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Today I have been exploring passages (oops! pardon!) around Shrewsbury. The town has largely its medieval street layout of shuts and alleys so, starting on Wyle Cop and heading into town, we have Bowdler's Passage that links to Beeches Lane. Not very picturesque this one, sadly.
Opposite however is this old street that is now the beer garden of the Nags Head. Nice in the summer, if we're ever allowed out again.
Just up from Bowdler's Passage is this one - Compasses Passage, far more interesting. Note the sign commanding you not to leave a pram there. This will take you down to Town Walls.
There's also this one which is now private, through to some private houses.
Anyway, up from Compasses Passage is Barracks Passage, through and under Henry Tudor House, coming out on Belmont Bank. HTH is a good spot for a pint too.
Technically not a passage, but you can go through the Lion Garage onto Belmont too. Also noting the Garage's Belfast trusses in the roof if you're that way inclined.
Two more closed offones now lead to private houses off Dogpole, opposite The Lion.
Another exit from Wyle Cop, again down to Belmont Bank. Another car park area sadly.
At the top of Wyle Cop, these steps by St Julian's go to St Alkmunds Square, then double back to St Mary's St or Butcher Row. It would be nicer without the German cars. It needs a Morris Minor.
This is Butcher Row. It doesn't count as cars still squeeze down it, but it's pretty.
St Alkmunds leads to Bear Steps, called that because the grey door you can see was a pub called The Bear, and allegedly a live bear was tethered to the iron hoop in the ground. Balderdash probably.
This was Tiny Tim's house in A Christmas Carol. That's not his can of Strongbow.
This was Tiny Tim's house in A Christmas Carol. That's not his can of Strongbow.
Opposite Bear Steps is Grope (C*nt) Lane, which deposits you on High St.
Left on High St is Bank Passage, which takes you up to Fish St and St Alkmunds again.
However, double back and across the road is Peacock Passage which leads to Princess St.
Once you're on Princess St, you can turn left and double back to the High St via Golden Cross Passage. The Golden Cross does good food if we're ever allowed out again.
Anyway, there's this now-closed one which is the Old Post Office on Milk St (again between High St and Princess St), where you can have a pint if we're ever allowed out again.
So, trot up the High St and there's the Old Market Hall which is now a cinema and café, if we're ever allowed out again. It doesn't count but, like Butcher Row is en route and photogenic.
Behind the OMH is Coffee House Passage, linking the Square with College Hill alongside the old Music Hall where Laurel and Hardy and The Beatles performed (not at the same time).
Your actual carved beam pictured.
Your actual carved beam pictured.
Another closed off street from College Hill. But back down Swan Hill and..
You end up on Market St with Drayton Passage, which links to Shoplatch and the New Market Hall (I stole that photo as I forgot).
But back to Market st, to the Square, there's Gullet Passage which also links to Shoplatch.
On Shoplatch, trot down Mardol and you've got Phoenix Place (currently closed) which links to Roushill. Potentially picturesque if they open the gate again.
Then you have the Kings Head pub which is a good place for a pint if we're ever allowed out again. Theere are photo effects here, it really is on the wonk. Next to it Kings Head Passage links Mardol to Smithfield Road. It stinks of piss; you won't make it through, believe me.
The smell of piss drove me back onto Mardol, and opposite is Carnarvon Lane which leads to Hill's Lane and Rowley's House.
Up Mardol and along Roushill Bank. Not sure if it counts but you can't drive through it. This brings you to High st *again*.
Are we nearly there yet?
No.
Are we nearly there yet?
No.
So up Pride Hill, up Butcher Row the other way, out onto St Mary's St again ..
Past St Mary's church you have St Mary's Shut. It goes through/under someone's house (they must be delighted) and out into a car park which was probably once a warren of back yards and middens. You notice you can now walk round the side, but I always go through. Just because.
The other side of the car park and St Mary's Shut continues (with a startlingly 60s flooring) onto Castle St - and Marks & Spencer 
At the top of Castle St/Pride Hill is 70 Steps. That links down to Raven Meadows and you really don't want to use this unless you need a prostitute, an old needle or some poo. Also, I think it's about 90 steps anyway. Can't trust anybody nowadays.
Off Castle St you then have Castle Court which is a far* less prostitute-y way of getting to Raven Meadows.
Slightly*
Slightly*
There are a couple of other now-blocked residential bits off Castle St, but if you head downhill...
You have The Dana. This takes you up around the base of the castle, through one of the two remaining town wall arches, and on to the station.
Incidentally Shrewsbury station is, I think you will agree, considerably better than yours. Even in this weather.
Past the station, through The Dana footbridge over the platforms, pause to look at THE LARGEST MECHANICAL SIGNAL BOX IN THE WORLD and you're out.
Aside from 2 paths that plonk you down by the river, I think that's it. You can people to unmute me now.
Aside from 2 paths that plonk you down by the river, I think that's it. You can people to unmute me now.
Tell*
I was going quite well until that point. And so to the wine!
I was going quite well until that point. And so to the wine!
