Smag

Victorian Timeline

The Victorian era was one of peace, prosperity and growth. Notable buildings were erected including Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, the inaugural Shrewsbury Flower was held, Charles Dickens performed twice in the town, and Shrewsbury's most famous son Charles Darwin was born.

1848

1848

Shrewsbury railway station was built, with the first route between Shrewsbury and Chester

1852

1852

Charles Dickens visits Shrewsbury to perform a benefit theatrical night to raise money for the Guild of Literature and Art.

1853

1853

Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery moved to Vaughan's Mansion on College Hill

1856

1856

First Shrewsbury Flower Show held just outside Shrewsbury, near the Showground at Coton Hill

1856

1856

The Roman Catholic Cathedral is built in Shrewsbury

1858

1858

Charles Dickens visits Shrewsbury for the final time, as part of a national reading tour. He held one performance at the Music Hall, before spending the night at The Lion Hotel

1858

1858

Charles Dickens stayed at the Lion Hotel, writing to his daughter that he was staying in 'the strangest little rooms, the ceilings of which I can touch with my hand'. He also commented that he could walk out onto a balcony and "lean over a queer old rail and look all down hill and slantwise at the strangest black and white houses, all of many shapes except straight shapes"

1867

1867

The town market moved from the Square to a new Victoria Market Hall and Corn Exchange building on Shoplatch

1875

1875

The Shrewsbury Flower Show was held in the Quarry Park for the first time, Shropshire Horticultural Society was established following this year's show

1879

1879

The Dingle’s ornamental gardens opened and a statue of Sabrina, goddess of the River Severn, can still be seen today

1881

1881

Award-winning author Mary Webb was born in Leighton, a village south of Shropshire, before later moving to Meole Brace.

1882

1882

Shrewsbury School moved to the workhouse building in Kingsland and Kingsland Bridge was built

1885

1885

Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and Shrewsbury Library moved to the old Shrewsbury School building, where the library remains to this day

1897

1897

English poet and soldier Wilfred Owen moves to Shrewsbury, from his birthplace in nearby Oswestry.

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.