By the time of the Norman invasion the Shropshire town of Shrewsbury was thriving. The River Severn served its purpose for defence and communication, but over the next few hundred years Shrewsbury grew to become one of the dozen most important towns in England, serving as a market town, and a meeting place for traders from Wales and central England. The wealth derived from the wool trade in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries is reflected in the timber-framed buildings, and the town has more than 600 listed buildings. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, Shrewsbury's importance declined, but in many ways this has given the town a new importance – the old buildings and stories that survive provide Shrewsbury with a charm that cannot be denied.

In this book, local author Dorothy Nicolle highlights fifty of the most significant buildings of Shropshire’s county town. It takes the reader through the centuries to discover the places and landmarks, both historic and modern, which tell the story of the town, its people and their way of life. Among the locations featured are the castle, abbey and town walls, together with medieval pubs, including the Golden Cross. Here, too, are Tudor treasures such as the Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury Library and Ireland’s Mansion. From Norman times right through to the twenty-first century with the Theatre Severn, which opened on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Shrewsbury’s famous son Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury in 50 Buildings will be of immense interest to residents, visitors and anyone with links to the town.

• The latest in Amberley's 'In 50 Buildings Series'
• Coverage and reviews in local press and media
• Sales potential in heritage sites as well as bookshops