Shropshire has a rich past
Not only is Shropshire a first choice location for enterprise and one of England’s few remaining rural idylls, but it is also a county with a rich historical, architectural, geological, botanical and sporting past. For instance, did you also know that…
Charles darwin is shrewsbury’s most famous son
He was recently voted as one of the greatest Britons. The naturalist and author of “The Origin of Species” was born in Shrewsbury on 12 February 1809.
Each year the “DarwIN Festival” is held in Shrewsbury. It focuses on commemorating the life and legacy of Charles Darwin. It features various events including exhibitions, talks, walking tours, and special events around Darwin’s childhood home and the town, all aimed at educating people about his scientific contributions and life story.
Shrewsbury houses the tallest doric column in England
Situated outside the Shropshire Council offices, standing at 133 ft 6 in (40.7 m), it commemorates Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill, with a 17 ft (5.2 m) tall statue standing on the top of the column. Built between 1814 and 1816, the column’s diameter is 2 ft (0.6 m) wider than Nelson’s Column, and, not including the pedestal, is 15 ft (4.6 m) higher.
Shropshire can boast 32 castles, 25 hillforts and the heart of a king
The heart of Henry VIII’s older brother Arthur is buried in St Laurence Church in historic Ludlow beneath the chancel. The rest of his body was interred at Worcester Cathedral.
Shropshire is home to the world’s first skyscraper
Ditherington Flax Mill, on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, was the first multi-storey iron-framed building – and therefore the forerunner of every skyscraper and tower block in the world. Built in 1797, it has recently undergone an exciting redevelopment. It is one of 660 listed buildings in the town.
Home of the modern-day olympics
The first-ever modern-day Olympic Games were held in Shropshire. To be precise, Much Wenlock in 1850. The brainchild of Dr Brookes, the games were originally designed to promote the moral, physical and intellectual improvement of the inhabitants of the town and its neighbourhood. Their success was a major factor in the creation of the international Olympic Games in 1896.
Shropshire is situated between two world heritage sites
Shropshire is sandwiched between two world heritage sites (Ironbridge Gorge and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct).
An area of outstanding natural beauty
The Shropshire Hills are designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and cover around a quarter of the County’s area.
Shropshire is home to Müller dairy
Müller Dairy, which is based in Market Drayton in the north-east of the county – and 90% of the milk used in production comes from within 30 miles of the dairy. Their TV adverts regularly showcase our beautiful countryside and the first was shown in September 2008.
Shropshire has its own ‘tower of pisa’ only better!
The castle keep at Bridgnorth leans at a seventeen-degree angle. This is three times further than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The richest man in history lived in the county
Most of Shropshire was granted to Roger De Montgomerie by William the Conqueror after 1066, which helped Roger’s wealth grow so much that he is considered, in real terms, the richest man in history.
Origin of the sweet pea flower
Besides having one of the shortest names in Britain, the Shropshire town of Wem is also responsible for giving the world the Sweet Pea flower.
A community-owned castle
Among its many castles Whittington Castle in north Shropshire is the country’s only community-owned castle
Unique for its geology
Shropshire, particularly the south of the county, is something of a magnet for geologists. There are more rocks of different ages here than any area of similar size in the world (dating from 700 to 200 million years ago). Places like Ludlow and Wenlock Edge have even given their names to geological periods. The world’s oldest known complete fossil was also discovered in Shropshire at Caradoc, near Church Stretton.
A popular location for films and tv
Shropshire has provided locations for a number of films and TV over the years. Most recently ‘Time’ (2021) which was filmed at Shrewsbury Prison and prior to this: Atonement (2007) Stokesay Castle; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) Severn Valley Railway; Clockwise (1986); Lost in Austen (2008); A Christmas Carol (1984) and Absolution (1978)… among others.
Houses an internationally renowned wildlife site
Fenn’s Whixall Moss National Nature Reserve is an internationally important designated wildlife site and is one of the most southerly lowland raised bogs in Britain; and, at 948 hectares (2,340 acres) it is also the third largest.
An ideal place for a food and drink business
All three of the West Midlands business support functions for the food and drink industry are within the county of Shropshire, making it the best place to start up, expand or relocate your food and drink business.