitation_(meteorology)#Frontal_activity) of the Atlantic Ocean which bring generally light precipitation in Autumn and Spring.[124] The hilly areas in the south and west are much colder in the winter, due to their high elevation, they share a similar climate to that of the [Welsh Marches](/source/Welsh_Marches) and [Mid-Wales](/source/Mid-Wales). The flat northern plain in the north and east has a similar climate to that of the rest of the [West Midlands](/source/West_Midlands_(region)).

Being rural and inland, temperatures can fall more dramatically on clear winter nights than in many other parts of England. It was at [Harper Adams University](/source/Harper_Adams_University), in [Edgmond](/source/Edgmond%2C_Shropshire), where on 10 January 1982 the lowest temperature weather record for England was broken (and is kept to this day): −26.1 °C (−15.0 °F).

The only major Met Office weather station in the county is located at [Shawbury](/source/Shawbury), which is in the north, between [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury) and [Market Drayton](/source/Market_Drayton).

Climate data for Shawbury[c] WMO ID: 03414; coordinates 52°47′41″N 2°39′53″W / 52.79469°N 2.66473°W / 52.79469; -2.66473 (Met Office Shawbury); elevation: 72 m (236 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 14.6 (58.3) 17.4 (63.3) 21.5 (70.7) 25.2 (77.4) 26.7 (80.1) 31.2 (88.2) 35.7 (96.3) 34.9 (94.8) 29.6 (85.3) 28.1 (82.6) 18.4 (65.1) 15.4 (59.7) 35.7 (96.3) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.5 (45.5) 8.1 (46.6) 10.3 (50.5) 13.2 (55.8) 16.3 (61.3) 19.1 (66.4) 21.1 (70.0) 20.7 (69.3) 18.1 (64.6) 14.2 (57.6) 10.3 (50.5) 7.7 (45.9) 13.9 (57.0) Daily mean °C (°F) 4.3 (39.7) 4.6 (40.3) 6.3 (43.3) 8.6 (47.5) 11.5 (52.7) 14.4 (57.9) 16.3 (61.3) 16.0 (60.8) 13.7 (56.7) 10.4 (50.7) 6.9 (44.4) 4.5 (40.1) 9.8 (49.6) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.2 (34.2) 1.2 (34.2) 2.3 (36.1) 3.9 (39.0) 6.8 (44.2) 9.6 (49.3) 11.5 (52.7) 11.4 (52.5) 9.3 (48.7) 6.6 (43.9) 3.5 (38.3) 1.3 (34.3) 5.7 (42.3) Record low °C (°F) −21.4 (−6.5) −12.9 (8.8) −12.2 (10.0) −5.9 (21.4) −3.3 (26.1) −0.5 (31.1) 2.5 (36.5) 0.8 (33.4) −2.5 (27.5) −5.9 (21.4) −12.5 (9.5) −25.2 (−13.4) −25.2 (−13.4) Average precipitation mm (inches) 57.4 (2.26) 43.3 (1.70) 43.4 (1.71) 47.1 (1.85) 53.6 (2.11) 59.0 (2.32) 57.6 (2.27) 64.2 (2.53) 61.1 (2.41) 68.8 (2.71) 60.8 (2.39) 66.3 (2.61) 682.5 (26.87) Average snowfall mm (inches) 26 (1.0) 19 (0.7) 3 (0.1) 4 (0.2) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0.0) 27 (1.1) 80 (3.1) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.1 10.8 10.2 10.4 10.0 10.1 10.5 10.5 10.0 11.3 12.5 13.1 131.6 Average snowy days 3.0 2.9 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.6 9.1 Average relative humidity (%) 90 87 84 83 82 84 83 83 86 88 90 90 86 Mean monthly sunshine hours 52.8 74.9 114.6 158.1 194.9 187.5 193.3 168.0 134.7 97.5 61.8 49.9 1,487.8 Mean daily daylight hours 8.3 9.9 11.9 14.0 15.8 16.8 16.3 14.7 12.7 10.6 8.7 7.7 12.3 Average ultraviolet index 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 3 Source 1: Met Office[125] European Climate Assessment and Dataset[126] Source 2: WeatherAtlas[127]

### Geology

Main article: [Geology of Shropshire](/source/Geology_of_Shropshire)

Shropshire has a huge range of different types of rocks, stretching from the [Precambrian](/source/Precambrian) until the [Holocene](/source/Holocene). In the northern part of the county there are examples of [Jurassic](/source/Jurassic), [Carboniferous](/source/Carboniferous), [Permian](/source/Permian) and [Triassic](/source/Triassic). Centrally, Precambrian, [Cambrian](/source/Cambrian), [Ordovician](/source/Ordovician), Carboniferous and Permian predominate. And in the south it is predominantly [Silurian](/source/Silurian) and [Quaternary](/source/Quaternary). Shropshire has a number of areas with Silurian and Ordovician rocks, where a number of [shells](/source/Seashell), [corals](/source/Coral) and [trilobites](/source/Trilobite) can be found. Mortimer Forest and Wenlock Edge are examples where a number of [fossils](/source/Fossil) can be found.

### Statistical

For [Eurostat](/source/Eurostat) purposes, the county (less the unitary district of [Telford and Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin)) is a [NUTS 3 region](/source/NUTS_statistical_regions_of_the_United_Kingdom) (code UKG22). The two Shropshire unitary areas (covering all of the ceremonial county), together with the authorities covering the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region.

Rural Shropshire, [Lyth Hill](/source/Bayston_Hill)

## Towns and villages

Further information: [List of places in Shropshire](/source/List_of_places_in_Shropshire), [Category:Towns in Shropshire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Towns_in_Shropshire), and [Category:Villages in Shropshire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Villages_in_Shropshire)

Shropshire has no [cities](/source/City_status_in_the_United_Kingdom), but 22 towns, of which two can be considered major. [Telford](/source/Telford) is the largest town in the county with a population of 138,241 (which is approximately 30% of the total Salopian populace); whereas the [county town](/source/County_town) of [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury) has a lower, but still sizeable population of 71,715 (15%). The other sizeable towns are [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry), [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth), [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Shropshire) and [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow). The historic town of [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_Shropshire) now makes up part of the Telford conurbation. The majority of the other settlements can be classed as villages or towns such as [Much Wenlock](/source/Much_Wenlock) or [Whitchurch](/source/Whitchurch%2C_Shropshire). Several villages have larger populations than the smallest town, [Clun](/source/Clun). The largest of these, [Bayston Hill](/source/Bayston_Hill), is the 10th most populous settlement in the county. The names of several villages close to the border are of [Welsh](/source/Welsh_language) origin, such as [Gobowen](/source/Gobowen) and [Selattyn](/source/Selattyn).

The larger settlements are primarily concentrated in a central belt that roughly follows the [A5](/source/A5_road_(Great_Britain))/[M54](/source/M54_motorway) roadway. Other settlements are concentrated on rivers, for example Bridgnorth and [Ironbridge](/source/Ironbridge) on the Severn, or Ludlow on the Teme, as these waterways were historically vital for trade and a supply of water.[128]

Telford Shrewsbury Oswestry Bridgnorth Newport Ludlow Ceremonial county of Shropshire Telford and Wrekin shown within Rivers, Motorways, 'A' Roads, Settlements Largest settlements (by population) 2021: Telford (156,896) Shrewsbury (75,992) Oswestry (17,509) Newport (14,182) Bridgnorth (12,182) Market Drayton (12,066) Ludlow (10,039) Whitchurch (9,855) Shifnal (8,984) Bayston Hill (village) (5,079) Wem (5,142) Broseley (4,929) Church Stretton (4,671) Albrighton (village) (4,157) Ellesmere (3,835) Highley (village) (3,605) Pontesbury (village) (3,500) Shawbury (village) (2,872) Prees (village) (2,688) Much Wenlock (2,605) Craven Arms (2,289) Cleobury Mortimer (1,962) Bishop's Castle (1,893) Baschurch (village) (1,475) Ruyton-XI-Towns (village) (1,379) Clun (680)

The town of [Telford](/source/Telford) was created by the merger and expansion of older, small towns to the north and east of [The Wrekin](/source/The_Wrekin). These towns now have sizeable populations that now make up the population of Telford: [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_Shropshire) (20,430),[129] [Madeley](/source/Madeley%2C_Shropshire) (17,935),[130] [Dawley](/source/Dawley) (11,399)[131] and [Oakengates](/source/Oakengates) (8,517),[132][133] but the Telford and Wrekin borough towns incentive aims to make Oakengates into the largest of the towns.[134]

[Historically](/source/Shropshire_(Detached)), all or parts of the towns of [Halesowen](/source/Halesowen), [Smethwick](/source/Smethwick) and [Oldbury](/source/Oldbury%2C_West_Midlands), as well as the [Quinton](/source/Quinton%2C_Birmingham) suburb of [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), were in Shropshire.[135]

## Politics

See also: [Shropshire local elections](/source/Shropshire_local_elections) and [Telford and Wrekin local elections](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin_local_elections)

Election results 2001

Election results 2005 & 2010

### Parliamentary constituencies

The county has five [parliamentary constituencies](/source/Parliamentary_constituencies_in_Shropshire). In the July 2024 General Election, two returned Conservative MPS, two Labour and one Liberal Democrat.

At the 2005 general election, four returned Conservative MPs, Telford, returned a Labour MP. This was a marked change from the 2001 general election result, where the county returned only one Conservative, three Labour and a Liberal Democrat MP to the House of Commons (see maps to the right) (Labour = Red, Conservatives = Blue and Liberal Democrats = Orange).

The current MPs of Shropshire, following the 2024 General Election, are:

- [Shaun Davies](/source/Shaun_Davies_(politician)), Labour, [Telford](/source/Telford_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (covering the town of [Telford](/source/Telford))

- [Helen Morgan](/source/Helen_Morgan_(politician)), Liberal Democrat, [North Shropshire](/source/North_Shropshire_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (covering the former [North Shropshire](/source/North_Shropshire) and [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry_(borough)) districts, now coextensive with the North area committee)

- [Stuart Anderson](/source/Stuart_Anderson_(politician)), Conservative, [South Shropshire](/source/South_Shropshire_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (covering the former [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow) and (the majority of) Bridgnorth districts; now co-extensive with the South area committee except for the part covered by The Wrekin constituency)

- [Julia Buckley](/source/Julia_Buckley), Labour, [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (covering the former [Shrewsbury and Atcham](/source/Shrewsbury_and_Atcham_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) district; now co-extensive with the Central area committee)

- [Mark Pritchard](/source/Mark_Pritchard_(politician)), Conservative, [The Wrekin](/source/The_Wrekin_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) (covering [Telford and Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin) borough, minus Telford, and including a small area of the former Bridgnorth district/South area committee)

Constituency 1992 1997 2001 2005 2010 2015 2017 2021 Ludlow CON Christopher Gill LD Matthew Green CON Philip Dunne North Shropshire CON John Biffen CON Owen Paterson LD Helen Morgan Shrewsbury & Atcham CON Derek Conway LAB Paul Marsden LD Paul Marsden CON Daniel Kawczynski Telford LAB Bruce Grocott* LAB Bruce Grocott LAB David Wright CON Lucy Allan The Wrekin LAB Peter Bradley CON Mark Pritchard

- Note (*), [The Wrekin (historic UK Parliament constituency)](/source/The_Wrekin_(historic_UK_Parliament_constituency)) was split at the 1997 election.

2021 refers to the by election in North Shropshire only.

### Divisions and environs

See also: [List of civil parishes in Shropshire](/source/List_of_civil_parishes_in_Shropshire)

Most of the [ceremonial county](/source/Ceremonial_counties_of_England) of Shropshire is covered for purposes of local government by [Shropshire Council](/source/Shropshire_Council), a [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authority) established in 2009. [Telford and Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin) is a unitary authority, with [borough status](/source/Borough_status), which forms part of the county for various functions such as [Lord Lieutenant](/source/Lord_Lieutenant) but is a separate local authority from Shropshire Council. Many services are shared by both authorities, such as the [fire and rescue service](/source/Shropshire_Fire_and_Rescue_Service), and the two authorities co-operate on some projects such as mapping flood risk.

The new unitary authority for Shropshire, [Shropshire Council](/source/Shropshire_Council), divides the county into three areas, each with its own [area committee](/source/Area_committee): North, Central and South. These area committees deal with town and country planning matters.

With the parishing of the formerly [unparished area](/source/Unparished_area) of Shrewsbury in 2008, the entire ceremonial county is now [parished](/source/Civil_parishes_in_England). The sizes of parishes varies enormously in terms of area covered and population resident. Shrewsbury is the most populous parish in the county (and one of the most populous in England) with over 70,000 residents, whilst [Boscobel](/source/Boscobel%2C_Shropshire) is the smallest parish in Shropshire by geographical area and by population, with just 12 residents according to the 2001 census.[136] The smaller parishes (with populations of less than 200) usually have a joint [parish council](/source/Parish_councils_in_England) with one or more neighbouring parishes, or in some instances, have a [parish meeting](/source/Parish_meeting) (such as in [Sibdon Carwood](/source/Sibdon_Carwood)). The urban area of Telford is divided into many parishes, each covering a particular suburb, some of which are historic villages or towns (such as [Madeley](/source/Madeley%2C_Shropshire)). The parish remains an important sub-division and tier of local government in both unitary authority areas of Shropshire.

### Local government 1974–2009

The ceremonial county prior to the 2009 local government restructuring, with just Telford & Wrekin as a unitary authority (shown yellow)

In 1974 the [non-metropolitan county](/source/Non-metropolitan_county) of Salop was constituted, covering the entire county. After a local campaign, the council voted 48-5 to revert to Shropshire from 1 April 1980.[137] There was a two-tier system of local government, constituting a [county council](/source/County_council) (as the upper tier) and six [district](/source/Non-metropolitan_district) councils – [Bridgnorth](/source/Bridgnorth_(district)), [North Shropshire](/source/North_Shropshire), [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry_(borough)), [Shrewsbury and Atcham](/source/Shrewsbury_and_Atcham), [South Shropshire](/source/South_Shropshire) and [The Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin). In 1998 The Wrekin became a [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authority), administratively separate from the county council, and became Telford and Wrekin. The two-tier structure remained in the remainder of the county and was the least populated two-tier area in England.

Oswestry and Shrewsbury & Atcham were each granted borough status in 1974. Telford and Wrekin became a borough in 2002.

### 2009 restructuring

See also: [2009 structural changes to local government in England](/source/2009_structural_changes_to_local_government_in_England)

Shropshire's [Shirehall](/source/Shirehall%2C_Shrewsbury) is located opposite [Lord Hill's Column](/source/Lord_Hill's_Column).

In 2006 a local government white paper supported proposals for new [unitary authorities](/source/Unitary_authority) to be set up in England in certain areas. Existing [non-metropolitan counties](/source/Non-metropolitan_county) with small populations, such as [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall), Northumberland and Shropshire, were favoured by the government to be covered by unitary authorities in one form or another (the county either becoming a single unitary authority, or be broken into a number of unitary authorities). For the counties in the 2009 reorganisation, existing unitary authority areas within the counties' [ceremonial boundaries](/source/Ceremonial_counties_of_England) (such as Telford and Wrekin) were not to be affected and no boundary changes were planned.

Shropshire County Council, supported by South Shropshire District Council and Oswestry Borough Council, proposed to the government that the non-metropolitan county of Shropshire become a single unitary authority. This was opposed by the other three districts in the county, with Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council taking their objection to the High Court in a judicial review.

The proposal to create a Shropshire unitary authority, covering the area of the existing non-metropolitan county, was supported by the [DCLG](/source/Department_of_Communities_and_Local_Government) and 1 April 2009 was set as the date for the re-organisation to take place.[138] The first elections to Shropshire Council took place on 4 June 2009, with the former Shropshire County Council being the continuing authority and its councillors became the first members of the new Shropshire Council on 1 April.

Part of the proposals include [parishing](/source/Civil_parish) and establishing a [town council](/source/Town_council) for Shrewsbury. The parish was created on 13 May 2008 and is the second most populous [civil parish](/source/Civil_parishes_in_England) in England (only [Weston-super-Mare](/source/Weston-super-Mare) has a greater population) with a population of over 70,000.

### Political control of councils

Shropshire Council was under Conservative control from the first election held in 2009 until that of 2025, when the [Liberal Democrats](/source/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)) took control; [Telford and Wrekin Council](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin_Council) has been under [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)) control since 2011.

## Economy

Shrewsbury's town centre contains the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres, as well as more traditional historic retail areas.

Telford Plaza in [Telford Town Centre](/source/Telford#Landmarks)

Traditionally, agriculture has dominated the economy of Shropshire.[139] The area later became more service-oriented. The county town of [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury), the historic castle-dominated [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow), the [International Olympic Movement](/source/International_Olympic_Movement)'s reputed birthplace [Much Wenlock](/source/Much_Wenlock) and the industrial birthplace of [Ironbridge Gorge](/source/Ironbridge_Gorge) are the foremost [tourist](/source/Tourism) areas in Shropshire,[140] along with the restored canal-network which provides narrowboat holidays on the [Shropshire Union Canal](/source/Shropshire_Union_Canal) and other canals in the region. The natural beauty of the county draws people to all areas. In 2024, Shropshire was listed on the ABTA's list of global destinations to watch for its 'beautiful landscapes, towns and villages'.[141]

Industry is mostly found in [Telford](/source/Telford), [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry), [Whitchurch](/source/Whitchurch%2C_Shropshire), [Market Drayton](/source/Market_Drayton) and Shrewsbury, though small industrial estates have developed in most of the market towns as well as on former airfields in rural areas. In towns such as Whitchurch, much of the high street is predominantly composed of small independent business which specialise in handmade items or antiques. Shrewsbury is becoming[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] a centre for distribution and warehousing, as it is located on a nodal point of the regional road-network.[142][143]

Telford is the base for a number of concerns. [Rayburn Range](/source/Rayburn_Range) and [Aga Rangemaster Group](/source/Aga_Rangemaster_Group) are based there. The [MoD](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) have a significant depot at [Donnington](/source/MOD_Donnington). Here are also high-technology industries such as [Unimation](/source/Unimation), [Nikon](/source/Nikon), [Hitachi Maxell](/source/Hitachi_Maxell), [Ricoh](/source/Ricoh), [Capgemini](/source/Capgemini), [Fujitsu](/source/Fujitsu) and [Electronic Data Systems](/source/Electronic_Data_Systems). In [Hadley Castle](/source/Hadley%2C_Shropshire), [Denso](/source/Denso) Manufacturing UK Ltd make [car air-conditioning systems](/source/Car_air_conditioning) and [GKN](/source/GKN) Wheels make car wheels. [Makita](/source/Makita) Manufacturing Europe at Hortonwood, Telford is the only plant in the UK that makes [power tools](/source/Power_tool).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In Telford, a new [rail freight facility](/source/Telford_International_Railfreight_Park) was opened in 2009 by Telford and Wrekin Council at [Donnington](/source/Donnington%2C_Telford)[144] with the future goal of extending the line[*[which?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words)*] to [Stafford](/source/Stafford).[143]

Telford and Shrewsbury are the county's two main retail centres, with contrasting styles of shopping – Shrewsbury's largely historic streets and Telford's large modern mall, [Telford Shopping Centre](/source/Telford_Shopping_Centre).[145] Shrewsbury also has two medium-sized shopping centres, the indoor "Pride Hill" and ["Darwin"](/source/Darwin_Shopping_Centre) centres (both located on Pride Hill),[146] and (prior to its demolition in 2024) a smaller, partially covered, "Riverside Mall". Shrewsbury's location as the nearest substantial town for those in a large area of [mid-Wales](/source/Powys) helps it draw in considerable numbers of shoppers, notably on Saturdays.

Well-known food companies in Shropshire include [Müller Dairy (UK) Ltd](/source/M%C3%BCller_(company)) in [Market Drayton](/source/Market_Drayton),[147] which also has a plant at [Minsterley](/source/Minsterley)[148] and makes chilled desserts for Tesco. Also based in Market Drayton is [Palethorpes](/source/Palethorpes), part of [Pork Farms](/source/Pork_Farms), which make own-label sausages. At [Crudgington](/source/Crudgington), [Dairy Crest](/source/Dairy_Crest) made Country Life butter and [Clover](/source/Clover_(spread)) until February 2015, and had their Technical Centre which, following the site's closure, relocated to [Harper Adams University](/source/Harper_Adams_University).[149] Anglo Beef Processors ([ABP Food Group](/source/ABP_Food_Group)) are at [Harlescott](/source/Harlescott) in the north of Shrewsbury.

The [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) operates two bases at [RAF Cosford](/source/DCAE_Cosford) and [RAF Shawbury](/source/RAF_Shawbury),[150] where military helicopter training in the UK takes place, alongside training for the RAF's [air traffic controllers](/source/Air_traffic_controller) (ATCs).[151] The charity [PDSA](/source/People's_Dispensary_for_Sick_Animals) has its head office in [Priorslee](/source/St_George's_and_Priorslee), Telford.[152]

[BT](/source/BT_Group) have their [National Network Management Centre](/source/National_Network_Management_Centre) (Whittington House) in [Whittington](/source/Whittington%2C_Shropshire) near Oswestry.[153]

### Statistics

Below is the chart of regional gross value added for the non-metropolitan county (that is, excluding Telford & Wrekin) of Shropshire at current basic prices,[154] with figures in millions of British [pounds sterling](/source/Pound_sterling).

Year Regional gross value added[155] Agriculture[156] Industry[157] Services[158] 1995 2,388 238 618 1,533 2000 2,977 177 739 2,061 2003 3,577 197 843 2,538

With the statistics for the borough of [Telford and Wrekin](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin) included, the following represents the ceremonial county:

Year Regional gross value added[155] Agriculture[156] Industry[157] Services[158] 1995 4,151 266 1,483 2,403 2000 5,049 197 1,512 3,340 2003 5,947 218 1,693 4,038

## Education

See also: [List of schools in Shropshire](/source/List_of_schools_in_Shropshire)

[Shrewsbury School](/source/Shrewsbury_School), with its boathouse on the [River Severn](/source/River_Severn) in the foreground

The Shropshire Council area has a completely [comprehensive](/source/Comprehensive_school) education system, whilst in the borough of Telford and Wrekin there are two selective schools, both of which are located in [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Shropshire)—these are the [Haberdashers' Adams School](/source/Haberdashers'_Adams) and [Newport Girls' High School](/source/Newport_Girls'_High_School) (both of which are ranked within the top thirty schools in the country). In Telford itself is the [Thomas Telford School](/source/Thomas_Telford_School), ranked as one of the best comprehensive schools in England.[159]

Some Shropshire children attend schools in [Wales](/source/Wales), including [Llanfyllin High School](/source/Llanfyllin_High_School).[160]

The county has many independent schools, such as [Oswestry School](/source/Oswestry_School) (founded in 1407), [Shrewsbury School](/source/Shrewsbury_School), (founded in 1552), and [Ellesmere College](/source/Ellesmere_College) (founded in 1884).

There are three sixth-form colleges located in Shropshire: the [New College, Telford](/source/New_College%2C_Telford), [Shrewsbury Sixth Form College](/source/Shrewsbury_Sixth_Form_College) and [Ludlow College](/source/Ludlow_College). Haberdashers’ Adams and Newport Girls' High Schools both provide sixth-form education as well as secondary education.

There are also two institutions of higher education in Shropshire, the Telford campus of the [University of Wolverhampton](/source/University_of_Wolverhampton) and in [Edgmond](/source/Edgmond), near Newport, [Harper Adams University](/source/Harper_Adams_University), which formerly offered mostly agriculture-based degrees but is expanding its range of provision. A third higher education institution was created in Shrewsbury in 2015, which is a campus of the [University of Chester](/source/University_of_Chester).[161]

In Ironbridge, the [University of Birmingham](/source/University_of_Birmingham) operates the [Ironbridge Institute](/source/Ironbridge_Institute) in partnership with the [Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust](/source/Ironbridge_Gorge_Museum_Trust), which offers postgraduate and professional development courses in heritage.

Shropshire has the highest educational attainment in the [West Midlands region](/source/West_Midlands_region).[162]

v t e Schools in Shropshire (including Telford and Wrekin) Secondary Belvidere School Bishop's Castle Community College Bridgnorth Endowed School Burton Borough School Charlton School Church Stretton School The Corbet School Ercall Wood Academy Grove School Haberdashers' Abraham Darby Hadley Learning Community Holy Trinity Academy Idsall School Lacon Childe School Lakelands Academy Ludlow Church of England School Madeley Academy The Marches School Mary Webb School Meole Brace School Oldbury Wells School The Priory School St Martin's School Sir John Talbot's School Shrewsbury Academy Telford Park School Telford Priory School The Telford Langley School Thomas Adams School Thomas Telford School William Brookes School Grammar Haberdashers' Adams Newport Girls' High School Independent (preparatory) Castle House School Moor Park School Packwood Haugh School Prestfelde School Independent (senior) Adcote School Concord College Ellesmere College Moreton Hall School Oswestry School Shrewsbury High School Shrewsbury School Wrekin College Sixth form colleges Ludlow College Shrewsbury Sixth Form College Telford College Further education colleges Shrewsbury College Telford College North Shropshire College Universities Harper Adams University University of Wolverhampton University Centre Shrewsbury Defunct Wakeman School

## Transport

[Montgomery Canal](/source/Montgomery_Canal) at [Maesbury Marsh](/source/Maesbury_Marsh)

The direct [InterCity](/source/InterCity_(British_Rail)) from [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury_railway_station) to [London Euston](/source/Euston_railway_station) with a [DVT](/source/Driving_Van_Trailer) and mailbags delivering the [Royal Mail](/source/Royal_Mail) at a time when [British Rail](/source/British_Rail) ran the network

See also: [Rail transport in Shropshire](/source/Rail_transport_in_Shropshire)

Shropshire is connected to the rest of the United Kingdom via a number of road and rail links. Historically, rivers and later canals in the county were used for transport also, although their use in transport is now significantly reduced. The county's main transport hub is Shrewsbury, through which many significant roads and railways pass and join.

[Canals in Britain](/source/Canals_of_the_United_Kingdom) were originally constructed for the transport of goods, but are now mainly used for leisure. In northern Shropshire three canals with a total navigable length of 41 miles (66 km) are managed by the [Canal & River Trust](/source/Canal_%26_River_Trust): the [Shropshire Union Canal](/source/Shropshire_Union_Canal) (from north of [Adderley](/source/Adderley) to near [Knighton](/source/Knighton%2C_Stafford%2C_Staffordshire)), the [Llangollen Canal](/source/Llangollen_Canal) (from [Chirk Aqueduct](/source/Chirk_Aqueduct) to [Grindley Brook](/source/Grindley_Brook)) and the [Montgomery Canal](/source/Montgomery_Canal) (from its beginning at [Frankton Junction](/source/Frankton_Junction) to [Llanymynech](/source/Llanymynech)). In addition, the [Shrewsbury and Newport Canal](/source/Shrewsbury_Canal) potentially could be restored in the future.[163]

The [M54 Motorway](/source/M54_Motorway) runs through the east of the county, as far as [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_Shropshire).

Major roads in the county include the [M54 motorway](/source/M54_motorway), which connects Shropshire to the rest of the motorway network, and more specifically to the [West Midlands county](/source/West_Midlands_county). The [A5](/source/A5_road_(Great_Britain)) also runs through the county, in an east–west direction. The road formerly ran through Shrewsbury, although a large dual-carriageway bypass has since been built. Other major trunk roads in the county include the north–south [A49](/source/A49_road), the [A53](/source/A53_road) and the [A41](/source/A41_road).

There are a number of major [railway](/source/Railways_of_Shropshire) lines running through the county, including the [Welsh Marches Line](/source/Welsh_Marches_Line), the [Heart of Wales Line](/source/Heart_of_Wales_Line), the [Cambrian Line](/source/Cambrian_Line), the [Shrewsbury to Chester Line](/source/Shrewsbury_to_Chester_Line) and the [Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line](/source/Wolverhampton_to_Shrewsbury_Line), as well as [heritage railways](/source/Heritage_railway) including the well established [Severn Valley Railway](/source/Severn_Valley_Railway). The [Cambrian Heritage Railway](/source/Cambrian_Heritage_Railway) exists in [Oswestry](/source/Oswestry). The three train operating companies working in the county are [West Midlands Trains](/source/West_Midlands_Trains), [Transport for Wales](/source/Transport_for_Wales_Rail) and [Avanti West Coast](/source/Avanti_West_Coast). A new company, [Wrexham & Shropshire](/source/Wrexham_%26_Shropshire), commenced services from Shropshire to [London Marylebone](/source/Marylebone_railway_station), in spring 2008 but the service was discontinued on 28 January 2011 leaving Shrewsbury without a direct link to the capital.[164] Virgin Trains (the operator at the time) recommenced services from Shrewsbury to [London Euston](/source/Euston_railway_station) on 11 December 2014, having withdrawn them in the late 1990s,[165] however, their successor Avanti West Coast is set to withdraw service once again in June 2024.[166]

Two major water supply [aqueducts](/source/Pipeline_transport) run across Shropshire; the [Elan aqueduct](/source/Elan_aqueduct) running through South Shropshire carrying water from [Elan Valley](/source/Elan_Valley) to [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham) and the Vyrnwy Aqueduct running through North Shropshire delivering water from [Lake Vyrnwy](/source/Lake_Vyrnwy) to [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool).

## Media

The county is served by [BBC West Midlands](/source/BBC_West_Midlands) and [ITV Central](/source/ITV_Central) television, and [BBC Radio Shropshire](/source/BBC_Radio_Shropshire). County-wide commercial radio stations are [Hits Radio Black Country & Shropshire](/source/Hits_Radio_Black_Country_%26_Shropshire), [Greatest Hits Radio Black Country & Shropshire](/source/Greatest_Hits_Radio_Black_Country_%26_Shropshire), [Heart West Midlands](/source/Heart_West_Midlands), [Capital North West and Wales](/source/Capital_North_West_and_Wales), [Smooth West Midlands](/source/Smooth_West_Midlands) and [Sunshine Radio](/source/Sunshine_Radio_(Ludlow)) (serving [Ludlow](/source/Ludlow) and southern parts of Shropshire).

The *[Shropshire Star](/source/Shropshire_Star)* newspaper covers the county.[167]

## Places of interest

See also: [Listed buildings in Shropshire](/source/Listed_buildings_in_Shropshire)

Acton Scott Heritage Farm, nr. Church Stretton Adcote nr. Shrewsbury Attingham Park, Atcham Benthall Hall, Broseley Blists Hill, Madeley Boscobel House, nr. Wolverhampton Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, Bridgnorth Bridgnorth Castle, Bridgnorth Brown Clee Hill, South Shropshire Buildwas Abbey, Buildwas Burford House Caer Caradoc, nr. Church Stretton Cambrian Heritage Railway, Oswestry and Llynclys Chetwynd Park, Newport Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton Clun Castle, Clun Flounder's Folly, nr. Craven Arms Fordhall castle and farm Haughmond Hill, nr. Shrewsbury Haughmond Abbey Hawkstone Park, North Shropshire Hopton Castle, nr. Craven Arms Ironbridge Gorge Kynaston's Cave, nr. Nesscliffe Langley Chapel, nr. Shrewsbury Lilleshall Abbey, nr Newport The Long Mynd, Church Stretton Ludlow Castle, Ludlow Mitchell's Fold, nr. Chirbury Moreton Corbet Castle, Moreton Corbet Newport Guildhall, Newport Offa's Dyke Path, Welsh Marches Puleston Cross, Newport Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), South Shropshire Shropshire Union Canal Snailbeach Lead Mines nr. Shrewsbury South Telford Heritage Trail, Telford Soulton Hall nr. Wem St Laurence Church, Ludlow The Stiperstones, nr Pontesbury Stokesay Castle, nr Craven Arms Sunnycroft, Wellington Telford Steam Railway, Telford Titterstone Clee Hill, nr. Ludlow Wenlock Edge, Much Wenlock Wenlock Priory White Ladies Priory Whittington Castle, nr. Oswestry The Wrekin (and Ercall) nr. Wellington Wroxeter Roman City, Wroxeter, nr. Atcham Shrewsbury Castle Attingham Park Mansion Ironbridge

## Notable people

This section needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Shropshire" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Charles Darwin, 1854

Clive of India statue in Shrewsbury's Square

Captain Matthew Webb, 1883

Wilfred Owen, 1920 plate

William Penny Brookes, 1875

[Sir Rowland Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill_(MP)), coordinator of the Geneva Bible and possible inspiration for *As You Like It*, was from the county.

- [Abraham Darby](/source/Abraham_Darby_I), early industrialist[168]

- [Adrian Jones](/source/Adrian_Jones_(sculptor)), sculptor of the Quadriga at [Hyde Park Corner](/source/Hyde_Park_Corner)[169]

- [Barbara Pym](/source/Barbara_Pym), novelist

- [Carol Decker](/source/Carol_Decker), lead singer of the 1980s pop group [T'Pau](/source/T'Pau_(band)), went to school in Shropshire

- [Charles Babbage](/source/Charles_Babbage), early computing pioneer, lived at [Dudmaston Hall](/source/Dudmaston_Hall) in 1814

- [Charles Darwin](/source/Charles_Darwin), eminent [naturalist](/source/Naturalist) developed the [theory of evolution by natural selection](/source/Theory_of_evolution_by_natural_selection), born in Shrewsbury

- [Chris Hawkins](/source/Chris_Hawkins), radio presenter and DJ, born in [Loppington](/source/Loppington)

- [Craig Phillips](/source/Craig_Phillips), of Newport, winner of [*Big Brother* 2000](/source/Big_Brother_2000_(UK))

- [Dominic Sandbrook](/source/Dominic_Sandbrook), historian and TV presenter

- [Edith Pargeter](/source/Edith_Pargeter) (1913–1995), author

- [Edmund Plowden](/source/Edmund_Plowden) (1518–1585), legal scholar and theorist

- Sir [Edmund Plowden](/source/Edmund_Plowden_(colonial_governor)) (1590–1659), proprietor, Earl Palatine and Governor of [New Albion](/source/New_Albion)

- [Edric the Wild](/source/Edric_the_Wild), Anglo-Saxon magnate

- [Edward Waring](/source/Edward_Waring) (1736–1798), mathematician

- [Eglantyne Jebb](/source/Eglantyne_Jebb) of Ellesmere, social reformer and founder of the [Save the Children Fund](/source/Save_the_Children_Fund)

- [Fred Jordan](/source/Fred_Jordan_(singer)), farm worker from Ludlow and one of the great [traditional](/source/Traditional) [English](/source/England) singers

- [George Jeffreys](/source/George_Jeffreys%2C_1st_Baron_Jeffreys), of Wem, infamous judge

- [Georgina Frederica Jackson](/source/Georgina_Frederica_Jackson), compiler of *Shropshire Word-Book*

- [Greg Davies](/source/Greg_Davies), comedian and actor grew up in Wem

- [Humphrey Kynaston](/source/Humphrey_Kynaston) (died 1534), [highwayman](/source/Highwayman)

- [Isobel Cooper](/source/Isobel_Cooper) (Izzy), opera singer from Much Wenlock

- [Ivan Jones](/source/Ivan_Jones_(author)), writer of *The Ghost Hunter*

- [Jesse Armstrong](/source/Jesse_Armstrong), screenwriter and producer, creator of Emmy-winning TV show '[Succession](/source/Succession_(TV_series))', and co-creator of comedy TV shows '[Peep Show](/source/Peep_Show_(British_TV_series))' and '[Fresh Meat](/source/Fresh_Meat_(TV_series))'

- [John Benbow](/source/John_Benbow), Admiral of the White, born in Shrewsbury

- [John Mytton](/source/John_Mytton), 'Mad Jack' Mytton, Regency rake, MP, gambler and horseman

- [John Wilkinson](/source/John_Wilkinson_(industrialist)), of [Broseley](/source/Broseley), industrialist

- [Jonathan Corbett](/source/Jonathan_Corbett), TV presenter

- [K. K. Downing](/source/K._K._Downing), guitarist with [Judas Priest](/source/Judas_Priest)

- [Lara Jones](/source/Lara_Jones), writer of the Poppy Cat books

- [Len Murray](/source/Len_Murray), former head of the [T.U.C.](/source/Trades_Union_Congress)

- [Lord Acton](/source/John_Dalberg-Acton%2C_1st_Baron_Acton), 19th-century historian

- [Mal Lewis Jones](/source/Mal_Lewis_Jones), writer

- [Mary Beard](/source/Mary_Beard_(classicist)), classicist and public personality at [Cambridge University](/source/Cambridge_University)

- [Mary Esther Harding](/source/Mary_Esther_Harding) (1888–1971), British-American [Jungian](/source/Jungian) analyst

- [Mary Webb](/source/Mary_Webb) (1881–1927), author

- [Mirabel Osler](/source/Mirabel_Osler), author

- [Pete Postlethwaite](/source/Pete_Postlethwaite), actor, lived near [Church Stretton](/source/Church_Stretton) until his death in 2011

- Sir [Philip Sidney](/source/Philip_Sidney), prominent Elizabethan

- [Richard Lee I](/source/Richard_Lee_I), first member of the [Lee family](/source/Lee_family) of America. Ancestor of [Thomas Lee](/source/Thomas_Lee_(Virginia_colonist)), [Francis Lightfoot Lee](/source/Francis_Lightfoot_Lee), [Richard Henry Lee](/source/Richard_Henry_Lee), [Henry Lee III](/source/Henry_Lee_III), [Thomas Sim Lee](/source/Thomas_Sim_Lee), and [Confederate](/source/Confederate_States_of_America) General [Robert E. Lee](/source/Robert_E._Lee).

- [Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive](/source/Robert_Clive%2C_1st_Baron_Clive), 'Clive of India', born near Market Drayton

- [Sir Rowland Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill_(MP)), coordinator of the Geneva Bible and possible inspiration for *[As You Like It](/source/As_You_Like_It)*[53]

- [Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill%2C_1st_Viscount_Hill), Napoleonic era general

- [Stewart Lee](/source/Stewart_Lee), stand-up comedian, writer and director

- [Sybil Ruscoe](/source/Sybil_Ruscoe), TV and radio presenter

- [Trevor Rees-Jones](/source/Trevor_Rees-Jones_(bodyguard)), bodyguard and author

- [Tricia Sullivan](/source/Tricia_Sullivan), American science fiction author, lives in Shropshire

- [Wilfred Owen](/source/Wilfred_Owen), leading [First World War](/source/First_World_War) poet

- [William Farr](/source/William_Farr), epidemiologist and early bio-statistician

- [William Henry Griffith Thomas](/source/William_Henry_Griffith_Thomas) (1861–1924), [evangelical](/source/Evangelical) [Anglican](/source/Anglican) theologian

- [William Wycherley](/source/William_Wycherley), [Restoration](/source/English_Restoration) dramatist and playwright known for *[The Country Wife](/source/The_Country_Wife)*

- [William Sommers](/source/William_Sommers), court jester of Henry VIII of England was born in Shropshire

### Sports

- [Alison Williamson](/source/Alison_Williamson), of [Church Stretton](/source/Church_Stretton), archery Olympic bronze medalist

- [Amy Bagshaw](/source/Amy_Bagshaw), international [gymnast](/source/Gymnast)

- [Billy Wright](/source/Billy_Wright_(footballer_born_1924)), born in Ironbridge, [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) footballer and England captain

- [David Edwards](/source/David_Edwards_(footballer%2C_born_1986)), footballer (born in Pontesbury), Shrewsbury Town F.C & Wales

- [Ernie Clements](/source/Ernie_Clements), cyclist

- [Saffron Lane](/source/Saffron_Lane), ice hockey player

- [Sir Gordon Richards](/source/Gordon_Richards_(jockey)) (1902–1986), 26 times flat racing Champion Jockey, born at Donnington Wood

- [Harry Weetman](/source/Harry_Weetman), golfer, born Oswestry

- [Ian Woosnam](/source/Ian_Woosnam), golfer, born Oswestry, grew up at St. Martin's[170]

- [Joe Hart](/source/Joe_Hart), born in Shrewsbury, [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) and England goalkeeper

- [Matthew Jones](/source/Matthew_Jones_(footballer%2C_born_1980)), footballer

- [Matthew Webb](/source/Matthew_Webb), first man to swim the [English Channel](/source/English_Channel)

- [Sandy Lyle](/source/Sandy_Lyle), golfer, born Shrewsbury

- [William Penny Brookes](/source/William_Penny_Brookes), from Much Wenlock, founder of [Wenlock Olympian Games](/source/Wenlock_Olympian_Games)

## Sport

The [New Meadow](/source/New_Meadow) football stadium, home to [Shrewsbury Town Football Club](/source/Shrewsbury_Town_Football_Club)

Hawkstone Motocross Circuit

There are a significant number of sporting clubs and facilities in Shropshire, many of which are found in [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury#Sport) and [Telford](/source/Telford#Sport) in addition to a number of clubs found locally throughout the county. Shropshire is home to a variety of established amateur, semi-pro and professional sports clubs.

The county is home to one of five [National Sports Centres](/source/National_Sports_Centres). Situated at [Lilleshall Hall](/source/Lilleshall_Hall) just outside [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Shropshire) in [Lilleshall](/source/Lilleshall), this is where the [1966 England National football team](/source/England_national_football_team) trained for two weeks prior to their success in the [World Cup of 1966](/source/1966_FIFA_World_Cup).

### Football

The three highest [football](/source/Association_football) (and only professional) clubs in the county are [Shrewsbury Town](/source/Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.) ([EFL League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two)), [A.F.C. Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) ([Southern League Premier Division Central](/source/Southern_Football_League)) and [The New Saints](/source/The_New_Saints_F.C.) ([Welsh Premier League](/source/Welsh_Premier_League)) in Oswestry.

There are numerous semi-professional football clubs in the lower leagues. Along with this, in the lower tiers, Salopian clubs use the unofficial derby name 'El Shropico' when playing teams from the county, first used for a game between [Market Drayton Town](/source/Market_Drayton_Town_FC) and [Shawbury United](/source/Shawbury_United) in August 2016, who started the El Shropico name, which has since been used also by [Whitchurch Alport](/source/Whitchurch_Alport_F.C.) and [Shifnal Town](/source/Shifnal_Town_FC). The [governing body](/source/Sport_governing_body) in the county is the [Shropshire Football Association](/source/Shropshire_Football_Association), who organise a number of county-wide cup competitions, including the [Shropshire Senior Cup](/source/Shropshire_Senior_Cup). In 2020 the [Shropshire County Football League](/source/Shropshire_County_Football_League) was created, replacing the [Shropshire Premier League](/source/Shropshire_Premier_League). As of the 2025–26 football season[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shropshire&action=edit) the following Shropshire clubs play in these English leagues (the highest team of each club shown only):

Level League Clubs 4 League Two Shrewsbury Town 6 National League North AFC Telford United 8 Northern Premier League Division One West Shifnal Town 9 Midland League Premier Division Whitchurch Alport 10 Midland League Division One AFC Bridgnorth North West Counties League Division One South Haughmond, Shawbury United, Market Drayton Town, Allscott Heath FC, Telford Town 11 Shropshire County League Premier Division Ellesmere Rangers

Also, some clubs situated near the Welsh border play in the [Welsh league system](/source/Welsh_football_league_system):

Level League Clubs 1 Cymru Premier The New Saints 4 Central Wales Football League Northern Division Bishop's Castle Town

### Other sports

The historic [Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games](/source/Wenlock_Olympian_Society_Annual_Games) (begun 1850) are held annually in [Much Wenlock](/source/Much_Wenlock) during the second weekend in July. A four-day festival, the Games include cricket, volleyball, tennis, bowls, badminton, triathlon, 10k road race, track and field events, archery, five-a-side football, veteran cycle events, clay pigeon shooting and a golf competition.

The county [has a number](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Golf_clubs_and_courses_in_Shropshire) of private and public [golf courses](/source/Golf_course), including the [Church Stretton Golf Club](/source/Church_Stretton#Golf_course), situated on the slopes of the [Long Mynd](/source/Long_Mynd). It is the oldest 18-hole golf course in Shropshire, opened in 1898, and one of the highest in the United Kingdom. There is one notable horse racing [racecourse](/source/Racecourse) in Shropshire, near Ludlow, the [Ludlow Racecourse](/source/Ludlow_Racecourse).

[Shropshire Star Newport Nocturne](/source/Shropshire_Star_Newport_Nocturne) bike race 2006

The area also has a rich motorsports heritage, with the [Loton Park Hillclimb](/source/Loton_Park_Hillclimb) and [Hawkstone Park Motocross Circuit](/source/Hawkstone_Park_Motocross_Circuit) situated near Shrewsbury. [Shrewsbury Motocross Club](/source/Shrewsbury_Motocross_Club) has staged [motocross](/source/Motocross) events in the area for over 30 years. There is additionally an ice hockey club in the county, the [Telford Tigers](/source/Telford_Tigers).

One of the biggest one-day events in Shropshire and the biggest one-day cycle race in the UK is the [Shropshire Star Newport Nocturne](/source/Shropshire_Star_Newport_Nocturne), founded 1970; held every four years, it is Britain's only floodlit cycle race.[171]

The county has one [American football](/source/American_football) team, [Shropshire Revolution](/source/Shropshire_Revolution), which was founded in 2006, and is a club in the [British American Football League](/source/British_American_Football_League). Former teams in the county have included the [Wrekin Giants](/source/Wrekin_Giants), which ran from 1985 to 1989 and the [Shropshire Giants](/source/Shropshire_Giants) which ran in 1989. Shropshire has a number of rugby clubs, including [Newport (Salop) Rugby Union Football Club](/source/Newport_(Salop)_Rugby_Union_Football_Club), and Bridgnorth Rugby Football Club, the highest-levelled teams in the county, both playing in the [Regional 1 Midlands](/source/Regional_1_Midlands) league.

## See also

- [7603 Salopia](/source/7603_Salopia) – an [asteroid](/source/Asteroid) named after the county

- [53rd Regiment of Foot](/source/53rd_(Shropshire)_Regiment_of_Foot) – former [British Army](/source/British_Army) regiment

- [Diocese of Shrewsbury](/source/Diocese_of_Shrewsbury) – Roman Catholic [diocese](/source/Diocese) which covers all of Shropshire

- [Healthcare in Shropshire](/source/Healthcare_in_Shropshire)

- [List of English and Welsh endowed schools (19th century)#Shropshire](/source/List_of_English_and_Welsh_endowed_schools_(19th_century)#Shropshire)

- [Shropshire Archives](/source/Shropshire_Archives) – collects and makes accessible archives and books relating to the county

- [Shropshire Blue cheese](/source/Shropshire_Blue_cheese)

## References

### Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Shropshire Lieutenancy | Shropshire Council"](https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/legal-and-democratic-services/shropshire-lieutenancy/). Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["High Sheriffs"](https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/high-sheriffs/). *The Privy Council Office*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_5-0)** Also used officially as the name of the county from 1974–1980. The [demonym](/source/Demonym) for inhabitants of the county "Salopian" derives from this name. - ["Salopian definition and meaning"](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/salopian). Collins Dictionary. Retrieved 20 June 2023. - ["Salop definition and meaning"](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/salop). Collins Dictionary. Retrieved 8 April 2018.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Boscobel House: Charles II and the Royal Oak"](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/boscobel-house-and-the-royal-oak/history/charles-ii-and-the-royal-oak/). *English Heritage*. Retrieved 4 September 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-Portable_Antiq_Scheme_20-0)** ["BULLA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200122183220/https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/902916). *Portable Antiquities Scheme*. Archived from [the original](https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/902916) on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Stummer, Robin (27 June 2015). ["Hill fort said to be where King Arthur's Guinevere was born has lasted 3,000 years: now it's under siege"](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/27/old-oswestry-hill-fort-housing-development). *The Observer*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0029-7712](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0029-7712). Retrieved 23 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Roman Military Campaigns - Caratacus ap Cunobelin Catuvellaunum"](https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/the-roman-conquest-of-britain/roman-military-campaigns-caratacus-ap-cunobelin-catuvellaunum/). *Roman Britain*. Retrieved 23 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["The Wroxeter Hinterland Project"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060925014012/http://www.arch-ant.bham.ac.uk/bufau/research/wh/Lever/background.html). University of Birmingham. Archived from [the original](http://www.arch-ant.bham.ac.uk/bufau/research/wh/Lever/background.html) on 25 September 2006. Retrieved 23 February 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Jenkins, Simon (2008). *Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles*. London: Allen Lane. p. 245.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["The Ruins of the Roman City of Uriconium, at Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury, by Thomas Wright"](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/62425/62425-h/62425-h.htm). *www.gutenberg.org*. Retrieved 20 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bede_nine_27-0)** Bede, *[Historia Ecclesiastica](/source/Historia_ecclesiastica_gentis_Anglorum)*, [Book III, chapter 9](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical_History_of_the_English_People/Book_3#9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["History of Wenlock Priory"](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wenlock-priory/history/). *English Heritage*. Retrieved 19 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["The Abbesses' Way - British Pilgrimage Trust"](https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/abbesses-way). *www.britishpilgrimage.org*. Retrieved 19 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Shipley, John (2019). [*Secret Shrewsbury*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YZOSDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT18). Amberley Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1445678450](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1445678450).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-auto_31-0)** Leighton, W. A. (William Allport) (1850). ["A guide, descriptive and historical, through the Town of Shrewsbury"](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62688/pg62688-images.html.utf8). Retrieved 8 July 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). ["Shropshire § History"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Shropshire#History). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 1021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** "Æthelflæd [Ethelfleda](d. 918)". *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography#Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ref:odnb/8907](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodnb%2F8907). (Subscription, [Wikipedia Library](https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/partners/88/) access or [UK public library membership](https://www.oxforddnb.com/help/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** [Stenton, Frank](/source/Frank_Stenton) (1971). *Anglo-Saxon England* (3rd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 325–327. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-280139-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-280139-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Clarkson, Tim (2018). *Æthelflæd: The Lady of the Mercians*. Edinburgh, UK: John Donald. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-910900-16-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-910900-16-1).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_37-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_37-1) Matthew Blake and Andrew Sargent (2018). *'For the Protection of all the People': Æthelflæd and her Burhs in Northwest Mercia*. Keele University.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** [Meijns, Brigitte](/source/Brigitte_Meijns) (2010). "The Policy on Relic Translations of Baldwin II of Flanders (879–918), Edward of Wessex (899–924), and Æthelflæd of Mercia (d.924): A Key to Anglo-Flemish Relations". In Rollason, David; Leyser, Conrad; Williams, Hannah (eds.). *England and the Continent in the Tenth Century*. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols. p. 476. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9782503532080](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9782503532080).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-localhistories.org_40-0)** Lambert, Tim. ["Saxon and Medieval Shrewsbury"](http://www.localhistories.org/shrewsbury.html). *A Short History of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England*. A World History Encyclopaedia. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120315203401/http://www.localhistories.org/shrewsbury.html) from the original on 15 March 2012.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Roger de Montgomery, 1st earl of Shrewsbury - Norman noble"](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-de-Montgomery-1st-earl-of-Shrewsbury). *Encyclopædia Britannica*. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["Ludlow Castle"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071114174452/http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/shropshire/Ludlow_Castle.html). 14 November 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/shropshire/Ludlow_Castle.html) on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** [Shrewsbury Museums Service – Shrewsbury Castle & The Shropshire Regimental Museum](https://archive.today/20120909122105/http://www.shrewsburymuseums.com/castle). Shrewsburymuseums.com. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Trinder_45-0)** Trinder, Barrie (1983). *A History of Shropshire*. Phillimore. p. 46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** [Secret Shropshire](http://www.secretshropshire.org.uk/Content/Learn/Castles/MWar.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928195704/http://www.secretshropshire.org.uk/Content/Learn/Castles/MWar.asp) 28 September 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Secret Shropshire. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-griffiths_47-0)** [Griffiths, Ralph](/source/Ralph_A._Griffiths) (1972). "Wales and the Marches in the Fifteenth Century". In [Chrimes, Stanley](/source/S_B_Chrimes); [Ross, Charles](/source/Charles_Ross_(historian)); [Griffiths, Ralph](/source/Ralph_A._Griffiths) (eds.). *Fifteenth Century England, 1399–1509: Studies in Politics and Society*. Bristol: Sutton Publishing. pp. 145–72.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-davies_48-0)** John Davies, *A History of Wales*, Penguin, 1993, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-14-028475-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-14-028475-3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** Stephen, Wright. "Ottley, Sir Francis". *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography#Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ref:odnb/20940](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodnb%2F20940). (Subscription, [Wikipedia Library](https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/partners/88/) access or [UK public library membership](https://www.oxforddnb.com/help/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** ["JONES, Thomas I (1614-92), of Shrewsbury, Salop and Cerreghwfa, Mont. | History of Parliament Online"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230415191158/http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/jones-thomas-i-1614-92). *www.historyofparliamentonline.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/jones-thomas-i-1614-92) on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** ["A stroll into the history of Shrewsbury"](https://www.shropshireandbeyond.com/blog/a-stroll-into-the-history-of-shrewsbury). *Shropshire and Beyond*. Retrieved 20 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** ["Much Wenlock and the Wenlock Olympian Games"](https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Much-Wenlock/). *Historic UK*. Retrieved 23 July 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-DNB_94-0)** Cust, Lionel Henry (1892). ["Ireland, John (d.1808)"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1885-1900/Ireland,_John_(d.1808)). In [Lee, Sidney](/source/Sidney_Lee) (ed.). *[Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography)*. Vol. 29. London: [Smith, Elder & Co](/source/Smith%2C_Elder_%26_Co). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain).

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shropshirehistory.com1_116-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shropshirehistory.com1_116-1) ["Shropshire County Council"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170430084407/http://shropshirehistory.com/government/county.htm). *Shropshirehistory.com*. Archived from [the original](http://shropshirehistory.com/government/county.htm) on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2018. The term Salopian, derived from Salop, is still used to mean 'from Shropshire' and Salop can also mean the county town of Shrewsbury.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-117)** [About Shropshire](http://www.calverhall-village.co.uk/Shropshirepage.htm) Calverhall Village

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-124)** Bathurst, David (2012). *Walking the county high points of England*. Chichester: Summersdale. pp. 182–191. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84-953239-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84-953239-6).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-Weather-Atlas_130-0)** ["Monthly weather forecast and Climate – Shawbury, United Kingdom"](https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/united-kingdom/shawbury-climate#uv_index). Weather Atlas. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-131)** [Shropshire Routes to Roots | Sources and collections | Trade directories](http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/packages/src/src_t06.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070812212227/http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/packages/src/src_t06.htm) 12 August 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Shropshire-cc.gov.uk (13 July 2007). Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-132)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110411135953/http://wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/68941C30-A7CB-44F3-822B-8B6D09E6932C/19217/Wellington.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/68941C30-A7CB-44F3-822B-8B6D09E6932C/19217/Wellington.pdf) (PDF) on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2010.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-133)** ["Madeley Parish Profile 2001 Census"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211201191126/https://www.telford.gov.uk/downloads/file/267/madeley_parish_profile_2001_census). *Telford and Wrekin Council*. Archived from [the original](https://www.telford.gov.uk/downloads/file/267/madeley_parish_profile_2001_census) on 1 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-134)** [Shropshire – Your Place and Mine – Dawley](https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/places/dawley/dawley_history.shtml). BBC. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-135)** Council, Oakengates Town. ["Oakengates Town Council Home Information"](https://www.oakengates-tc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=1). *oakengates-tc.gov.uk*. Retrieved 16 January 2020.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-136)** The population figures given here are all as at 2001 Census.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-137)** [Oakengates lined up for huge revamp « Shropshire Star](http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2010/11/29/oakengates-lined-up-for-huge-revamp/). Shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-138)** [\[1\]](https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/series?xCenter=3160000&yCenter=3160000&scale=63360&viewScale=5805357.4656&mapLayer=nineteenth&subLayer=first_edition&title=Ordnance%20Survey%20and%20Ordnance%20Survey%20of%20Scotland%20First%20Series&download=true). Map of Historic Shropshire - Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey Scotland First Series. Retrieved 4 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-139)** [National Statistics](http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=0&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=4&containerAreaId=790501) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110613065021/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=0&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=4&containerAreaId=790501) 13 June 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Bridgnorth district parishes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-140)** Sunday Mercury 2 March 1980 "Shropshire Council scraps Salop title"

1. **[^](#cite_ref-141)** ["The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009: Article 5"](https://legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/837/article/5/made), *[legislation.gov.uk](/source/Legislation.gov.uk)*, [The National Archives](/source/The_National_Archives_(United_Kingdom)), SI 2009/837 (art. 5), retrieved 18 July 2024

1. **[^](#cite_ref-142)** Lanyon, Emma-Kate. ["Shropshire's Agricultural Collection"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181214213933/http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/homepage:20060830100511). *Discovershropshire.org.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/homepage:20060830100511) on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-143)** [Shropshire Towns – Towns in Shropshire, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry](http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire-towns/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080331171102/http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire%2Dtowns/) 31 March 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Shropshiretourism.co.uk (21 March 2011). Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-144)** ["ABTA announces its 10 Destinations to Watch in 2024 ahead of Sunshine Saturday"](https://www.abta.com/news/abta-announces-its-10-destinations-watch-2024-ahead-sunshine-saturday). *ABTA*. Retrieved 7 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-145)** ['Gateway to Wales'](http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_2_display_ByL1.asp?GetL1=142) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071017183803/http://british-towns.net/en/level_2_display_ByL1.asp?GetL1=142) 17 October 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). British-towns.net. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-publications.parliament.uk_146-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-publications.parliament.uk_146-1) [Lords Hansard text for 20 Jul 200920 July 2009 (pt 0002)](https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90720-0002.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171120165533/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90720-0002.htm) 20 November 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Publications.parliament.uk (20 July 2009). Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-147)** ["New operator for Telford International Railfreight Park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160131113750/http://www.telford.gov.uk/news/article/833/new_operator_for_telford_international_railfreight_park). *Telford.gov.uk*. 2 July 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.telford.gov.uk/news/article/833/new_operator_for_telford_international_railfreight_park) on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-148)** [Telford Shopping Centre](http://www.telfordshopping.co.uk). Telfordshopping.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-149)** ["Darwin Shopping Centre"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927000248/http://www.darwinsc.enta.net/). Archived from [the original](http://www.darwinsc.enta.net/) on 27 September 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-150)** ["Müller - Faqs"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080523173636/http://www.muller.co.uk/faqs/). 23 May 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.muller.co.uk/faqs/) on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-151)** ["Muller takes on Minsterley creamery with promise to protect jobs"](https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/01/02/muller-takes-on-minsterley-creamery-with-promise-to-protect-jobs/). *Shropshirestar.com*. Retrieved 5 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-152)** "Demolition to start at creamery, Landmark buildings to disappear". *Shropshire Star*. 12 June 2015. p. 6.Report by Emma Walker.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-153)** [RAF – Stations](http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/stations.cfm?selectLocation=West+Midlands) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214538/http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/stations.cfm?selectLocation=West+Midlands) 5 November 2013 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-154)** ["Central Air Traffic Control School: RAF Shawbury"](https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C6073571). National Archives. Retrieved 8 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-155)** [Contact Us](http://www.pdsa.org.uk/contactus.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070922175438/http://www.pdsa.org.uk/contactus.html) 22 September 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). PDSA (29 July 2011). Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-156)** ["Genius of Invention"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qmbkn). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130522160154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qmbkn) from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-157)** ["Regional Gross Value Added"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110728091019/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf) (PDF). 28 July 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf) (PDF) on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated2_158-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated2_158-1) Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated4_159-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated4_159-1) includes hunting and forestry

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated5_160-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated5_160-1) includes energy and construction

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-autogenerated3_161-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-autogenerated3_161-1) includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

1. **[^](#cite_ref-162)** [GCSE: Top comprehensive schools](https://web.archive.org/web/20070310210359/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,10302,00.html) – *The Times*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-163)** Thomas, William Gwyn (25 June 2009). ["A report on the quality of education in Llanfyllin High School"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120825065258/http://www.estyn.gov.uk/download/publication/81654.3/inspection-reportllanfyllin-high-schooleng2009/). [Estyn](/source/Estyn). Archived from [the original](http://www.estyn.gov.uk/download/publication/81654.3/inspection-reportllanfyllin-high-schooleng2009/) on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-164)** [Shropshire Star](http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/03/28/new-university-for-shropshire/) *New university for Shropshire given go ahead* (28 March 2014)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-165)** [Defra UK; ERDP – West Midlands ERDP Regional Chapter](http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/docs/wmchapter/section13/population.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080611155028/http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/docs/wmchapter/section13/population.htm) 11 June 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-166)** [Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Trust](http://www.sncanal.org.uk). Sncanal.org.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-167)** ["Last Wrexham-Shropshire-London train departs"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12305519). *[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)*. 28 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-168)** ["Direct rail services from Shropshire to London will start on December 14"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150426221718/http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/09/22/rail-regulator-approves-direct-rail-services-from-shropshire-to-london/). *[Shropshire Star](/source/Shropshire_Star)*. 22 September 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/09/22/rail-regulator-approves-direct-rail-services-from-shropshire-to-london/) on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-169)** ["Direct Shropshire-London train service to end"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6pvvzw89ldo). *BBC News*. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-170)** ["Shropshire Star"](https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-wmids/shropshire-star/). *British Papers*. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-171)** Mott, R. A. (1957). "The earliest use of coke for ironmaking". *Gas World*. **145**: 7–18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-172)** ["Hussards Photos"](http://www.hussards-photos.com/UK/UK_3_CDV_Ludlow.htm). *www.hussards-photos.com*. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-173)** [*Ian Woosnam's world tour has gone full circle*](https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/cricket/2018/09/08/big-interview-ian-woosnams-world-tour-has-gone-full-circle/), Shropshire Star, 10 September 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-174)** ["Newport Nocturne Returns"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080828021428/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2007/20070814_Newport_Nocturne.asp). 28 August 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2007/20070814_Newport_Nocturne.asp) on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

### Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Tim Clarkson's biography has a detailed discussion of Æthelflæd' burhs.[35]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** thought to be [Whitchurch](/source/Whitchurch%2C_Shropshire),[36] which would make sense given the strategic importance of the Roman Road link via the [Via Devana](/source/Via_Devana).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-127)** [RAF Shawbury](/source/RAF_Shawbury) is located approximately *7 miles (11 km)* [NE](/source/Boxing_the_compass) of [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury), and *12 miles (19 km)* [NW](/source/Boxing_the_compass) of [Telford](/source/Telford).

## Further reading

- Gareth Roddy, ["'Westward on the high-hilled plains': the literature of Shropshire and the early twentieth century imagination, 1896–c.1939"](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13619462.2018.1471683), *[Contemporary British History](/source/Contemporary_British_History)*, vol. 33, no. 1 (2019), pp. 28–51.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Shropshire](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Shropshire).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Shropshire](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Shropshire#Q23103)***.

- [Shropshire Council](http://www.shropshire.gov.uk)

- [BBC Shropshire news](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/shropshire)

- [*Shropshire Star*](http://www.shropshirestar.com)

- [Images of Shropshire](https://web.archive.org/web/20121002095724/http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0) at the [English Heritage Archive](/source/English_Heritage_Archive)

- [The History of Parliament: the House of Commons – Shropshire, County, 1386 to 1831](http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/constituencies/shropshire) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032309/http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/constituencies/shropshire) 1 December 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Neighbouring counties Wrexham/Clwyd Cheshire Staffordshire Powys SHROPSHIRE Staffordshire Powys Herefordshire Worcestershire

v t e Ceremonial county of Shropshire Unitary authorities Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Major settlements (cities in italics) Bishop's Castle Bridgnorth Broseley Church Stretton Cleobury Mortimer Clun Craven Arms Ellesmere Ludlow Market Drayton Much Wenlock Newport Oswestry Shifnal Shrewsbury Telford (Dawley Madeley Oakengates Wellington) Wem Whitchurch See also: List of civil parishes in Shropshire Rivers Camlad Clun Corve Ledwyche Onny Perry Rea Rea Brook Redlake Roden Severn Teme Tern Unk Vyrnwy Worfe Canals Llangollen Canal Montgomery Canal Shrewsbury Canal Shropshire Union Canal Topics Flag Geology Shrewsbury floods Settlements History (Civil War) Museums Schools Parliamentary constituencies SSSIs Country houses Grade I listed buildings Grade II* listed buildings Lord Lieutenants High Sheriffs Rail transport Windmills

v t e Districts of the West Midlands Region Herefordshire Herefordshire Shropshire Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Staffordshire Cannock Chase East Staffordshire Lichfield Newcastle-under-Lyme South Staffordshire Stafford Staffordshire Moorlands Stoke-on-Trent Tamworth Warwickshire North Warwickshire Nuneaton and Bedworth Rugby Stratford-on-Avon Warwick West Midlands Birmingham Coventry Dudley Sandwell Solihull Walsall Wolverhampton Worcestershire Bromsgrove Malvern Hills Redditch Worcester Wychavon Wyre Forest

v t e 1974–1996 ← Ceremonial counties of England → current Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham East Riding of Yorkshire East Sussex Essex Gloucestershire Greater London Greater Manchester Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire City of London Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland North Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Rutland Shropshire Somerset South Yorkshire Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Tyne and Wear Warwickshire West Midlands West Sussex West Yorkshire Wiltshire Worcestershire

Authority control databases International GND National Czech Republic Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Shropshire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shropshire) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shropshire?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.