2. To St Alkmund's Place
With your back to the Clive statue, cross High Street, turn right and stop. The narrow alleyway (or 'shut') on your left marked, ‘Grope Lane’ is between the two black & white buildings.

Grope Lane

Make your way to the top of Grope Lane, and with the overhanging buildings it’s not hard to imagine how dark this alleyway would have been in medieval times. People will tell you that its name originated from the fact that folk had to ‘grope’ their way along it.

Or of course the more popular version of the story is that the lane was once a ‘Red Light’ district, and its name is a description of the antics that took place after dark!

Fish Street

At the top of the lane stop, look around for a while and admire the medieval buildings and cobbled road known as Fish Street, it is one of the most photographed streets in Shrewsbury

Bear Steps

Here, walk up the short flight of steps opposite Grope Lane. This is a short ‘shut’, and known as, Bear Steps. It is supposedly named after a pub called ‘The Bear’, which no longer exists.

If you are unable to negotiate the steps, walk left and at the top of Fish Street you arrive at the far end of St Alkmund's Place.

St Alkmund's Place

You are now in St Alkmunds Place. The steps have taken you right through the centre of a 15th century building which now houses the Bear Steps Gallery and Cafe.

To your right you will see the beautiful St Alkmund's Church with its 15th century tower and magnificent east window.

Next Page

Useful links