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Bear Steps

Bursting with historic architecture and street names you want to say out loud.

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About Bear Steps

Connecting Pride Hill, the High Street, Wyle Cop and St Mary’s, the Bear Steps area encompasses many of Shrewsbury's most historic streets, including Butcher Row, Fish Street and Grope Lane.

The area is home to many of Shrewsbury’s independent eateries and shops. Explore vintage fashion, stylish homeware, pick up the perfect gift and more. Quench your thirst at traditional pubs or quirky cocktail bars, and eat around the world with food hailing from all corners of the globe.

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Notable history

Historically, the area was filled with traditional traders which gave the surrounding streets many of their names; Butcher Row, Fish Street, Grope Lane. Bear Steps itself is named for The Bear Inn Pub which sat on the corner of Fish Street and Grope Lane. Although local legend claims the area was historically home to one of Shrewsbury’s bear pits.

At the centre of Bear Steps sits two of Shrewsbury’s five churches; St Alkmund’s and St Julian’s. Founded in 902, St Alkmund’s Church stands at the highest point in town, read more about it here. St Julian’s tower dates from the 12th century, and the present nave was designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard who also designed the Iron Bridge at Telford.

so many places to see

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Live & Work

Courtyard Collective

The nature of work is changing; work, personal and social lives are no longer separate. Our workspace makes for the perfect environment for creators…

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Eat & Drink

Bull Inn

The Bull Inn is located on Butcher Row, right in the heart of Shrewsbury town centre. The Bull Inn has seven rooms available, which provide excellent…

Open Today 9:00AM - 12:00AM

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Hotel

Prince Rupert Hotel

Situated in the very heart of medieval Shrewsbury, the historic Grade II listed Prince Rupert Hotel is firmly established as one of the town's finest…

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Shop

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 10:00AM - 5:00PM

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Eat & Drink

Mason's

Gather your friends, grab a perfect bottle of wine and graze on great sharing food from charcuteries boards to cheese platters.All complimented with…

Open Today 12:00PM - 9:00PM

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Live & Work

Maddox & Co

Shrewsbury's largest flexible workspace and co-working community. Maddox & Co has a combination of flexible private office spaces, monthly…

Open Today 9:00AM - 5:00PM

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Eat & Drink

The Three Fishes

The Three Fishes is a CAMRA-approved pub with a cosy, friendly atmosphere, which provides a warm welcome to anybody. The timber building, dating…

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Live & Work

Lads 'N' Dads

Lads 'N' Dads is possibly the best place in Shrewsbury for a gent's haircut, with great cuts and random conversation! From the shop in Butcher Row,…

Open Today 9:00AM - 5:00PM

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Eat & Drink

House of the Rising Sun

The House of the Rising Sun on Butcher Row specialises in Modern Australasian cuisine. The bar's decor blends oceanic blue hues and timeless timber…

Open Today 11:00AM - 11:30PM

Bear steps gallery
See & Do

Bear Steps Gallery and Medieval Hall

Shrewsbury Civic Society’s home is at Bear Step’s Hall, St Alkmund’s Place in Shrewsbury. The society campaigns for the preservation, protection,…

Open Today 10:00AM - 4:00PM

so many things to do

Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting Friday - Independent Bottlers

This March we'll be looking at some of the many independent whisky bottlers is Scotland with a focus on the likes of Gordon & MacPhail and Carn…

13 March
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting Friday - Independent Bottlers

This March we'll be looking at some of the many independent whisky bottlers is Scotland with a focus on the likes of Gordon & MacPhail and Carn…

27 March
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Awen ensemble
Music

Awen Ensemble + Peiriant

SY.Gigs Event 2.0 of Season 4.0Awen Ensemble are a 7 piece alternative folk-jazz outfit. Meaning ‘poetic inspiration’ in Welsh, the name Awen…

28 March
6:30pm - 10:15pm
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History & Heritage

Magic Lantern to Multiplex: a history of cinema and its architecture

Dive into the cool evolution of cinema and its iconic buildings, from old-school magic lanterns to today's multiplex.

1 April
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting - Creative Casks

We are all familiar with the types of casks that the whisky industry has used for many decades, Bourbon, Sherry & Port casks. These days we are…

10 April
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting - Creative Casks

We are all familiar with the types of casks that the whisky industry has used for many decades, Bourbon, Sherry & Port casks. These days we are…

24 April
7:00pm - 9:00pm
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Music

Turn on the Sunlight (Ft Mia Todd + Miles Spilbury) + Aisha Vaughan

SY.Gigs Event 3.0 of Season 4.0unfolds as a full afternoon and evening of music, connection and shared experience within the beautiful setting of St…

11 July
2:30pm - 10:00pm

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