Here's a few things which might be of use regarding the town of Shrewsbury.
Any specific questions (related to the area, not the actual festival) can be posted if anyone wants to know anything much.
The town.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrewsburyand map...
lmgtfy.com/?q=google+maps+shrewsbury(if it works... ??? )
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Shrewsbury is sometimes a little tricky to get around. When you look at a map, you'll notice that the "town centre" is almost an island surrounded by the big loop in the river. (Worth looking at once or twice if you are driving....) - just so you can see the obvious!!
There are only 4 ways to get onto/into the loop.
1. The Welsh Bridge (for people coming from the West)
2. The English Bridge (from the East)
3. Straight into the "top" of town (from the North)
4. and another.. which involves using a
TOLL bridge - so a few 20p coins in the car is normal for local residents.
The town itself has a one way system that runs clockwise from the "top" of town (Station) around to the English bridge, loops along the south edge (or straight into the shopping area) around to the Welsh bridge and then back up to the station.
IF YOU GET LOST -
go with the one way system, follow signs for the STATION and then head up Chester Street, Coton Hill (Ellesmere road). There are a good few signs to the AGRICULTURAL SHOWGROUND before you accidentaly get back into the one way system.
One thing to remember - IF you find yourself alonside the station looking at traffic lights
TURN RIGHT (and then immediately right again) rather than head up the hill towards the castle.
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All the interesting stuff, other than VAPEFEST is in the town centre.
Nearest free cashpoint will be at the top of castle street before it turns left towards the English Bridge (not going down the High Street)
The High Street (Pride Hill) is pedestrianised.
The top of castle street has M&S, Some banks, and a Subway (food).
The high street itself has the normal selection of shops. Boots (chemist), Mobile phone shops, general "malls" and some eating places (MacDs, Greggs).
Should you be in town and require drinks or food, here are some places.
The best pubs are *probably"
The Loggerheads, The Old Post office, The Shrewsbury Hotel (Wetherspoons),
www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-shrewsbury-hotelThe closest are The Woodman, the Royal Oak and Bird in Hand.
There are others - The Boathouse, The Coach and Horses - but these are further away and walkers will not get that far to be honest.
Statistically, Shrewsbury has more pubs than almost anywhere of a comparable size per person.
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There are a few "gourmet" restaurants/pubs. Hard to go wrong.
Best Indian food is The Shiraz restaurant. This would be an easy walk from the Premier Inn or Shrewsbury Hotel.
Also, The Panacea (as good) or Cafe Saffron (good) are close to walk to.
If you should have a car and want Chinese, the place to park near is The Hong Kong City Express. Well worth driving around to here (if sober...) rather than stick a pin in the map.
There is a good kebab place (EFES) just under the bridge near the station, heading north away from the town. (This is close). There is also a Perfect Pizza place up here.
Supermarkets.
If you are coming from the South, either Sainsburys or Asda.
From the North, look for Tesco (Harlescott) or Morrisons.
The BEST choice for ease, should you want to drive off site for an hour and get supplies (not that many will??) the Morrisons is the easiest to drive up to and get back without getting into the one-way system. It's NOT walkable, but 5-10 minutes North of the Station and it's good!
Just remember... Traffic is SLOW around the town centre (at the weekends) and you need patience.
The good news is that if you are at the Premier Inn or Shrewsbury Hotel, they are situated on the river side and it's a very short drive or easy walk around the river and up to the showground.
That's it for now.
