Town tours hoping to restart tourism in Bishop’s Castle
Roll up, roll up for a town’s historic walking tours as they aim to boost tourism following months of lockdown.
Bishop’s Castle Town Tours are set to restart on May 1 and organisers are looking forward to welcoming people back to the south Shropshire market town.
The small market town of Bishop’s Castle punches above its weight in terms of revealing its origins. Like many towns such as Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth, it was founded to help ‘civilise’ the Marches after the conquest of 1066.
But the past is easily evident in the largely untouched layout of Bishop’s Castle.
Janny Phillips, organiser and member of the town guides group, said: “The tours have been going for 25 years and we are restarting them again this summer.
"We tell you all about the history of the town, how it became a town, all about the castle and what made its wealth and economy.
“There is also information about all the people involved in the town, like Clive of India who had quite an influence in the local area, and all the unique things and people that make it what it is.
“You don’t have to book, you can just turn up to the church at 6.30pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays but you can book if you’d like to secure a place. We are Covid safe and operating in small numbers.
“We rely on tourism here in our little town so it’s great to have people back out and about again.”
Starting on Saturday, May 1, tours will take place twice a week throughout the summer on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6.30pm. They take about an hour. Tours start at the Lych Gate of St John the Baptist Parish Church.
Cost is £3 per adult and children are most welcome and free. While Covid restrictions maintain, groups are smaller in number; people can wear masks if they want to and observe social distancing.
A bespoke tour at other times can be arranged for larger groups of people.
In future years a visit to the House on Crutches, the museum, could also be organised.
To book a place, call 01588 638 235.
