It is amazing how much hidden history there is in Shrewsbury. Thousands of people will have walked through the second archway into The Lion not realising they can see part of the town’s stagecoach history from 200 years ago.
The infamous stagecoach rider Sam Hayward’s greatest claim to fame was the speed at which he would bring the Shrewsbury Wonder up Wyle Cop, turn full circle at the top to enter The Lion’s yard without stopping and having only inches to spare on either side, a feat only one other coach driver ever attempted.
A writer at the time said of the spectacle: “It never failed to draw an appreciative knot of spectators or to transfix with horror any strangers who might choose to be among the outside passengers on the Wonder.”
Often the stagecoach wheel hubs would over the years in the early 19th century grate against the stone archway causing indents in the columns which can still be seen today (see pictures below by Richard Bishop).
Many people miss this concentrating on the first archway which has been considerably widened to allow cars to turn off Wyle Cop in The Lion car park.
Sam Hayward was a Shrewsbury legend and his reputation for timekeeping was so great that if the Shrewsbury market clock didn’t coincide with the arrival time of the Wonder at The Lion, the clock was declared to be wrong.
The Lion Hotel is full of fascinating history and I give many talks about this. If you would like me to come to your group email me on John@jbutterworth.plus.com or phone 01785 817465 or 07955 262633.
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