Hit the movie trail in Shropshire this Christmas

Disney’s new animated version may be riding high in the DVD and Blu-Ray charts, but for the true spirit of A Christmas Carol head for Shrewsbury this December for a real-life taste of the original movie classic.

Known as England’s top Tudor town because of the number of listed buildings, it’s not hard to see why producers of the 1984 movie version of the Dickens Christmas favourite chose Shrewsbury as a location.

And while the beautiful riverside town always takes on a special seasonal feel at Christmas, this year will also see the return of the guided tours of the movie locations.

Film fans are being invited to join one of two special guided walks on Saturday 18 December that will wind their way around the real-life sets where the cast led by Hollywood legend George C Scott filmed – from the grand frontage of The Parade to the atmospheric shuts and passageways of the town centre.

Regarded as the version closest to the Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas, the 1984 movie was shot in various locations, including Tanners Wine Merchants (Fezziwig's warehouse) and St. Chad's churchyard where the 'prop' gravestone of Ebenezer Scrooge was left behind after filming.

The walks, each lasting for about 90 minutes, start at 11am and 2pm and depart from the Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre at Rowley’s House in Barker Street.

Tickets are £4 for adults and £2.50 for children (16 and under), booking in advance is essential. Contact: Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre - visitorinfo@shropshire.gov.uk

For more information go to: visitshrewsbury.org