The River Severn

Shrewsbury is scooped up into a loop of the River Severn - giving the town its one-off shape.

The River Severn is the longest river in the United Kingdom, at about 354 kilometres (220 miles) and the second longest in the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of 610 metres (2,001 ft) on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales. It then flows through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, with the county towns of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester.

Frankwell Quay together with Mardol Quay on the opposite bank were the site of Shrewsbury's inland port on the River Severn, a major element in the economic life and development of the town.

Today little remains in Shrewsbury of the town's roaring river trade apart from grooves in the old bridge at Atcham - made by the rub of hemp against iron as heavily-laden trows were hauled upriver by rope.

Find out about Sabrina Boats tours on the River Severn..