Luxury Shropshire Staycation
Shropshire - Luxury UK Break
I’ve been making the most of travelling around the UK at the moment and exploring many of the fantastic local sights that are normally passed over for trips abroad.
For my latest staycation, I headed to Shropshire and spent time in the vibrant city of Shrewsbury, relaxing in surrounding villages and exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside too.
Here are my top tips of where to stay, what to do and what to see on your Shropshire staycation.
Where to Stay:
The Stowe Boutique Rooms - Shrewsbury
We started our trip through Shropshire in the city of Shrewsbury and stayed at The Stowe Boutique Rooms located in the centre of town. Not only is the location convenient for exploring Shrewsbury, but the accommodation itself is also perfect for a weekend away.
The accommodation is less of a hotel, and more of a self-contained space. As well as the bedroom and en-suite bathroom, there is also a kitchen space with cutlery, plates, fridge as all the basics you need. Breakfast isn’t offered here but you could make something yourself, or there are plenty of boutique cafes a short walk away to grab a proper breakfast to start the day.
I’d recommend The Stowe Boutique Rooms for the convenience of location, as well as the luxury finish to the rooms.
Wynnstay Hotel - Oswestry
If you’d like to stay outside of Shrewsbury and enjoy more of a village feel, the Wynnstay Hotel is a great choice.
This Georgian style hotel has a range of rooms available, from classic to deluxe. They also have a host of facilities on site, including a gym, spa, 2 restaurants and a bar.
We dined at their bar area when we stayed, as their main restaurant, 1727, wasn’t yet opened. However I’ve heard great things about the menu, and particularly the grilled dishes on offer, and will certainly return to give it a try.
During our stay we were particularly impressed with the service and the friendliness of all the staff who were more than happy to cater to our needs and make suggestions for things to see in the area.
Riverside Cabins - Shrewsbury
For those of you wanting to immerse yourself in nature, the Riverside Cabins are ideal. I was really impressed with the luxury element of these self-contained cabins as the furnishings, accessories and design of the space has all been finished to an impeccable level.
Not only is the in-side space gorgeous, but the outdoor dining area is also perfect for enjoying a leisurely breakfast with river views. Every cabin has its own outdoor hot tub, which we enjoyed in the evening whilst taking in the stars.
Things to Do:
Explore Shrewsbury Town Centre
Shrewsbury town centre has multiple sights on offer for visitors to explore, many of which can be seen in an afternoon walking around the city. The historic town centre is a great place to start, moving onto Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Castle and Shrewsbury Museum.
The Market Hall Shrewsbury
The Market Hall Shrewsbury is a multi award-winning indoor market. It’s popular for a range of things including street food, cafes, local produce including fresh fruit and veg, and a lot more. Spend a morning here shopping and enjoying some of the food outlets too.
Shrewsbury River Tour - Sabrina Boats
The best way to explore Shrewsbury is on the River Severn, and Sabrina Boats provides daily boat trips along the river. Running between 11am-4pm, the tour takes visitors to the edges of the city, whilst also providing details on the passing sights and the history of the city.
This is definitely not one to miss when visiting Shrewsbury, especially as the tour runs regularly, making it easy to fit into even a busy schedule.
Stiperstones Circular Walk - Shropshire Hills
The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve is only 30min drive from Shrewsbury and makes for a spectacular day out.
We hiked the Stiperstones Circular Walk, which is is 5.5 miles long and takes in the spectacular Stiperstones ridge, which was formed over 480 million years ago! Take a picnic and make a day of this stunning sight.
Shrewsbury Food Festival
We were lucky enough to be visiting Shrewsbury during the weekend of the food festival, so we made sure to make time for it. This was a great way to meet some of the local producers and try artisanal produce including gin, chocolate, toffee and more.
There are a range of festivals in Shrewsbury throughout the year and it’s worth checking to see what’s on when you visit.
Where to Eat:
Wild Shropshire - Whitchurch
Wild Shropshire is renowned in the area and one of the must-visit restaurants when visiting Shropshire. Head Chef James Sherwin serves a fine dining tasting menu which is focused on microseasonal British food, showcasing the best of what the area has to offer.
Best of all, there is no menu and diners only find out the ingredients in their dishes in a big reveal at the end of the meal. This is a great way to challenge and diversify your tastebuds and try something you might not otherwise!
Lion & Pheasant - Shrewsbury
Lion & Pheasant is a townhouse hotel in Shrewsbury, with a restaurant that can be booked for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even Sunday Roast. We had breakfast here whilst staying in Shrewsbury and enjoyed classic dishes such as eggs benedict and avocado on toast. The atmosphere is relaxed and modern and, making it a great place to sit back and take a break.
The Old Hand and Diamond - Shrewsbury
The Old Hand and Diamond Inn is actually located 100meters in Wales! This family-run 17th century border inn has provided refreshments and accommodation for travellers for hundreds of years and it is still going strong.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner here after our hike through Stiperstones National Nature Reserve. We were famished from our walk and the hearty meal was exactly what we needed. I was really impressed with the flavours in all the dishes we tried, and the generous portions meant that we certainly didn’t leave hungry.
I’ll certainly make sure I visit again for a drink and some food when I’m next in the area.
What are your Shropshire recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!
Her Favourite Food & Travel x
In collaboration with Visit Shropshire - all opinions are my own.
