The Midlands England

Although it was a rainy day we managed to avoid it on the occasions that we were sight seeing.

We began in Chirk, where we had ended yesterday. Just out of town in the Walsh/English border there was an aqueduct, viaduct and a tunnel! The aqueduct and tunnel (nicknamed “The Darkie) was built in 1802 by Thomas Telford. We thought to walk along the towpath in the 420m tunnel but chickened out and didn’t go all the way. The viaduct ( for trains and is still being used as we saw one go over it) was built in 1848 as the need for faster and larger transport that overtook the canal system. 

We drove in the rain to Shrewsbury which kindly dissipated when we arrived. We paid £2.40/3hours and went to explore the historic centre. It is almost an island as the River Severn loops around it. On the section of land that had no river a castle was built in 1066 to protect the town from invasions. Although the towns history can be dated back to 2000BC and many iconic moments has happened here.. (google it ), we get to see the most recent history in its buildings that now remain. The town made its wealth from the wool trade which is reflected in the substantial timber framed buildings built during the 1500’s. It is also the birthplace of Charles Darwin. So we wondered around as we do, admiring the various buildings and churches.

This included St Mary’s with exceptional stain glass windows.

St Chad’s which is unique in its circular design. 

Unfortunately we couldn’t resist another Gregg’s pink jammie… possibly our last one forever more. 

Not too far out of town was the National Trust property, Attingham Park,  given to them in 1947 by Thomas the 8th Lord Berwick. We visited the fine Georgian mansion built in 1785 with some beautiful features.

We then went ‘below stairs’ to explore the servant quarters.

If you didn’t want beer from the little barrel you would put your cup ‘on the wagon’.. and so the saying goes..

Servants had to use these stairs to see to the needs of the owners and their guests.

Each of these properties show you the lives lived in the past in different ways and each time we learn something new. 

Before we left we walked to the walled gardens.

Lots of grey squirrels around

Our last destination for the day was Ironbridge Gorge. It is said to be one of the most important centres of the Industrial Revolution from 1709 due to the demand of iron as a building material. Unfortunately it only lasted until the 20th century. The iron bridge built in 1779 was the world’s first revolutionising building methods. 

 We had a look in the Gorge museum which focused on the floods that have plagued the town . 

The rain came in earnest so we found a stay for the night close by and weather permitting, explore further tomorrow. 

However we cannot linger as we still need to travel 380km to Newhaven by Friday! We only did 64km today.