ShrewsburyUnited Kingdom

The River Severn forms a semi-loop that rings off Shrewsbury’s medieval district. Culturally and historically torn between England and Wales, the lively market town has an important place in the narrative of Britain. Amble through the historic center for a sense of the area’s rich history and proud traditions.

Notice the names and traditions from Wales, whose border is just 9 miles (14 kilometers) west. Admire quaint Tudor architecture, epitomized by the Old Market Hall. Today, this restored 16th-century structure shows art-house movies and puts on cultural events.

Explore the five sections of the adjacent Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. Alongside its Roman artifacts and artworks devoted to Darwin, the museum recalls the era of the woolly mammoth and the later development of Shropshire.

Take a river tour on the loop enclosing the historic center and follow the Shrewsbury Darwin Walk to learn about its favorite son. The trail begins with the modern art monument of Darwin Gate, whose lights mirror the effect of stained-glass windows.

See the real thing in the form of the 14th-century Jesse window in the opulent St. Mary’s Church, attended by Darwin as a schoolboy. Its spire is one of the tallest in the country, towering over Shrewsbury.

Nestled in the arch of the River Severn, the Quarry park provides the town center’s bucolic presence. Attend carnivals and regattas in the 29-acre (12-hectare) grounds, where the mesmerizing floral layout of The Dingle sunken gardens is quite impressive. Outside the town lies the Ironbridge Gorge, whose myriad museums illuminate its major role in the country’s Industrial Revolution.

Note that many pronounce the town’s name as “Shrowsbury.” In the heart of Shropshire, this village is a West Midlands stalwart just 48 miles (77 kilometers) northwest of Birmingham. Take a train to the Shrewsbury railway station or arrive at the nearby Birmingham Airport.

Darwin’s legacy embellishes the historic center within the river loop of Shrewsbury.