Address: Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury SY1 2SZ
Website: shrewsburyflaxmillmaltings.org.uk
Wroxeter Roman cityGetty Images
Wroexter Roman City
Emperors Nero and Hadrian both took a particular interest in the establishment of Viroconium, once the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain. Its location was chosen as a strategic base from which to launch an invasion of Wales, an attritional task that proved to be beyond both rulers. Today, the basilica wall (complete with fragments of the original mosaic floor) is still partly standing, as well as remains of the old Bath House and a townhouse constructed using only materials that would have been available to the Romans. Spot the extremely odd-looking reconstructed ‘strigil’, a tool used in bathhouses at the time to cleanse the body.
Address: Wroxeter Roman City, Wroxeter, Shrewsbury SY5 6PJ
Website: english-heritage.org.uk
Bacchus bonanza at Tanners
The chute that was once used to shift boxes of wine up and down the floors of this ancient Shrewsbury wine merchant looks like something straight out of Wallace and Gromit. The wines contained within this sprawling, Dickensian temple of vino are anything but comedic; however, Tanners take their wines seriously and have been serving Shropshire since 1872. As well as the expected selection of Old and New World wines are the firm’s own sloe gin; a particularly rich concoction with some subtle notes of cherries and sweet almonds.
Address: Tanners, 26 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1XD
Website: tanners-wines.co.uk
Ludlow and the tower of St Laurence’s churchGetty Images
The finest sandwich in the county
For many years now, Ludlow has belied its bijou size through its dining scene, replete with restaurants such as Mortimer, Forelles and the Charlton Arms, all of which get visiting London restaurant critics in a mildly patronising spin, resulting in often supreme difficulties in booking a table at a reasonable hour. No such issues preclude a visit to Vaughans, however, home to what is perhaps the finest single dish that Ludlow provides. The modest green frontage draws all but the most militant vegans to push their noses, Oliver Twist style, against the window where links of succulent sausages and a gargantuan joint of roast pork are displayed. Step inside, stop salivating for a second and order their hot roast pork baguette, complete with a generous amount of crackling. The lettering on the window may say ‘sandwich shop’, but this is like calling Lionel Messi ‘handy with a football.’ Don’t let the understatement fool you; a visit here is as essential a gourmet stop-off as any of Ludlow’s Michelin-garlanded fine dining spots.
Address: Vaughans, 14 King Street, Ludlow SY8 1AQ
