Doctors looking for information about living in some of the UK's top towns and cities should look no further. Our local area guides provide detailed insight into what life is like in these popular towns and cities This series includes information on the cost of property and bills like council tax, public transport options, and the best spots to enjoy a drink.
Shrewsbury is a beautiful town situated in the heart of Shropshire, offering the perfect balance of countryside beauty and city convenience. With a vibrant culture, excellent transport links, and stunning landscapes, over 75,000 have called Shrewsbury their home. It’s an ideal location for people who want to live a modern lifestyle in a beautiful and peaceful environment.
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Accommodation in Shrewsbury
The housing market in Shrewsbury is very affordable, with a variety of options available to suit all budgets. From traditional family homes to modern apartments and luxury townhouses, Shrewsbury has something to suit everyone. Properties in Shrewsbury had an overall average price of £268,799 over the last year. The average rent for a one-bedroom property is £653 and for a two-bedroom £776 which is much lower than the price of major cities in the UK.
🏠 Average house prices: £268,799
🏠 Average rent for a flat: £747
🏠 Average rent for a house: £1,012
For Doctors working at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), there is accommodation available at both sites and the first month is free of charge.
Schools in Shrewsbury
A priority for many families in the UK is making sure they can find the right education and childcare. Many of the top government-funded schools which are free to attend, allow admission based on specific “catchment” areas. This means your home address must be within a specific distance of your preferred school for a chance of securing a place. When it comes to schools, Shrewsbury's schools are renowned for their quality through excellent OFSTED ratings across primary and secondary schools, as well as a range of higher education institutions.
Some of the areas with a high volume of top-rated schools include:
- SY3 postcode district, covering Shrewsbury (south and west) and Bayston Hill.
Household bills
Council tax varies by parish and town council areas. In Shrewsbury, this ranges from £1,278 to £4,333 annually. For more information, you can visit the Shropshire government website.
Severn Trent supplies water to the Shropshire region and the price varies depending on household usage. The average combined bill for a household in the Severn Trent area is increasing by 7.2%. For more information, you can visit the Severn Trent website.
Calculating the average gas and electricity bill across the UK is difficult as it depends on a variety of factors. The cost of your own bill will depend on the type of property you live in, where you live, the heating system that you have, the energy efficiency of the property, the number of people living there, and your personal usage. In some properties, energy is supplied solely through electricity. For further understanding of household bills as a doctor in the UK, visit our blog: 7 monthly household bills you need to know about.
Transport
Shrewsbury has an excellent transport infrastructure for a small town, with a range of options for getting around.
Car
Shrewsbury is in the West Midlands, fairly central in England and on the border of Wales. The A5 and A49 come together making it convenient to commute to and from the West Midlands, mid-Wales, and further afield. As these roads are the only main roads for commuters there can sometimes be significant traffic and bottlenecks around the Ellesmere Road and Coton Hill junction along with other roads north of town. As a result, some locals prefer to use public transport including buses, park and rides, and trains.
Buses
Arriva bus offers over 20 bus routes that travel in and around Shrewsbury and connect with places such as Telford, Oswestry, and other outlying villages and towns. With car parking at a premium in this historic town, bus travel is a great alternative for commuters and visitors alike.
Park and Ride
A popular initiative is “park and ride” which provides a direct express bus route to the town centre from three free large car parks located on the outskirts of town. The ticket costs just £2 which is cheaper than a car park in town and keeps the beautiful historic centre free of congestion and unnecessary traffic.
Trains
Shrewsbury railway station is the only train station in Shrewsbury. The station is operated by Transport for Wales and is a key network hub. It is also served by Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway services. Many services travelling through the station are headed to or from Wales.
- Shrewsbury to Manchester – 1h 29m
- Shrewsbury to Liverpool - 1h 50m
- Shrewsbury to Birmingham - 1h
- Shrewsbury to London – 2h 43m
Travelling to Shrewsbury
Some doctors choose to live in larger cities within the West Midlands due to the lifestyle offered in an urban area. Birmingham is the largest city in the West Midlands region and the third largest in the UK. Travelling to work at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) from Birmingham is straightforward by car and public transport.
During peak times most traffic is travelling in the opposite direction, making the total journey time the same as it would be to get to one of the hospitals within Birmingham.
🚗: Birmingham to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: 55 minutes
🚂: Birmingham to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: 1 hour 20 minutes
Leisure, food, and drink
At the centre of Shrewsbury lies the Square, where you can explore a wide variety of independent and chain restaurants and retailers. From Italian and French cuisine to baby clothes and men’s shoes, the Square has something for everyone! Just beyond the Square is a labyrinth of historic streets, each with its own unique independent and national stores and eateries. High Street is one of the most popular shopping destinations, home to a number of big-name stores, as well as independent retailers and restaurants. Nearby, Milk Street, and Princess Street are full of independent gems to discover, from restaurants to retailers. One of Shrewsbury’s worst-kept secrets is the multi-award-winning Shrewsbury Market Hall. A unique food & drink and shopping destination that offers a vibrant and eclectic fusion of the hand-crafted and the hard-to-find.
☕ Grab a cup of coffee at Ginger & Co Coffee
🍴 Top-rated restaurant: La Dolce Vita
🍴 Top-rated vegetarian restaurant: Okra
🍴 Top-rated Halal restaurant: Spiceland (Telford)
🍺 Most loved pub: The Loopy Shrew
Top attractions
If you're looking for things to do, Shrewsbury has plenty to offer. With its picturesque riverside location, the town is home to a number of parks, museums, art galleries, and attractions. The town also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the popular Shrewsbury Flower Show and the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. According to Trip Advisor, the top 10 must-see attractions that you can’t find anywhere else in the UK are as follows:
- Attingham Park
- The Quarry Park
- Hawkstone Park Follies
- Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
- Battlefield Falconry Centre
- St Chad’s Church
- Theatre Seven
- Wroxeter Roman Vineyard
- Shrewsbury Abbey
- Shropshire Falconry Ltd
Working as a Doctor in Shrewsbury
For medical professionals working for the NHS, Shrewsbury is a great place to be. There are plenty of career opportunities available, from general practice to specialist roles, and the quality of life here is excellent. The town boasts excellent transport links, so you can easily get to and from work, and the thriving local economy means that there are plenty of job opportunities. Shrewsbury is home to The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and in less than 60 minutes you can reach The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. There are 16 acute NHS trusts throughout the region making Shrewsbury a great option for those who want a diverse and fulfilling career.
Do you want a diverse and fulfilling career in the West Midlands?
At A&E Agency, we’re passionate about the quality of our people and proud of the services we provide. If you are a doctor and looking for temporary or permanent work in Shrewsbury or the West Midlands, please register today with the A&E Agency. A member of the team will be in touch to have a confidential discussion and understand your availability and requirements. If you are looking for work somewhere else in the UK, you can browse our vacancies. We recruit across a range of specialisms such as medicine, obs & gynae, paediatrics and more.
Resources
Average accommodation prices - https://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/shrewsbury/current_rents?location=shrewsbury
Council tax - https://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/shrewsbury/current_rents?location=shrewsbury
Water - https://www.stwater.co.uk/
Leisure, food, drink, and attraction ratings via Trip Advisor