IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Barracks Passage, Wyle Cop, SHREWSBURY, SY1 1XA

Shrewsbury retains a number of 'shuts' or alleyways which provide convenient shortcuts and which enable pedestrians to get around the centre of the town in an almost bygone world behind and between the busy shopping streets. These narrow passages date back to the Middle Ages when the town must have been a veritable rabbit warren: many have disappeared in the course of redevelopment and those that remain deserve to be preserved. The origin of the name is obscure but, it has been suggested that, unlike closed cul-de sacs, these alleys, being open both ends, allow the pedestrian to 'shoot' rapidly from one street to another. 'Shut' could also be a contraction of 'shortcut' which is what it usually is! Bowdler's Passage is a private passage off Wyle Cop although formerly public as far back as the 1700s. There is evidence of a bell foundry on the site in the mediaeval period. It emerges in Beeches Lane close to Bowdler's School Image]

The view of the restaurant in Barracks Passage in Shrewsbury. The building dates back to the early 1400s.

The timber framed building, left, is part of an extensive grade I listed pub that dates from the 15th century. See Image for the frontage to Wyle Cop. Originally a house, later an inn, at the time of listing called the Trotting Horse. Whatpub.com gives a longer history: 'first recorded as an inn in 1868 though it had previously functioned as a brew house. It closed as a pub in 1925 before re-emerging in 1990 as the Lion & Tap. A substantial restoration in Oct 2012 led to its current luxurious state. Since 2022 a Joules house.'

Restaurant and brasserie in Barracks Passage. The Grade I listed late 15th century building was reputed to have got its name when Henry Tudor stayed at the site in 1485 on his way to victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.

Variously known in the past as the Lion Tap, and the Trotting Horse building, this fine range of timber framed construction is effectively the rear portion of Image on Wyle Cop. It dates from the early 15th century, a date of 1426 being confirmed by tree-ring study of some of the oak timbers. Grade I listed https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101246462-the-trotting-horse-building-shrewsbury#.Yf_0k-rP3IU & https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1246462 in 1972.

Tapas bar and restaurant in Barracks Passage, viewed from Belmont Bank.