Grope Lane, Shuts of Shrewsbury 10

[Proud Salopian]

Shuts of Shrewsbury No 10 - Grope Lane

Fish Street - High Street

Ask someone who knows Shrewsbury to think of a shut and chances are they will be thinking of this one. It is the typical example of a shut given to tourists as they are given a tour of Shrewsbury. It's probably one of the most useful, and therefore one of the busiest, shuts too.

Most guides who show tourists around the town will give the name as coming from the idea that you have to mind where you walk as you go along the shut, especially if you're tall. But this isn't the case. Many medieval towns had Grope Lanes in the past and most were near market places and were a place of prositution. However, in many towns the lanes have been renamed, but not here in Shrewsbury.

We start on Fish Street, just below the Bear Steps buildings.



The passage has a slight curve and therefore you can't see all the way down, or up, it.



There are a couple of small shops hidden away on Grope Lane. At the bottom is a Costa Coffee, Jones' shoe shop and nearby is Waterstones' book shop.



Grope Lane emerges onto High Street, almost opposite The Square. It transports you from the quiet Bear Steps area to the bustling commercial centre of Shrewsbury.

[s.g.d.]

well done chap.I am really enjoying you shuts,keep up the good work.