Shrewsbury Spring Flower Trail

Flowers are very important to Shrewsbury, home to one of England's largest flower shows for over a century.  Shrewsbury is also strongly associated with the famous gardener, the late Percy Thrower, who was Parks Superintendent for 28 years.  With the Flower Show in August and successes in the annual Britain in Bloom contest the summer floral displays are well known but Shrewsbury is equally spectacular in the spring when daffodils line the roads and riverbanks, and the parks and gardens are planted with spring bulbs.  This walk will show you some of the best of Shrewsbury in springtime.

Old St Chad's - The Lady Chapel is all that remains of one of Shrewsbury's earliest churches.  The church collapsed in 1788 and a new church was built by The Quarry.  In this peaceful spot daffodils flower in profusion through March and early April.

St Alkmund's - In the panic after the collapse of Old St Chad's the body of this church was rebuilt incorporating the latest fashion in cast iron window tracery - not entirely successful.  The tower is fifteenth century.  Yellow King Alfred and Cream Ice Follies daffodils grow in the churchyard.

The Old Guildhall - Built in 1696 as a house for the Earl of Newport, and former Borough Council Offices, the spring planting is varied and colourful throughout March and April.

St Mary's - Daffodils flourish around this church which incorporates late Norman, Tudor and Victorian architecture, and superb stained glass windows.

The Parade - The terrace at the rear of this converted 19th century hospital gives views of the daffodils along the banks of the River Severn.  The south-facing slope which drops away from the terrace is reputed to have been a vineyard belonging to Shrewsbury Abbey.

Shrewsbury Castle - Within the grounds are the motte of the Norman Castle built within a few years of the victory at Hastings, and the sandstone Great Hall of Edward I's reign.  The Castle now houses the Shropshire Regimental Museum.  Amongst the many spring bulbs and flowering shrubs are hyacinths, tulips, azaleas and magnolia.  The Castle was bought by the Shropshire Horticultural Society in 1924 and presented to the town corporation.

Raven Meadows - The steep woodland bank of daffodils is on the site of part of the old town walls, remnants of which can still be seen.  Look across the river too for views of the yellow and cream daffodils on the far bank.

Mardol Quay - Once a busy quayside, the spring flowers here include daffodils.

Frankwell - One of Shrewsbury's oldest suburbs, the plantings here include the pretty blue grape hyacinth muscari, flowering in April. This area is part of the Shrewsbury in Bloom Action Group initiative which has been re-landscaped to reflect a Darwin planting theme.

St Chad's - The elegant round church was built in 1792 to replace Old St Chad's.  Some of the earliest spring flowers are to be found here from February onwards - snowdrops, winter aconites and anemones.  The churchyard is a conservation garden with some unusual bulbs and shrubs.

The Dingle - The Dingle is Shrewsbury's floral showpiece in spring and summer, its design a legacy of the late Percy Thrower, who was Parks Superintendent for 28 years.  The spectacular flower beds and rockeries display many varieties;  see if you can spot Red Riding Hood, a scarlet dwarf tulip with mottled leaves, the yellow and red striped stresa, the large flowered red tulip Madam Lefebre and Yellow Purissima, Snakehead Fritillaries and two minature narcissi, Jack Snipe (cream), Tete-a-Tete (yellow) and Tet Fire.

Victoria Avenue - Crocus in February give way to daffodils in March and April along this delightful riverside walk.

Coleham Head - Another of Shrewsbury's old suburbs, Coleham affords good views of the English Bridge and banks of daffodils by the River Severn.

Shrewsbury Abbey - Founded by Roger de Montgomery in 1083, the Abbey became a wealthy and powerful Benedictine monastery.  The Abbey church survived the dissolution and continues as a place of worship to this day.  The Abbey is increasingly well-known as the setting for Ellis Peters' medieval mystery stories featuring the character Brother Cadfael.  Beneath the West tower is a herb garden reflecting the fictional monk's role in the medieval monastery.  Amongst the daffodils which surround the Abbey is a memorial sculpture to the First World War poet Wilfred Owen.

Abbey Gardens - This area was once part of the Abbey's gardens and orchards.  Now it is planted with spring flowers and shrubs, including rhododendrons and azaleas.  Look across the river for another view of the Parade.  From here you can clearly see Shrewsbury's Britain in Bloom logo marked out in plants on the bank.

The Work Continues ..............

The flowers of spring and summer are the result of hard work all year round.  Our parks staff, the Shropshire Horticultural Society, organisers of the Flower Show, the Shrewsbury in Bloom committee and many companies, individuals, shops and businesses work to provide support and encourage floral excellence throughout the year.  If you have been particularly impressed by a floral display, basket, window box or flower bed, do mention it to the owners or managers of the premises.  They will be delighted to hear your comments and your appreciation will encourage all of us to keep Shrewsbury in Bloom.

Pictorial guide during Spring Time

The Dingle

St Chads (Blossom)