Pictures of Shrewsbury Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Shrewsbury, in the county of Shropshire

Shrewsbury Abbey Picture Tour Hotels near Shrewsbury Abbey Submit a history of Shrewsbury Abbey Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Shrewsbury Abbey Reviews Submit pictures Shrewsbury Abbey Map Add to favourites

About Shrewsbury Abbey

The site of Shrewsbury Abbey is an ancient one, quite possibly dating back to Saxon times when a wooden church would have stood on this spot. A small church community was recorded in the Doomsday Book.

Today's Abbey was founded during the 1080's by Roger de Montgomery, who answering the call of a priest returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, agreed to convert the existing church into a grand abbey. Roger transported monks from his homeland in Normandy to assist with the building work, and by 1087 monastic life was established. Fulchered, the first Abbot came from Normandy. Roger de Montgomery took the vows in the Abbey in 1094, but three days later he was dead.

During the 12th and 13th-centuries Shrewsbury Abbey rose to become one of the most important in the country, the Abbots garnered riches and held immense power. It was during a pilgrimage to Wales in the 12th-century that Prior, Robert Pennant discovered the remains of St. Winifred. He brought her back to be enshrined at Shrewsbury, with this single act the Prior made the abbey a place of pilgrimage, ranking second only to Canterbury.

Visitors to the abbey will learn much of its fascinating history, this includes its use as the first seat of the House of Commons when Parliament was held here in 1283, visit by Henry V who made a pilgrimage to Shrewsbury, and the warring of monarchs and monks. In today's world, the abbey has been made more famous as the home of Brother Cadfael, literary creation of Ellis Peters. Her rich portrayal of Brother Cadfael as a herbalist and monk with extraordinary powers of detection has thrilled readers all over the World.

Much Norman work is preserved in the abbey. The font is reputedly made from a Roman capital, there is splendid stained glass, the west tower has a fine Perpendicular window and there are tombs and monuments dating from 1300 onwards.

Latter day features include the chancel, this was designed by Pearson in 1887 and built by the generosity of Mrs Harriet Juson of Shrewsbury who left £10,000 to meet the costs of the new construction. Visitors will also note beautiful stained glass of the 19th-century.

Shrewsbury Abbey remains a place of Christian worship where visitors are welcome to join in services, tour the abbey, visit the abbey shop and enjoy musical concerts held in this ancient building where there is an ever-present sense of the past combined with a faith in the future and the care of an ever loving God.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Shrewsbury Abbey.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Shrewsbury Abbey and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Shrewsbury Abbey

The Dingle Gardens	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)	Pictures
Shrewsbury Castle	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)	Pictures
Haughmond Abbey	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Attingham Park	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Wroxeter Roman City	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Grinshill Hill	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Acton Burnell Castle	(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Moreton Corbet Castle	(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Wenlock Priory	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Hawkstone Park	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures

All attractions in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Shrewsbury Abbey

Shrewsbury, in the county of Shropshire (0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Shrewsbury is a wonderfully atmospheric town which beguiles the visitor with sights of bygone centuries and much a great charm is to be found in its narrow streets and medieval buildings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Condover, in the county of Shropshire (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S)
A quiet and peaceful place, its pretty properties protected from the traffic that speeds down the main A49, Condover lies seemingly undisturbed by the passage of time.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

High Ercall, in the county of Shropshire (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NE)
High Ercall, or rather Arkle, as the locals pronounce it, is the very epitome of rural charm.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Acton Burnell, in the county of Shropshire (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction S)
Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Grinshill, in the county of Shropshire (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction N)
The picturesque village of Grinshill is spread beneath Grinshill Hill, an isolated rocky outcrop which rises above the plains of the Severn Valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leebotwood, in the county of Shropshire (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction S)
Charming village, lying north of Church Stretton within the shadow of the Long Mynd.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hodnet, in the county of Shropshire (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction NE)
Shropshire is a beautiful old county with a wealth of ancient and historic villages, some, like Hodnet, retain wonderful 'gems' from an old and illustrious past.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ironbridge, in the county of Shropshire (12.3 miles, 19.9 km, direction SE)
This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge..
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Colemere, in the county of Shropshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction N)
Clolemere is a countryside heritage site with miles of waymarked walks circling over 70 acres of water, woodland and sweet scented meadows.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Little Stretton, in the county of Shropshire (13.3 miles, 21.5 km, direction S)
Little Stretton lies in a charming rural area a short distance from the old town of Church Stretton.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Shrewsbury Station	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Yorton Station	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
M54 Junction 7	(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction E)
M54 Junction 6	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction E)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport	(43.4 miles, 69.9 km, direction N)
Birmingham International Airport	(45.9 miles, 73.9 km, direction SE)
Shrewsbury Abbey to London	(138.9 miles, 223.5 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Shrewsbury Abbey

Hotel Name
The Lion Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Sandford House Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Abbots Mead Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Cromwells Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Sleep Inn Shrewsbury	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction SE)
Albright Hussey	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction N)
Mercure Albrighton Hall Shrewsbury	(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction N)
Dovecote Grange Guest House	(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction E)
The Old Orleton Inn	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction E)
Swallow Buckatree Hall Hotel	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts