On Arthur’s trail . . .
shropshirestar.com - Apr 23, 2008
County tourism managers are looking to cash in on the revival of interest in English myths and legends by luring people to Shropshire in order to follow the trail of King Arthur.A new leaflet has been published by Shropshire Tourism, encouraging visitors to follow the historic trail through Shrewsbury, Hawkstone Park, Baschurch, Oswestry and Much Wenlock.
The aim is promote the legendary king’s links with the county and dispel the myth he actually hailed from the south-west of England.
Tourism managers decided to publish On The Trail of King Arthur in Shropshire as a result of renewed interest in the legend thanks to films such as King Arthur and The Da Vinci Code.
A Shropshire Tourism spokesman said: “The national and international media come to Shropshire to research the real home of the legendary King Arthur and public interest in the legend of King Arthur is still very strong.
“So if you think King Arthur’s home was the south west of England think again. Arthur’s spiritual home was Camelot - now known as Wroxeter Roman City near Shrewsbury.
“Guinevere was an Oswestry lass, being born at the Old Oswestry Hill Fort. The Holy Grail was actually found at Hawkstone Park, and Arthur’s final resting place is Baschurch.
“King Arthur’s crown jewels are believed to have been buried in Much Wenlock by Arthur’s heir Cynddylan and are still waiting to be discovered.”
On The Trail Of King Arthur is largely based on research and on the book King Arthur: The True Story by Graham Phillips and Martin Keatman.
It features trails and walks around the county, taking in locations including Wroxeter, The Wrekin, Much Wenlock, Whittington, Hawkstone Park and Baschurch.
Manuscripts in the British Library, from much earlier than the medieval romances used for the legend, suggest King Arthur historically existed and was a king of Powys, a kingdom that once covered what is now Shropshire and Mid Wales.
Shropshire Tourism senior marketing officer Helen Edwards said: “We hope the leaflet continues to intrigue residents and attract visitors to Shropshire.”
Copies of On The Trail of King Arthur in Shropshire are available from visitor information centres or from www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/king-arthur
