31/01/2012 - Permalink

Darwin’s Shrewsbury tour

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

Shropshire Council’s Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre will be hosting a series of guided walks exploring Charles Darwin’s Shrewsbury as part of the annual Darwin 2012 Festival this February (2012). 

The tours are every day from Monday 13 February through to Saturday 18 February, and start at 2pm.  

Departing from the Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre at Rowley’s House, the guided walk will explore the parts of the town that were familiar to Charles Darwin.  The tours will include many areas of the town that are associated with Darwin, such as St Chad’s Church where he was baptised, and Shrewsbury Library which was Darwin’s school when he was a young boy. 

Councillor Mike Owen, Cabinet member responsible for tourism and culture, said:-

“The Shrewsbury Darwin Festival offers an opportunity for all ages to step back in time and explore the world of one of our most famous residents.  I hope many people come and join in what will be a very enjoyable experience.” 

 Andrew Bannerman, Shropshire Councillor for Coton Hill and Quarry, added:- 

“There are several places in the town centre where you can almost see the young Darwin – the Unitarian chapel, where his mother took her brood without his agnostic father;  the portals of the old Shrewsbury School, now the library, through which young Charles went at the tender age of nine after his mother died; The Bellstone, the origin of which so fascinated and perplexed him.  These tours offer fascinating insights into the formative years of the great scientist.”

The tours will last for an hour and a half and are £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children (age 16 and under).  Tickets must be purchased in advance for these tours. 

Tickets are on sale at Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre at Rowley’s House, Barker Street, Shrewsbury.  The centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, or tickets can be purchased over the phone, contact us on 01743 281200.

For more details on all the other events taking place during the Darwin Festival in February please contact the Shropshire Wildlife Trust on 01743 284280, or Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre on 01743 281200.