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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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Shop

La Coupe

La Coupe is a Premium Men's Clothing Store, focusing on exceptional quality and enduring style. Our selection ranges from essential wardrobe items to…

Open Today 10:00AM - 5:30PM

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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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Shop

White Orchard

Often described by customers as an Aladdin’s Cave, White Orchard is nestled into the ground floor of the historic timber-framed Abbots House at the…

Open Today 10:00AM - 5:00PM

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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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See & Do

St Alkmund's Church

At the heart of the historic and beautiful town of Shrewsbury, founded in the year 912, stands the church of St Alkmund which celebrated its 1100th…

Open Today 10:00AM - 4:00PM

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

La lanterna
Eat & Drink

La Lanterna

Serving a little bit of Italy to Shrewsbury since 1996 La Lanterna is a small Italian Restaurant situated in Shrewsbury Town centre, in THE OLD…

Open Today 12:00PM - 9:00PM

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Live & Work

Clarkes Solicitors

Clarkes Solicitors is one of Shropshire's leading law firms with five offices around the county. Clarkes has an excellent reputation for providing…

Open Today 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Pengwern Books
Shop

Pengwern Books

Pengwern Books is an independent bookshop located on Fish Street in the heart of Shrewsbury. It has been serving book lovers in the town and beyond…

Open Today 10:00AM - 4:00PM

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Eat & Drink

Number Four

Number Four is a cafe and bistro in the heart of Shrewsbury. Found off the main shopping street of Pride Hill on the old cobbled Butcher Row. You…

Open Today 9:00AM - 4:00PM

so many things to do

Chamber choir
Music

Shrewsbury School Chamber Choir

Vocal music from the “School on the Hill”. This choir in 2025 reached the finals of the Barnardo’s National Choral Competition.

3 February
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting - Speyside focus

This February we'll be looking at some cracking drams from Scotland's best known whisky region, Speyside.The tasting will start at 7:30pm and be held…

6 February
7:30pm - 9:30pm
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Music

LUCY IRVING (clarinet)

Pop into St Alkmund's at lunchtime to hear Lucy Irving perform on the clarinet.

10 February
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Whisky tasting
Dine & Drink

Whisky Tasting - Speyside focus

This February we'll be looking at some cracking drams from Scotland's best known whisky region, Speyside.The tasting will start at 7:30pm and be held…

20 February
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Celia
Music

CELIA MARGALEF BOQUERA (piano)

Cèlia Margalef Boquera (b.1998) is a Spanish pianist based in London. Cèlia studied at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona.…

24 February
1:00pm - 2:00pm
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Music

YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM PACKWOOD HAUGH SCHOOL

Pop into St Alkmund's for a lunchtime performance by some of Packwood Haugh School's young musicians.

3 March
1:00pm - 2:00pm
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…

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
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

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