Social media users have been sharing their recommendations for underrated UK towns and cities to visit, and one took a visitor by surprise with the amount of shops, restaurants and historical buildings. Tourists at home and abroad are familiar with the hotspots of the UK that swell with visitors, from the UK’s capital city to the seaside thrill of Brighton. However, there are many towns and cities across the country that many people never consider going to.

One Reddit post listed a number of underrated UK towns and cities that the poster thinks people should visit. In the comments section, another user gave their recommendation, saying they were taken aback by how much the town actually had to offer. “We went for a weekend and had a great time,” they revealed. The town they are talking about is Shrewsbury, located in Shropshire in the west of England. Shrewsbury’s streets are lined with half-timbered houses that almost transport you back in time, and there are many attractions that tourists have praised in the past.

While the author of the post listed Hull, Coventry, Halifax and Bury as places to go, one response hailed Shrewsbury as an excellent option. They said it has a “lovely town centre, great shops and restaurants and interesting historic buildings”.

“I’ve lived less than a couple of hours from it for years (Cheshire) but it’s never been on my radar at all until I was looking for a vineyard to take my GF to for her birthday,” they said. “I surprised her with a prearranged gift voucher at a specialist whiskey shop, we went for an escape experience at the former prison, and saw a Pink cover band at a place with very sticky floors and stickier punters.

“We were both a bit surprised that there was a proper decent town in a part of the country I just thought was a bit of a nowhere between Brum and Wales.”

Among the top-rated attractions in Shrewsbury is Attingham Park, a beautiful 18th-century home with stunning gardens and woodland, as well as historic buildings and a few coffee shops. One visitor said of this place: “What a wonderful and informative way to spend some time at Attingham Park. Why not book on to the Hidden Home Tour. For the minimal cost of just £6 per head, you’ll be transported in the knowledgeable company of your guide.”

Nature lovers are treated to an array of things to do in Shrewsbury, including Hawkstone Park Follies, The Quarry Park, Battlefield Bird of Prey Centre, and Stiperstone Nature Reserve.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury also has the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, Shrewsbury Abbey, St Mary’s Church, and Market Hall Shrewsbury. Four Michelin-starred restaurants, The Walrus, The Bear Inn, Wild Shropshire, and Docket Restaurant, are located in Shrewsbury.

Another Reddit poster said of Shrewsbury: “Me and my girlfriend (27-year-olds) visited Shrewsbury now a fair few times and have fallen in love with the place! I honestly, cannot fault the place currently.”

Another said: “Lived here for 31 years. It genuinely is a lovely place to live. I love how close it is to such beautiful countryside. Sure there are some not so nice areas to avoid living in but you get them anywhere.”

A third wrote: “It’s a fabulous town with a wonderfully vibrant hospitality culture; great restaurants, bars along with all the food outlets in the indoor market. Shropshire is the land that time forgot, in the nicest possible way. There’s so much beautiful scenery along with pretty towns and villages.”