- Features
- Eight family-friendly activities in Shrewsbury for half term
Eight family-friendly activities in Shrewsbury for half term
Shropshire County Show
The annual Shropshire County Show is the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society’s main event - and this year it celebrates its 150th birthday!
A fun-filled day out for all the family is all but guaranteed, as thousands of people from across town and country come together on the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury, bringing with them pigs, dogs, cows, horses, ducks, ferrets, sheep, and much more. Plus monster trucks, tractor displays, and a very special carnival.
The annual dog show is a must see!
Enter a World of Pure Imagination
Following the immense popularity of their Shrek the Musical and Elf, Shrewsbury's own masters of musical theatre Get Your Wigle On are gearing up for a highly anticipated return to Theatre Severn's main auditorium with a spellbinding musical take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Expect an uber talented cast, fantastic costumes and the characteristic wonder and humour of Roald Dahl - plus singing Oompa Loompas, of course!
Celebrate Community and Help the Hive
Move over Bob Geldof, this is Hive Aid - Shrewsbury's mini folk festival, raising money for beloved local charity The Hive with folk performances from leading artists (including Glastonbury-featured Jessie Reid and folk legend Keith Donnelly), dance workshops, song writing workshops, poetry workshops, children's entertainment and more.
Celebrate Summer's Arrival with a Splash
Get your swim towels at the ready - The Quarry Splash Park is open for the summer! The Splash Park is open 7 days a week, 10.30am-6pm.
Hunt the Mighty Knights
Can you track-down all of the Knights hidden around Shrewsbury's Castle Grounds?
Purchase a £2 trail card from the Castle shop when you arrive and have fun spotting the different knights' poses as you find them! Enjoy the activity on the back of the card and when you've found all of the knights, pop back into the Castle shop to claim your reward.
For Little Thrill Seekers...
The Quarry Swimming Pool will be holding a special Diving Boards and Flumes session. Whether your little ones are itching to race down the slide, take their first dive over the edge or are just looking for some fun in the water, these sessions are the perfect way to spend a half-term day.
Let Loose in the Imagination Playground
There are infinite possibilities to play, invent, build and - perhaps most fun of all - demolish structures in Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery's Imagination Playground. Booking is recommended - this is a very popular activity!
A Film for the Family
From the 25th of May to the 1st of June, the Old Market Hall cinema will be showing A Minecraft Movie. Combine a beautiful town centre location and well-stocked cafe bar with laugh-out-loud fun in Minecraft's cubic bizarroland.
More half-term happenings
The Best Of Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light in Shrewsbury's Norman…
29 May 2025
May Half-Term Family Craft Activities
Following the success of our cardboard engineering last year, we would love you to join us this May half term to recreate well known Shrewsbury…
27 May 2025
Reload Under 16s – Summer Rave Ft Mr Traumatik
Reload Under 16S Makes Sure That The Safety Of Our Customers Is The Number One Priority At Each Event. We Ensure That We Operate In A Safe And Secure…
27 May 2025
Vanlife Festival
Vanlife Festival is a major event taking place at the West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury, and was one of the most talked about Festivals of the…
30 May 2025
World War II Exhibition
The Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust (SRHT) is set to transport visitors back in time with a compelling World War 2 exhibition at Abbey Station,…
31 May 2025
VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Sure to be a fun evening! Featuring: Bill Basey Band, Rebecca Evans & DJ Bertie Blighty Licensed bar & coffee bar The concert will benefit…
31 May 2025
Grown up edition
Vanlife Festival
Vanlife Festival is a major event taking place at the West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury, and was one of the most talked about Festivals of the…
30 May 2025
Special Kinda Madness – Tribute to The Specials & Madness
A Specials Tribute Band and a Madness Tribute Band, all on one stage. That’s Special Kinda Madness. Special Kinda Madness perform a truly authentic…
31 May 2025
Into The Shadows
Relive the magical 60s, as Into the Shadows recreate the unique sound of The Shadows. Among their hits were Wonderful Land, Guitar Tango, Frightened…
31 May 2025
VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Sure to be a fun evening! Featuring: Bill Basey Band, Rebecca Evans & DJ Bertie Blighty Licensed bar & coffee bar The concert will benefit…
31 May 2025
Phoenix Singers - Sure on this shining night
A restful secular programme on the theme of evening, night and sleep. Featuring Morten Lauridsen’s Nocturnes and Ēriks Ešenvalds' Only in sleep,…
31 May 2025
Disco Bliss – Day Party – 70s Disco & 80s Pop!
Do you love to dance? But you don’t like the hassle of going out at night? Do YOU want to dance in a safe and fun environment, where you can express…
31 May 2025
Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine & Cypress Hill – the Rhyme & Reason Tour 2025
Join us for an unforgettable night as we pay tribute to three iconic bands that shaped the music scene. Featuring; Beastie Boys – Feel the energy of…
30 May 2025
My Darling Clementine
Touring in support of their brand new (6th) album A Field Of Our Own, Lou & Michael make their first visit to theatre Severn. Both outstanding…
29 May 2025
Natura Supper Club
GlouGlou is taking you to nature for the monthly spotlight in May, focusing on Natura - all things organic, foraged, local and in season. For our…
29 May 2025
Collide – Techno Outdoor Day Party
Hailing from Birmingham Collide have an outstanding reputuation for uncompromising high quality techno and bring the carnage to Shrewsbury for the…
25 May 2025
Severn Jesters
Discover the new stars of stand-up and the best from the fringe, at Theatre Severn's outrageously popular comedy club!
25 May 2025
Morgan Wallen UK – Celebrating the Country Star
Yes, we’re bringing you an incredible country experience like no other, throw on those cowboy hats & two step into your boots & saddle up for…
25 May 2025
A Concert of Ancient Sacred Music
A rare musical event, bringing the forgotten sounds of early and Medieval Christianity back to life.Centuries old chants – silenced for almost a…
25 May 2025
More for kids to do and see
Hire a canoe
Paddle the River Severn on our popular downstream A-to-B canoe hire route with free minibus transport to the launch point or tour Shrewsbury town…
The paddle bros
Great value water sports experiences for all along the River Severn in Shrewsbury and the magnificent Shropshire Union canal in Ellesmere.
Open Today 10:30AM - 9:00PM
Sabrina Guided Walking Tours
Explore Shrewsbury’s Rich History with Our Guided Tours Discover over 1,100 years of Shrewsbury’s captivating medieval history with our expert-led…
The Enchanted Labyrinth
The Enchanted Labyrinth is your go-to for spells, crystals & gifts. Like the magic shop of your dreams, it contains a divination department,…
Open Today 10:30AM - 4:00PM
Nerdy
Nerdy is a board game café and events venue in Shrewsbury town centre. An alcohol-free, family-friendly, fully inclusive environment that offers an…
Open Today 9:00AM - 8:00PM
DVD Megastore and Buttercup Bookshop
Of course, they stock DVDs – but they also stock games, gifts and amazing memorabilia! Not only that, but they’re incredibly price competitive! From…
Open Today 10:30AM - 4:30PM
Level Up Escapes
LevelUp Escapes is a family-run business operating out of the Darwin Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury. We are proud to design and host top-class escape…
Shrewsbury Prison
The current prison buildings are Victorian, built in 1868 but there has been a prison on that site since 1793. The prison was decommissioned by the…
Open Today 10:00AM - 5:00PM
The Cut Visitor Centre, Shropshire Wildlife Trust
The Shropshire Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre and Shop, or The Cut, is a beautiful arrangement of buildings and garden situated near Shrewsbury…
Open Today 9:30AM - 12:30PM
The Entertainer
Here at The Entertainer, there's not much we don't know about toys. In fact, with over 30 years of experience selling the best toys and games, we've…
The Hive
The Hive is an arts and entertainment venue, as well as a charity working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Offering a varied…
The Soldiers of Shropshire Museum
Weapons, medals and uniforms from the 18th century to the present day sit within the ancient, red sandstone walls, which tower above the town. Hunt…
WHSmith
One of the UK's leading retailers, WHSmith is best known for its books, newspapers and stationery. WHSmith offers an increasingly wide choice of…
Open Today 10:30AM - 4:30PM
Darwin's Den
Darwin's Den is a free-to-use soft play area for children aged eight and under, located on the Middle Level of The Darwin Centre next to M&S. We…
Open Today 10:30AM - 4:30PM
Mollie's
Mollies is a modern sweetshop selling traditional British sweets and American candy. The store in Shrewsbury's Charles Darwin Shopping Centre has a…
Paws Cafe
Step into Shropshire's first cat cafe! We have 11 resident cats; Nala, Simba, Elsa, Snowy, Marmalade, Binx, Lady Grey, Mocha, Cappucino, Darwin, and…
Open Today 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre
Enjoy a swim in one of the pools, take a fitness class or visit the gym - which has a range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment. We offer…
Open Today 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Shrewsbury Duck Store
Thousands of ducks looking for their new forever pond. Shrewsbury Duck Store is your one-stop-shop for rubber ducks and all duck-themed products,…
Open Today 10:15AM - 4:15PM
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Situated just outside Shrewsbury town centre, the internationally important Flaxmill Maltings site reflects a time when Shropshire led the way in…
Open Today 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Shrewsbury Library
Shrewsbury Library is a busy lending library situated in a Grade I listed building in Castle Gates. The library offers a fantastic range of fiction…
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery (SM&AG) sits proudly in the town square and is the county’s flagship museum and art gallery. Visitors will…
C.E.X
CEX buy, sell and exchange a range of technology and entertainment products including mobile phones, video games, DVDs and Blu-ray movies, computers,…
Open Today 10:30AM - 4:30PM
Not every listing on this site is able to offer a complete representation of all the wonderful businesses that operate within Shrewsbury.
We do our best to include all relevant businesses in each feature. However, if your business wasn't included and you feel it should have been, please don't hesitate to contact us on content@originalshrewsbury.co.uk.
If you would like to get more involved with the Original Shrewsbury platform, learn about voluntary membership here!
Plan your visit to Shrewsbury
Posted 6 August 2024
Free and low-cost activities for families in Shrewsbury this summer
Everyone knows the summer holidays can add up, but the best bit about visiting Shrewsbury is that your holiday doesn't have to break the bank!
Posted 25 January 2022
4 original places to stay in Shrewsbury
Whether you're coming for business, holiday or a weekend getaway, Shrewsbury has a wealth of hostelries to suit all tastes and budgets to guarantee a…
Join our newsletter
From inspiring business case studies to the latest news about working and investing in Shrewsbury, sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on work in Shrewsbury.