Shropshire Routes to Roots

Trade directories: Rivers, Lakes, Canals and Railways of Shropshire (Slaters Directory, 1850)

Rivers, Lakes, Canals and Railways, 1850 [Shropshire Archive reference: Slater's Directory, 1850]

RIVERS, LAKES and MINERAL SPRINGS, CANALS and RAILWAYS - The principal RIVERS of this county are the Severn, the Tern and the Rodan; the smaller ones are the Teme, the Colun, the Warren, and the Rea, besides numerous inconsiderable streams and brooks, the waters of almost all of which finally reach the Severn. The noble Severn enters Shropshire at Melverley, about eleven miles from Shrewsbury - flows past the latter town, and, after visiting Coalbrookdale, Madeley, and Bridgnorth, enters Worcestershire at Bewdley. The Tern rises in Staffordshire, and enters the north part of the county where, after receiving the waters of the Rodan, it runs into the Severn near Brompton Ferry. The Rodan has its source in the north of the county, and joins the Tern near Walcott. The LAKES, though neither numerous or of great extent, form a variety in the landscape, not often met with in the midland counties - that adjoining Ellesmere covers nearly one hundred and twenty acres; and there are several others in the neighbourhood, but of smaller dimensions. Near Whitchurch are two other lakes, or mere; while, on the northern side of the Severn, are those of Fennymere, Llynclys-pool, and Ancot. On the western side of the county is Marton pool, covering about forty acres; and at Shrawardine is a fine piece of water of nearly the same extent: there is another Marton pool on the northern side of the Severn, of nearly the same size as the former. South of the Severn, and a few miles from Shrewsbury, is Beaumere, a small but lovely sheet of water; and almost adjoining it is Shomere. There are MEDICINAL SPRINGS of different qualities at Smeithmore and Moreton-Say, in the hundred of Bradford, and at Admaston, two miles and a half north-west from Wellington, in the parish of Wrockwardine - at the latter, and near to the Wrekin hill, is a capital Inn and Baths, called the 'Admaston Spa Hotel and Boarding House'. There are other springs near Ludlow; at Broseley, and in the vicinity of Wenlock. About two miles to the south of Shrewsbury, and close to Sutton village, is a spring, the waters of which are saline and chalybeate, and somewhat resemble those of Cheltenham. The CANALS which pass through Shropshire are the Ellesmere, the Shrewsbury, the Kington, the Donington Wood, and the Dudley Extension; all in a greater of less degree important, and perhaps essential to the carrying trade of the county. RAILWAYS, for the conveyance of heavy articles, have for several years, and to a considerable extent, been in use in this county: the extensive iron and coal tract about Coalbrookdale is intersected by numerous tram-roads, leading from the coal works to the different foundries, and the wharfs on the banks of the canal and the river Severn. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway proceeds from the latter city, by way of Wrexham, Rhuabon, Clun and Oswestry, to Shrewsbury, where it meets the Shrewsbury and Hereford railway: this line visits Ludlow, and soon after leaves the county for that of Hereford. The communication by rail between the Metropolis and Liverpool includes Salop in the advantages consequent thereupon - by the opening of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham line, and the Shrewsbury and Chester; while a direct intercourse is maintained with Staffordshire and the Pottery district, by means of the Shrewsbury and Stafford branch of the Shropshire Union railway.