The Lion Hotel Shrewsbury

Hotels
7.2 (2219 reviews)
Wyle Cop , Shrewsbury , gb

Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Heating
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Non-smoking throughout
Private parking
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Good location
Helpful staff
Historic charm
Cons:
Poor cleanliness
Dated facilities
No breakfast option

Categories

Cleanliness
5.78
Many mentions of stains and dirt throughout the hotel led to a negative perception of cleanliness.
Service
8.75
Staff were described as friendly and helpful, with positive experiences mentioned.
Location
9.29
The hotel is well-located, with most reviews highlighting this as a positive aspect.
Room Quality
6.74
Rooms were noted to be dated and uncomfortable in some cases, leading to mixed reviews.
Amenities
6.27
Lack of breakfast and various malfunctioning facilities contributed to a low perception of amenities.
Value for Money
7.23
Overall value is questioned due to issues experienced during the stay, like paying for parking.
Food and Beverage
5.78
No breakfast service available detracted from the perceived quality of food and beverage options.
Overall Experience
7.75
While there were significant issues mentioned, the location and some positive aspects helped balance the overall experience.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 09:43

Property Description

Historic Charm and Elegance

This 16th-century coaching inn, frequented by literary and historical icons, offers a unique stay in the heart of Shrewsbury. The Elizabethan decor and Grade I-listed status provide a glimpse into the past, with the opportunity to relax by the Tudor fireplace where Charles Dickens penned parts of The Pickwick Papers.

Unique Rooms with Modern Comforts

Each room at The Lion blends historic charm with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy unique furnishings, renovated decor, and original features alongside private bathrooms, TVs, and tea/coffee facilities, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.

Central Location for Exploring

Situated within walking distance of central Shrewsbury, guests can easily explore the historic streets, shops, and attractions. With shopping centres and the rail station nearby, The Lion offers convenience for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the town's rich history and culture.

Book your stay at The Lion today and experience a blend of history and luxury in Shrewsbury.

Important information:

Any Client wishing to book 5 rooms or more throughout the year will be charge a 10% deposit at the time of Booking. This payment is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Any Client wishing to book 10 rooms or more throughout the year will be charge a 20% deposit at the time of Booking. This payment is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Please note some of the rooms have further stairs after the elevator, if guests prefer to be on the main hall and near the elevator please mention this in the Special Request Section when booking.

The hotel has limited parking, and follows a first-come-first-served policy. Other parking areas are located nearby.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: BHX

Location

Guest Reviews

7.2
Based on 2219 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.78
Service: 8.75
Location: 9.29
Room Quality: 6.74
Amenities: 6.27
Value for Money: 7.23
Food and Beverage: 5.78
Overall Experience: 7.75
J
Jane solo_traveller gb
5
Great location but poorly maintained
Pros:

Friendly, helpful staff. Comfortable bed. Spacious room and bathroom. Beautiful old building. Perfect location with parking. Shrewsbury beautiful.

Cons:

Lack of facilities, with no bar or communal rooms open. Poor maintenance. The hotel is for sale - hopefully money will be spent to restore it once sold.

2026-07-25 via Nuitee
K
Kristian couple gb
1
2026-07-24 via Nuitee
H
Heather solo_traveller gb
10
2026-07-21 via Nuitee
S
Sheena couple gb
8
Pros:

The location is very good. The parking is excellent. It is very clean and the bed is comfortable

Cons:

No breakfast or bar

2026-07-21 via Nuitee
R
Rachel couple gb
9
A very enjoyable couple of days.
Pros:

The central location was great, the building was gorgeous - all that lovely wood panelling. The staff were lovely too and very helpful with taking our bags to our rooms.

Cons:

It was a shame that there wasn't a bar or even anywhere to get a bottle of water but there was tea and coffee provided in the rooms and you could ask for more at reception.

2026-07-20 via Nuitee
J
Joanna couple gb
6
Great location but hotel dated and a little dissapointedly underwhelming
Pros:

Size of the room and the fact the hotel had lots of history. The location was perfect for exploring the town centre.

Cons:

The hotel is in need of some investment and refurbishment, as many areas felt quite dated and tired. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite the grand hotel I had imagined, which was disappointing given its fascinating history. The hotel has welcomed many notable guests over the years, including Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, The Beatles and Morecambe and Wise, so it has a wonderful heritage and plenty of character. However, we felt the building could benefit from some updates to help it live up to its reputation. On arrival, the welcome was somewhat underwhelming, with staff appearing indifferent rather than warm and welcoming. We were also surprised to find that breakfast was not available as an option during our stay. We visited during one of the hottest days of the year. While the hotel did provide a fan, the combination of the heat and the very small bed made for an uncomfortable night's sleep. The bathroom was particularly dated and showed signs of wear and tear. Our room faced the front of the hotel, which meant there was a noticeable amount of noise from outside during the night. Overall, while the hotel's history and character are impressive, the facilities and guest experience fell short of our expectations.

2026-07-20 via Nuitee
A
Anthony couple gb
8
Sojourn in Shrewsbury.
Pros:

An old fashioned building with character. Quiet atmosphere. Near to town centre facilities.

Cons:

Room was quite a long walk and required climbing lots of stairs.

2026-07-20 via Nuitee
A
ange solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

Comfy beds
Quite central

Cons:

Tv very small, but nothing major

2026-07-20 via Nuitee
H
Heather ☺️ solo_traveller gb
1
God dam AWFUL 😖
Pros:

Nothing. Staff are un willing and jobs worthy.
Room was not swept or hoovered tea tray not filled. Toilet didn't flush without really pumping the handle. Just unkept ALL floors squeek the smell of sewage in the corridor is so terrible.
I can't believe its open.
It used to be a great place the new owners clearly prefer a dump.

Cons:

Nothing. Staff are un willing and jobs worthy.
Room was not swept or hoovered tea tray not filled. Toilet didn't flush without really pumping the handle. Just unkept ALL floors squeek the smell of sewage in the corridor is so terrible.
I can't believe its open.
It used to be a great place the new owners clearly prefer a dump.

2026-07-19 via Nuitee
A
Angie solo_traveller gb
9
Pros:

Location, facilities and staff. Hotel was superb - full of character and original features.

2026-07-19 via Nuitee
P
PASCALE solo_traveller fr
8
2026-07-18 via Nuitee
P
Princess Rosamund solo_traveller gb
7
Ideal location, a good base for a couple of days' work, bed not super comfy.
Pros:

Location was great, bathroom was very nice and spacious, as was the room. nice to have some teabags and a pack of biscuits in the room also. It was also quiet and relaxed in the hotel as a whole - great for early morning starts for work. 11am checkout time also good.

Cons:

The mattress was pretty uncomfortable as I could feel the springs, I solved this by sleeping on top of the duvet as it was warm overnight. The parking was more expensive than I'd expected. Hairdryer didn't work, which I did report. Overall it wasn't a bad experience, just could have been a bit more comfortable and with a bit more warmth from staff.

2026-07-15 via Nuitee
T
Timothy solo_traveller gb
8
Pros:

Secure undercover parking,cental location, quirky old fashioned

2026-07-14 via Nuitee
W
WHITESTAR2015 Couples
6
A visit we will remember with fondness.
Pros:

The Hotel is a wonderful building dating back to the middle ages with all the old features in tact & wonderful to see however the rest of the place including the bedrooms & floors need a total revamp ,the introduction of a bar & restaurant as this will be vital for visitors .lts well worth staying there as the new owners will improve the place & we will certainly stay there again in this wonderful building.The staff were so kind & helpful & really do go the extra mile for their guests.Well worth our time in Shrewsbury.

2026-07-13 via Tripadvisor
J
Jack solo_traveller gb
4
2026-07-13 via Nuitee
R
Roger family_with_children gb
5
Hotel OK but Booking.com failed again
Pros:

Very helpful and friendly staff

Cons:

Bathroom radiator wouldn't turn off. Mislead by Booking.com on facilities - booked breakfast, Booking said OK, hotel didn't do any food. We were overcharged by Booking. Difficult to see exactly where, but maybe for the breakfast we couldn't have but room tate was well above the hotel rate.

2026-07-13 via Nuitee
V
Vanessa couple gb
10
2026-07-13 via Nuitee
M
marina family_with_children gb
8
Beautiful hotel, a bit dated
Pros:

Close to the centre. Facilities a bit dated, hot room and bathroom towel rack on all night and carpets could do with replacing.

Cons:

As above

2026-07-13 via Nuitee
G
GEOFFREY solo_traveller jo
6
Pros:

Right in the heart of a beautiful town, a good sized room at an excellent price. Being able to leave luggage was very helpful.

Cons:

The room was incredibly hot and this made it uncomfortable. Drawing the curtains and cracking the windows prior to out arrival migjt have mitigated this. No bar downstairs

2026-07-13 via Nuitee
J
Jane solo_traveller gb
8
Truly memorable stay in this historic hotel right in the heart of old Shrewsbury
Pros:

Very friendly and helpful staff.

Hotel dates from the 16th century and has been beautifully preserved. It is situated in the historic centre within easy walking distance of the river.

2026-07-13 via Nuitee