Serving exceptional gourmet cuisine, this 16th-century travelers inn has played host to both Dickens and Darwin. With beautiful, Elizabethan decor, The Lion is in the heart of historic Shrewsbury. With Michelin-starred and award-winning chefs, The Hayward serves fantastic British cuisine with unique twists, all made with the finest seasonal and local ingredients. The Lion is a Grade I-listed building, and guests can relax by the Tudor fireplace. The Pickwick Papers were written by Charles Dickens at the hotel itself, and it has also been visited by the 19th-century Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, as well as the legendary violinist, Paganini. Rooms offer unique furnishings with renovated decor and original features. Private bathrooms are included in each room, along with a TV and tea/coffee facilities. Free parking is provided, and the many historic streets and shops of central Shrewsbury can be reached within 5 minutes by foot. Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centers are both less than a 10 minute walk away, and Shrewsbury Train Station is a 15-minute walk from The Lion.