Life in Shropshire

Shropshire is the largest inland county in England. It is a rural county and is home to almost 325,000 people. The majority live in the county town of Shrewsbury, and within Telford & Wrekin.

About the area

Landscape

Shropshire is home to some of England’s most varied landscapes, from the rugged Stiperstones ridge and rolling hills around Clun, to the fossil-rich limestone of Wenlock Edge. The Shropshire Hills National Landscape provides a scenic backdrop for peaceful walks or outdoor adventures.

Nestled on the Welsh border, the county is also within close reach of some of the UK's National Parks - Eryri, the Peak District and the Brecon Beacons, with the Lake District accessible with a slightly longer drive.

Towns

The county's population and economy are centred around five main towns:

Shrewsbury, the county town, which is culturally and historically important and is located close to the centre of the county
Telford, a newer town which is vibrant with many restaurants, cinema and a large shopping centre
Oswestry, a market town situated on the Welsh border
Bridgnorth, a town split in two by the River Severn
Ludlow, in the south of the county, a town famous for its gourmet food and ruined medieval castle

Shropshire also has smaller market towns, all with good transport links to Shrewsbury and Telford - Whitchurch, Newport and Market Drayton.

Culture and Leisure

Outdoor pursuit

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin offer fantastic opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, with the nearby National Parks adding even more choice. From walking, cycling and horse‑riding to climbing, canoeing and wild swimming, there’s something for everyone. For those seeking adventure, activities like paragliding, parachuting and skydiving are available, while camping lets you simply relax and take in the county’s stunning landscapes.

Culture and arts

Shropshire offers a vibrant cultural scene, from Theatre Severn’s mix of live performances and films to independent cinemas and local galleries showcasing art and crafts. Museums across the county bring history to life with Roman treasures, military exhibits and even a woolly mammoth. Alongside popular food festivals, Shropshire hosts annual music events including the renowned Shrewsbury Folk Festival and the Green Man Festival in nearby Powys.

Shopping

Telford has the biggest shopping centre in the county, with over 160 high street stores. There is also the Southwater development, which houses an IMAX cinema, Tenpin Bowling, Telford Library, ice rink and a selection of restaurants and bars.

Shrewsbury has a smaller shopping centre but boasts an impressive selection of independant and boutique shops, whereas Ludlow has a market in the town swuare each week, situated underneath the castle ruins. Bishops Castle also has a variety of art, antiques and craft shops, as well as the oldest working brewery in Britain, dating back to 1642!

Competitive sports

Many sports are well catered for locally, including football, rugby, golf, ice skating, ice hockey, rock climbing, squash, tennis and fishing. The sports partnership Energize promotes access to a wide range of organised activities.

There are also local teams to watch and support. League 2 football team Shrewsbury Town F.C play at the Croud Meadow, and there is also the Telford Tigers ice hockey team.

Places of worship

Shropshire is a diverse county, with a range of places to worship to suit your own personal beliefs.

During working hours personal practice can be conducted within the dedicated multi-faith spaces at both The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital and all religions and world views are welcomed. These private spaces are available to any person for private prayer or a time of quiet.

Our Chaplaincy Team can give details of places of worship in the area if you would like to contact them directly:

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: 01743 261000 Ext. 3638

The Princess Royal Hospital, Telford: 01952 641222 Ext. 4519

Email: sath.chaplaincyteam@nhs.net

Transport

Despite its rural location Shropshire is well connected, with easy access via the M54 and A5, and major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool all within reach. Regular bus and rail services link the towns to London, Cardiff and beyond, while Park and Ride options make local travel simple.

Birmingham International Airport is just an hour away, with Manchester and Liverpool airports also nearby. Shropshire offers sustainable travel choices too, with expanding cycle routes, walking paths and over 300 electric vehicle charging points across the county.