Church Stretton History

The hills around Church Stretton provide the perfect backdrop to this picturesque market town. Both the Long Mynd and the Shropshire Hills are part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Church Stretton is the only town within the AONB.

There are ‘Historic Church Stretton’ Information Boards dotted around the town and you can download a free audio tour onto your mobile phone which will take you on a leisurely hour-long stroll around the town centre, bringing to life the thousand-year history of the town through the medium of its many historic buildings.

A timeline on the walls of the Antiques Market at the corner of Easthope Road and Sandford Avenue provides a history of how Church Stretton developed since pre- Cambrian times to the present day. If you wander around the town you will see Historic Church Stretton Information Boards outside buildings of interest.

This includes the parish church of Church of St Lawrence which is a Saxon foundation and mentioned in the Domesday book, but the Norman nave is the oldest part of the present building. The Bucks Head pub was originally built as a medieval hall thought to be late 13 th century and The Kings Arms originally built in the late 16 th or early 17 th century. In the High Street you will find other examples ancient timbered buildings including the shop Entertaining Elephants - which is a restored medieval
barn.

The Visitor Information Centre can provide more detailed information including:

• A two page Church Stretton Town Trail leaflet
• Historic Church Stretton A walk around the town by Barrie Raynor -a 20 page illustrated guide

Burway Books can also provide material relating to the history of the area including the ‘Church Stretton Illustrated Timeline’, ‘Church Stretton though the ages’ and & The Long Mynd: its history and wildlife’.

If you are interested in finding out more about your Shropshire ancestors while you are here friendly local history volunteers will guide you through your research. Call the library on 01694 722 535 to check the best time to call in. If any of your ancestors from the Strettons served in the first world war you will find their biographies at www.https://cswwone2.wixsite.com.