Visit one of England's most haunted towns for a Halloween treat
If you're in the mood for an atmospheric autumn break in time for Halloween, you might consider a trip to nearby Shropshire. Sometimes called the 'creepy county', Shropshire is blessed with stunning natural beauty and historic towns and villages. Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, is a traditional market town, packed with quirky independent shops, nice cafes and picture perfect cobbled lanes.
It is also reputed to be among the most haunted towns in England, with the Nag's Head Pub and the Prince Rupert Hotel known to be particular hotspots for paranormal activity. If ghost-hunting isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Shrewsbury, from river cruises to walking tours. Whatever you do, make sure you embrace the town's relaxed vibe, and make time to wander through the narrow streets, taking in the beauty of the eclectic mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture.
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What are the best attractions in Shrewsbury?
You could start with a bit of shopping on Wyle Cop, where you'll find lovely boutiques housed in half-timbered buildings. Then you could head to the town's library to pay homage to Shrewsbury's most famous son, Charles Darwin, father of the theory of evolution. Outside the library, there is a statue of the great man. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, which used to be based in the library building.
If you fancy doing a guided tour of the town, you'll be spoilt for choice. You could do a riverboat cruise on the River Severn, which flows through Shrewsbury, or you could do a walking tour. In December, there are special Christmas Carol-themed guided tours of the town. The 1984 adaptation of the Dickens book was filmed in Shrewsbury, and you can visit the film locations, guided by an expert.
History buffs will enjoy going to Shrewsbury Castle, home to the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum, where you can see a lock of Napoleon's hair. The castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of a 12th century serial killer. If that whets your appetite for true crime, a trip to Dana Prison might be your next port of call. The Victorian prison was decommissioned in 2013, and now you can do prison tours there, led by ex-guards. They'll tell you dark tales of prison life, showing you the old cells, communal spaces and even the hanging room.
For something a little less grim, you could head out of the town to explore the surrounding countryside. Poets have written about the beauty of the Shropshire Hills, and with good reason. You could also take a trip to nearby Ironbridge Gorge and see the famous bridge built by Thomas Telford.
Alternatively, you could go to the lovely market town of Ludlow, which is easily accessible by rail from Shrewsbury. Going to Ludlow is like stepping back in time. It has a beautiful, vibrant marketplace and some fantastic pubs, many of which are also rumoured to be haunted.
How do I get to Shrewsbury from Merseyside?
If you want to drive to Shrewsbury from Liverpool, it will take just under two hours in the car. On public transport, the journey can be done in as little as 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can either hop on the train at Liverpool Lime Street and get the train to Crewe, where you can get a connecting train to Shrewsbury, or you can take a Merseyrail train from Liverpool to Chester and get a direct train from Chester to Shrewsbury. The Chester to Shrewsbury service takes just under an hour.