2 Best Sights in Shrewsbury, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England

An industrial relic that lay empty for years, this old flax mill turned malting floor has been restored and transformed into a lively, interactive attraction where visitors can learn about the history of the building and its 19th-century heyday, when it employed up to 800 locals, through the Industrial Revolution, its reinvention as a malting floor in the early 20th century, and its rebirth. Floor malting is a traditional, now less-used malting process during which wet grain is put on the floor to germinate. The building itself is remarkable; it's known as the "grandfather of skyscrapers" because it was the world's first multistory iron-framed building, soaring five stories high, no mean feat in 1797. For an extra price per tour, you can book a behind-the-scenes or tower tour. The excellent café on-site can be visited without paying admission and often hosts music and events, adding to the general buzz of the site. Parking is limited, but the site is quite accessible by other means, listed on the website.

Located in Shrewsbury's old Music Hall, this museum chronicles the history of the area from prehistoric times to the present day. One gallery tells the story of Roman occupation, with fascinating finds such as a unique silver mirror from nearby Wroxeter. Another gallery focuses on the town's boom years of the 19th century, including a display on the life of Shrewsbury’s most famous son, Charles Darwin. (Make sure you look out for his statue outside the library, near the castle.) The fine art collection contains mostly painting and prints of the region.