Shropshire (Slow Travel) : Local, characterful guides to Britain's special places

Part of Bradt's award-winning 'Slow' travel guides series to UK regions.

Often overlooked, Shropshire is remarkable—PG Wodehouse called it 'the nearest earthly place to paradise.' This thoroughly updated third edition is the only standalone guidebook to provide in-depth coverage of England's largest landlocked county. From Bronze Age hillforts to Norman castles, from Anglo-Welsh border fortifications to hidden legends, Shropshire has been touched by every era of British history, with each period leaving its distinctive mark on the landscape and culture.

Discover diverse landscapes: flat fertile plains and meres in the north give way to hills, valleys and woodland in the south. Explore Church Stretton's Victorian charm and walks across the Long Mynd; visit Bishop's Castle with its 'poetry pharmacy' and historic working brewery; experience Ludlow, Britain's 'Slow Food capital' boasting four Michelin-guide Bib Gourmand restaurants; marvel at Bridgnorth's quirky cliff railway and Much Wenlock's Olympic heritage; and don't miss the spectacular UNESCO site of Ironbridge Gorge with its ten excellent museums.

Marie Kreft writes with intimate detail and insider knowledge, offering vivid descriptions of places, historical context, ghost stories and folk tales, plus first-hand accounts from locals and hand-picked restaurant recommendations. Emphasising car-free travel, local produce and characterful accommodation, this guide cheerfully takes you the long way round—through ancient woodland, over bridges and 'Blue Remembered Hills', into castles, churches and interesting pubs—savouring the authentic, offbeat and local. An indispensable companion to one of Britain's most scenic and intriguing counties.