IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Mardol, SHREWSBURY, SY1 1PS

On the right in the image is The Shrewsbury Hotel and next to it the entrance to Carnarvon Lane, one of the town's 'shuts' or passages. The name, which has remained unchanged, was possibly connected with Welsh traders (the Welsh Bridge is close by although no longer directly at the foot of Mardol); more likely it was called after a C15 resident named Ludovick Carnarvon. Mardol was formerly spelt Mardefole or Mardeval, possibly meaning Devil's Boundary - whether this had to do with the rascally Welsh or with the area's mediaeval sex workers is anybody's guess.

Grade II listed https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101270706-entrance-to-victorian-arcade-shrewsbury#.WsxdVvnwaM9 in 1972, this is now the frontage to a veritable cavern of home furnishings.

The building with its overhanging storeys (a means to gain space) can be accurately dated back to 1404 although restored in the early C19. The inn was formerly called The Last but became The King's Head in 1804. This area of the town was once the red light district and the inn was often the scene of uproar. There are some interesting historical details to be found here http://www.historicalhostelries.co.uk/000027.html On this side of the inn can be seen the entrance to King's Head Passage, a "shut" leading to Smithfield Road.

Number 53, Mardol, another half-timbered building and, to the right, the entrance to Phoenix Place, formerly called Mason's or Shackleton's Shut, but then named after Mr Phoenix the baker who once sold his goods at No. 53. The 'typical' black and white livery of these old houses dates only from the C19. Prior to that the timbers were more often limewashed to protect them from the weather.

Originally a single late 16th century town house, but now converted to a pair of shops, no 26 was Grade II listed in 1953, with no 26a joining it in 1969 https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101254609-26-mardol-shrewsbury#.WsxfAfnwaM8

Grade II listed https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101270707-28-and-29-mardol-shrewsbury#.Wsxg8_nwaM8 in 1969, this early 18th century dwelling is now a pair of shops, but retains many of its original design features.

A curving terrace of 9 houses (there were originally 3 more to the left, but they have been demolished and replaced) which date from the early 19th century. The whole terrace was Grade II listed https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101270755-26-34-hills-lane-shrewsbury#.YuVhTXbMLIU & https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1270755 in 1972. Each has a very small garden or patio area at the rear.

Early 18th century in origin, and built as a pair of shops and offices; the whole was Grade II listed https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101254523-35-hills-lane-see-details-for-further-address-information-shrewsbury#.YuVU6HbMLIU & https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1254523 as early as 1953.

The timber-framed building this jolly chap adorns was once a pub, then a teashop, and is now an opticians'.

A very large old inn at the bottom of Mardol.