The area known as Bear Steps is at the heart of the Medieval part of town. The original market place was in the graveyard of St. Alkmund's Church.
The historian A. E. Houseman described the old buildings as crowning "the scrubby hill" of which the name Shrewsbury is thought to have derived.
The name Bear Steps is taken from the Bear Steps Inn which stood opposite the steps leading to St. Alkmunds.
Today, a pleasant coffee shop is situated in the old buildings (be very careful to stoop as you enter!) and a gallery provides space for interesting exhibitions.
Nearby is the Abbots House, an Inn dating to 1450.
Reference: M. Moran,: "Bear Steps. 1982. Shrewsbury Civic Society,Shrewsbury, England.
