Depart from hotel reception at 12:30 – approx. 20 mins. walk
Tour starts at 13:00
Tour ends approx. 16:15

Part 1: Go behind-the-scenes at this iconic landmark of the Industrial Revolution and dig deeper into the past, present and future of building that changed skylines across the world forever. You will be shown around the wider site by trained volunteer guides and taken into some areas the ordinary visitor does not usually get to see!

Part 2: The Mill exhibition on the ground floor of the Main Mill is self-guided and brings to life the story of this iconic landmark of the industrial revolution. With digital and hands-on activities for all ages, walk one of the floors where spinning machines whirred, flax flew and barley was processed for beer to brew. Discover the lives and stories of workers, engineers, soldiers and entrepreneurs who played their part in one of the greatest heritage transformations and regenerations of all time. 

Please Note: Behind-The-Scenes tours involve an extended period of standing and climbing stairs, including 200-year-old stairs which have worn and eroded with time. Please get in touch if you have any concerns about this. 
Tour Lead: Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

Depart from the hotel reception at 12:45 – approx. 15 mins. walk
Tour starts at 13.00
Tour ends approx. 13:45*
*for info, tour finishes at 13:45 at the Abbey, and delegates have the option to go back to the hotel (or elsewhere) or join onto the Churches tour (T4) if they wish. 

Join us for a detailed look at the splendour and story of Shrewsbury’s largest and most physically abused ecclesiastical building. Founded as a Benedictine Monastery in 1083 (on the site of an earlier church), this beautiful abbey has some harrowing stories to tell, splendorous scars to examine, and layers of change written all over the building fabric. The changes all came in the name of progress, engineering, efficiency and change, but the abbey still stands strong, in use and well visited in 2025. 

Tour Lead: Peter Furniss, Shrewsbury Abbey 

Depart from the hotel reception at 13:45
Tour starts at 14:00 
Tour ends approx. 15:45

The tour will take in some key wall paintings from the 16th century - early 17th century which are found in vernacular buildings in the town. These illustrate well the significance of wall paintings in the context of the building and how it was used in the early modern period.   

Tour Lead: Kathy Davis

Meet in Hotel Lobby 14:00 
Tour begins 14:15 
Tour ends 16:00 or earlier

A tour of two of the main town centre churches, examining contrasting architectural styles and current roles in the town. 

St Mary’s Church, which is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, dates from Saxon times with beautiful additions from the 12th-century onwards. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful with the soaring stone arches highlighting the church's great treasure - its stained glass.   

We have a unique collection of medieval stained glass, much brought from Europe by two remarkable clergymen and installed during the 18th and 19th centuries. There is also an internationally significant collection of Flemish painted glass roundels, some of which were stored in a filing cabinet until last year (now on display thanks to NLHF grant). 

The 14th-century 'Jesse window'; filled with figures of Old Testament kings and prophets, includes scenes from the life of St Bernard showing him riding a mule, curing the sick and ridding an abbey of flies! 

Warmth and richness are also provided by superb Victorian coloured tiles on the floor.  Lifting your eyes upwards, you will see the wonderful fifteenth-century carved oak ceiling of the nave, with a profusion of animals, birds and angels. 

Old St Chad’s Church was so badly damaged when the tower collapsed in 1788, it was decided to build a new church down the road. All that remains of the old building is a side chapel surrounded by a disused churchyard, and an exposed crypt. 

The new St Chad’s Church is circular in plan, with the Georgian pews built in the round. It is classical in style and was designed by the architect George Steuart (who also designed Attingham Park) and opened for worship in 1792. 

It is constructed in Grinshill ashlar stone and is orientated to suit the site, with the sanctuary at the north, rather than east end. It has a tower over the entrance with small chapels either side, an elliptical stair hall and circular nave with shallow chancel recess. The entrance porch takes the form of a classical portico supported by four ionic columns. 

This is a much-visited civic church in the centre of Shrewsbury, open to the public throughout the day, which is used as a concert venue, as well as a place of worship. 

Tour Leads: Tim Ratcliffe & Robert Milton