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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…

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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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

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Shop

The Pearl Button

A gorgeous boho chic and romantic bridal boutique in the centre of Shrewsbury.

Open Today 10:00AM - 3:00PM

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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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Eat & Drink

Itadakizen

Itadaki means 'to take the food life'; Zen means 'to fix, to mend'. What you eat not only affects your day-to-day health but also helps to determine…

Open Today 11:00AM - 5:00PM

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Eat & Drink

St Vincent Shrewsbury

St Vincent Shrewsbury is a wine bar, restaurant and shop located on Fish Street. Enjoy delicious food and wine is a chic and dog friendly space.

Open Today 10:00AM - 11:00PM

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Eat & Drink

Philpotts

Philpotts is an award-winning sandwich retailer, situated in the beautiful 15th-century Abbotts House in Butcher Row.The business was founded in 1985…

Open Today 8:30AM - 2:45PM

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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…

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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