Our team recently enjoyed our annual staff day out, joining both our Birkenhead and Hawarden offices for a visit to Shrewsbury. We led our own walking tour of the town’s rich architectural heritage and historic urban landscape. Enjoying some welcome sunshine, we began at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, widely recognised as the world’s first iron-framed multi-storey building, before continuing through the town to discover a variety of architectural styles spanning almost a thousand years of history.
Throughout the day, we explored many of Shrewsbury’s key landmarks, including Shrewsbury Abbey, St Chad’s Church, the Quarry, and the town’s extensive collection of medieval timber-framed and Georgian buildings. The town’s compact historic centre provided an excellent opportunity to experience how architecture, landscape and public spaces come together to create a distinctive sense of place, with views of the River Severn and a wealth of well-preserved historic streetscapes at every turn. A well-earned lunch stop by the river also gave us the chance to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Visits included the award-winning Market Hall, the ongoing restoration of Rowley’s House, and several of the town’s finest churches and civic buildings. We also took time to observe recent regeneration projects and public realm improvements, reflecting on how historic towns can successfully balance preservation with contemporary development. The trip provided a valuable opportunity to study architecture, urban design and heritage conservation first-hand, while also enjoying time together outside the office. It was an informative, enjoyable and inspiring day, rounded off with sunshine and a chance to appreciate one of the country’s characterful and historic towns.
