Culture & Tourism in Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury Abbey

Without question, the main attraction in this area is the Shrewsbury Abbey. The Abbey was founded as a Benedictine Monastery by Roger de Montgomery in 1083 on the site of an existing Saxon church. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of King Henry VIII the part of the Abbey building which survived continued as a Parish Church to this day.

Lord Hill's Column

We also recommend making a stop at the Column Roadabout to see Lord Hill’s Column. This is one of the most notable landmarks of the town of Shrewsbury. The Column is the tallest Doric column in England, standing at 133 ft 6 in (40.7 m) high, and commemorates Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill of Almaraz and Hawkstone, with a 17 ft (5.2 m) tall statue of Lord Hill standing on the top of the column.

Rea Brook Valley Nature Reserve

Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve. The site runs east and south from the centre of Shrewsbury town. This green corridor provides a vital wildlife refuge amongst the roads and buildings and a walk along the banks can be rewarded with sightings of Kingfishers, Otters and Buzzards to name but a few. The site can be accessed from many places along its route including Sutton Farm, Meole Brace, the Shirehall and Shrewsbury Abbey.