Shrewsbury Town Centre Venues
Many of the Festival’s events are planned for the week leading up Charles Darwin’s birthday on the February12th, although there are also a number of events to look forward to before and after the main nine-day celebration.
This year’s programme features lectures, talks, exhibitions and guided tours, including the rare opportunity to visit Darwin’s childhood garden – and the ‘thinking path’ walked by the young Charles Darwin every morning which played a major role in the formation of his thoughts on evolution.
There will be the annual birthday toast at the Bellstone which people are invited to join, the Darwin Memorial Lecture and guided tours of Darwin’s birthplace – The Mount (known now as Darwin House) organised by John Hughes, Darwin House Museum Project Manager at Shropshire Council.
Mr Hughes said: “Preparations have gone well and we are now eagerly anticipating the DarwIN Shrewsbury Festival’s 20th anniversary. It promises to be a truly memorable occasion with more than 30 individual quality events taking place.
“I would like to thank all those who have been instrumental in organising the event for their support, the various venues around Shrewsbury who will be hosting events and everyone else who has played a part in ensuring the festival can go ahead.
“The past year has been hugely important for us with the ongoing refurbishment of Darwin House and it will be wonderful to welcome people here for a number of events during the festival.
“This year’s festival actually gets under way with the launch of an exhibition which runs from January 14th to March 26th and is entitled Charles Darwin in Shrewsbury – the Making of a Marvellous Mind.
“It’s an exhibition which will accompany the launch of local author Jon King’s book by the same name, focussing on Darwin’s childhood and upbringing in Shrewsbury.
“The book signing launch takes place at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on January 18th and it will be Jon who will make his now traditional toast to Darwin on the great man’s birthday on February 12th.”
Other festival highlights include: A tour of Charles Darwin’s Shrewsbury on February 4th and, the following day, an afternoon focussed on Charles Darwin’s Family – Vaughan Williams: The Man and His Music.
The event will take place in the original family dining room in Darwin House and will feature a talk about the life and music of the composer who was a great nephew of Darwin. The talk, presented by Ted Maidment, will be accompanied by John Moore on piano and Alex Postlethwaite on violin.
February 6th will see Shropshire Chamber of Commerce relaunch its 1835 Group supported by University Centre Shrewsbury; an event aimed at shaping the future of the Shropshire business landscape.
There will be an illustrated talk by Shrewsbury School’s Dr Robin Brooke-Smith on February 8th on Darwin: From Shrewsbury Schoolboy to International Scientific Superstar, guided tours of Darwin’s Garden will be held on February 8th and 11th, and, also on the 11th, there is a guided tour of Darwin’s birthplace.
The annual Darwin Memorial Lecture takes place on February 12th when Dr Jude Piesse, a lecturer in English literature at Liverpool’s John Moores University will examine Darwin’s family garden at The Mount and its impact on Darwin’s life, and work – experiences which were the catalyst for his world-changing discoveries.
A full programme of over 30 events throughout the month of February can be found at: https://darwin.originalshrewsbury.co.uk/
Shropshire Museums
Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury BID
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
University Centre Shrewsbury / CREST
Darwin Birthplace Trust
Shrewsbury Civic Society
Royal Society of Biology West Midlands
Embark on a journey through Ludlow`s enchanting streets on a sunny Saturday market day! 🌞✨
Witness the lively atmosphere as local traders bring colors and flavors to the scene. Explore quaint independent shops, bask in the aromatic charm of cafes, and savor culinary delights at local restaurants.
Ludlow`s picturesque streets are a canvas of culture waiting to be explored! 🛍️🍽️
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🌸✨ Mark your calendars for a bloomin` good time at Frankly Alpacas – it`s Springtime Fun on the Farm! 🦙💐
Join Frankly Alpacas Monday 12th - Sunday 18th and Monday 25th of March - Sunday 7th of April for an unforgettable experience with alpacas, lambs, and adorable Dexter cows. Get up close and personal with these furry friends through farm tours and hands-on encounters. It`s a day filled with smiles, laughter, and the joy of Spring in the air. Don`t miss out on this farmtastic adventure!
Check all the details and secure your spot! @frankly_alpacas
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"🏰✨ Dive into the heart of Shrewsbury`s Castle Quarter – the epicenter of history and grandeur! 🏰 Home to four of the town`s largest historic treasures – Shrewsbury Castle, Library, Prison, and Train Station.
Did you know Shrewsbury Castle`s foundations were laid in 1083 by the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, Roger de Montgomery?
Montgomery, a cousin of William the Conqueror, earned this castle and more as a thank-you for his aid during the Norman conquest.
From royal stronghold to a 16th-century transformation, Shrewsbury Castle has quite the story. Now, it stands majestically, housing the Shropshire Regimental Museum. 👑🏰 Ready to step into the pages of history?
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Embark on an extraordinary half-term adventure at the enchanting Hawkstone Park Follies! 🌲✨
This hidden gem invites you to explore a sprawling landscape filled with magical surprises. Hawskstone Park Follies are offering 50% off general admission from February 9th to 18th, making it the perfect opportunity to uncover the mysteries that await.
Set in 100 acres of Parkland The Follies is a range of dramatic and rugged natural sandstone hills that were developed to include gullies, caves, towers and bridges, becoming one of the most visited landscapes in Britain during the 19th Century. However, throughout the 20th Century this romantic landscape became forgotten, overgrown and ruinous, unvisited by all but the locals.
Now recognised as a Masterpiece of the School of Naturalistic Landscape and designated as a Grade I listed landscape by English Heritage, this magical and exhilarating landscape had a new lease of life with a multi-million pound restoration project enabling it to reopen to visitors in 1993. Overgrown but never fully forgotten, pathways were cleared, gullies reopened and handrails reinstalled to allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular views and surprises that The Follies reveals around every corner.
Friends of the Follies can also enjoy special annual pass upgrade offers available at the gate, ensuring that the magic doesn`t end after one visit!
Ready for an immersive experience where you can adventure, explore, and discover?
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🌲✨ Join The Gruffalo on a birthday adventure at Haughmond Hill! 🎉🎈
Celebrating 25 years of magical tales, Forestry England presents a brand new family trail for an unforgettable experience in the deep dark woods.
Follow the path from the visitor car park, embark on a quest to find party items, and help choose the perfect present for the Gruffalo. 🐭🎁
Enjoy fun, games, and discover the wonders of forest life along the way. Don`t forget your activity pack for just £4 at Haughmond Hill Café—it`s packed with party-ready surprises! 🎂🌳
Warm up, bundle up, and make this winter a Gruffalo birthday celebration to remember! ❄️
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