Shropshire Churches Tour

Join the National Churches Trust in Shropshire to explore iconic churches with an expert in their history.

Step aboard for a delightful tour through the rolling hills and timeless landscapes of Shropshire, where history and beauty meet at every turn.

This special journey will take you to some of the county’s most remarkable historic churches, each with its own story to tell, from medieval craftsmanship to hidden treasures.

With comfortable travel and friendly company, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the views of Shropshire’s countryside as we stop to explore sacred landmarks. Open to all, with priority booking for friends, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover heritage, community, and the serene charm of England’s heartland.

Join acclaimed church historian Tim Bridges to visit three churches. Tim will introduce each church as we travel through the picturesque Shropshire countryside, giving you plenty of background knowledge of these unique churches ready to enjoy a tour and then explore when we arrive.

The tour will take place on Tuesday 16 April, starting at 10.30am.

Tickets cost £57 per person (plus online booking fees), including guided coach travel from Shrewsbury Train Station (pickup location), donation and guided tours at each of the churches, and a sandwich lunch.

This event will raise funds for the work of the National Churches Trust, supporting churches, chapels and meeting houses across the UK.

Holy Trinity, Meole Brace

Tucked away in the village of Meole Brace, this church stands picturesque next to the beautiful architecture of the more modern Trinity Centre.

Offering a truly awe inspiring feeling of grandeur on entry, Holy Trinity is a well kept model of a traditional Victorian church. With a lively congregation, the church boasts gorgeous, original William Morris stained glass windows and a glorious six bell peel.

https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/meole-brace-holy-trinity

Image: Michael Garlick

St Peter, Melverley

In a tiny hamlet right on the Welsh border, is a very special church, black and white both inside and out, and wonderfully picturesque and rustic looking.

The church was built and in use by 1406, only five years after the burning of the old church by Owain Glyndwr. This was a remarkable achievement and work must have started immediately after the fire. With the exception of the lower two thirds of the east wall behind the altar, the structure you see today is substantially as it was built. Melverley is a rare example of early British churches constructed of timber, wattle and daub.

https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-peter-melverley

Image: Michael Garlick

St Michael & All Angels, Alberbury

Founded between the 7th and 10th century, the church was reconsecrated in 1290, once Welsh border disputes ceased. It has an impressive Saddleback Tower, dating from about 1200 AD. The roof of the nave is attributed to the 15th century and is quoted by Nikolaus Pevsner as the ‘finest example of a late medieval roof in all Shropshire’.

https://www.discovershropshirechurches.co.uk/OurChurches/north-west-shropshire/alberbury/

Image: St Michael & All Angels, Alberbury

We also aim to pay a quick visit on our way back into Shrewsbury to:
St Chad, Shrewsbury

This rather extraordinary parish church, set on a spacious green hill above the River Severn, stands in stark contrast to Shrewsbury's medieval streets and mainly Tudor townscape.

Dating from 1790-92, it is a classical church, and is built from a pale stone that sets it quite apart from the red sandstone and half-timbering that are the usual materials of Shropshire. What is more, it is a classical church with a difference: the nave is completely round.

https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-chad-shrewsbury

Image: bs0u10e01