Title: Bear Steps
Description: Shuts of Shrewsbury 9
Description: Shuts of Shrewsbury 9
Proud Salopian - June 7, 2005 07:41 AM (GMT)
Shuts of Shrewsbury No 9 - Bear Steps
St Alkmund's Place - Fish Street
The very heart of tourist Shrewsbury has to be the Bear Steps buildings (restored and occupied by the Civic Society) and running through the buildings are the Bear Steps. The name comes from an inn which was on the site, called The Bear. This passage begins on St Alkmund's Place, where Prince Rupert's Hotel is, and goes down to Fish Street, meaning pedestrians can cut a corner. The section which is flat (ie. where the toilets are) was in fact occupied by buildings until about 50 years ago and another shut, "Burying Shut", connected the churchyard and the Bear Steps to St Alkmund's Place. Now this older shut is just a path that leads to the Bear Steps.
To the left is a cafe, but straight on the Bear Steps descend onto Fish Street, almost opposite Grope Lane, which heads down to High Street and The Square. This part of Shrewsbury has barely changed in centuries and if it weren't for the occassional car it would be very museum like. As I said, definetely the heart of tourist Shrewsbury.
Very short, medieval and useful. The gallary at the Civic Society regularly show exhibitions to do with the history and future heritage projects of the town. Recently they did something on the possible restoration of the Shrewsbury to Newport Canal, for example.
St Alkmund's Place - Fish Street
The very heart of tourist Shrewsbury has to be the Bear Steps buildings (restored and occupied by the Civic Society) and running through the buildings are the Bear Steps. The name comes from an inn which was on the site, called The Bear. This passage begins on St Alkmund's Place, where Prince Rupert's Hotel is, and goes down to Fish Street, meaning pedestrians can cut a corner. The section which is flat (ie. where the toilets are) was in fact occupied by buildings until about 50 years ago and another shut, "Burying Shut", connected the churchyard and the Bear Steps to St Alkmund's Place. Now this older shut is just a path that leads to the Bear Steps.
To the left is a cafe, but straight on the Bear Steps descend onto Fish Street, almost opposite Grope Lane, which heads down to High Street and The Square. This part of Shrewsbury has barely changed in centuries and if it weren't for the occassional car it would be very museum like. As I said, definetely the heart of tourist Shrewsbury.
Very short, medieval and useful. The gallary at the Civic Society regularly show exhibitions to do with the history and future heritage projects of the town. Recently they did something on the possible restoration of the Shrewsbury to Newport Canal, for example.