The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs.placeholder image
The days of clanging bells, belching smoke and flying horse-drawn fire engines are recalled in this picture of Bridgnorth Fire Brigade in 1888. It came originally from Miss Alice Crockson, of Friar Street, whose father, Mr G Crockson, is on the extreme left of the top row. The others are, from left: W Preen, W Dexter, T Wright, C Massey, and W Owen. In the front row (left to right) are: J Thomas, E Langford, T Jordan, J Lester, H Bishop, W Thomas, and Superintendent Childs. | Express & Star archive

Shropshire in the Victorian era: 37 pictures capturing life over a century ago

By Toby Neal
Published 28th Oct 2026, 10:08 GMT

A window into the Shropshire world of the Victorians

Thanks to photography, we have a window into the world of Shropshire’s Victorians - how they lived, what they looked like, and the towns they inhabited.

It was the first era to be documented by photography. And you know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words.

So let’s take a trip back in time and take a look through the lens at the life of our Salopian forebears who were immortalised for posterity by something which still feels a bit special even today - the simple act of having our picture taken.

  • Shrewsbury in 1979: 25 pictures of football glory and life around town - see them here
  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here
The Castle Hotel, Bishop's Castle, on the left, and The Powis Institute, far right. The sign on the front of the institute is for Greenhous and the junk appears to be agricultural implements. The building was demolished long ago. Note the cross underneath the pram or cart in the centre to mark it out for some reason.

21. A busy Bishop's Castle street

The Castle Hotel, Bishop's Castle, on the left, and The Powis Institute, far right. The sign on the front of the institute is for Greenhous and the junk appears to be agricultural implements. The building was demolished long ago. Note the cross underneath the pram or cart in the centre to mark it out for some reason. | Rita Coxall

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The top of Bishop's Castle High Street, showing the House on Crutches, and a glimpse of the town hall on the right. The woman is standing in the doorway of what used to be Ross's shoe shop, but it looks like it was a sweet shop in her day.

22. The House on Crutches

The top of Bishop's Castle High Street, showing the House on Crutches, and a glimpse of the town hall on the right. The woman is standing in the doorway of what used to be Ross's shoe shop, but it looks like it was a sweet shop in her day. | Rita Coxall

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A timbered house at the corner of Mardol and Claremont Street being demolished, probably in 1867, but in any event during the demolition of buildings to make way for the building of a new Shrewsbury market hall in the 1860s. The photo is believed to have been taken by John Franklin of Castle Street.

23. The march of progress, Victorian-style

A timbered house at the corner of Mardol and Claremont Street being demolished, probably in 1867, but in any event during the demolition of buildings to make way for the building of a new Shrewsbury market hall in the 1860s. The photo is believed to have been taken by John Franklin of Castle Street. | Shropshire Star archive

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That's a parade and a half in Bridgnorth High Street. It could be a circus, but that's just a guess. Whatever it is, it's drawing a big crowd. And look closely, and you'll see that there's a lion on the horse-drawn wagon. Surely it can't be a real one? Bridgnorth Town Hall is the background.

24. Lion on the loose in Bridgnorth?

That's a parade and a half in Bridgnorth High Street. It could be a circus, but that's just a guess. Whatever it is, it's drawing a big crowd. And look closely, and you'll see that there's a lion on the horse-drawn wagon. Surely it can't be a real one? Bridgnorth Town Hall is the background. | Northgate Museum

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