The Dolphin, Castlefields, Shrewsbury

Victorian pub in what was once an heavily industrialized area of town , the Dolphin was built between the Shropshire Canal(hence the nautical name) and the old Whitchurch Turnpike and near the historic Ditherington Flax Mill , the worlds first steel framed building and grandfather of the modern skyscrapper . The pub was a Brewpub for a few years in the early 2000s before closing down and very nearly turned into flats untill a campaign by a few locals and a lot of help from Joules Brewery the Dolphin was saved and has had a complete makeover . The pubs exterior is in white with some traditional sign-writing , the pub sign is a recreation of the old Victorian sign , the entrance is central and has etched windows either side declaring Bar and Smoke room , it is two storeys at the front and three at the back . The small bar is slightly to the right of the entrance , there is a red brick flooring with bench seating around the sides , an old fireplace and a few tables dotted around , there are a few large Joules mirrors around and some pictures of the Flax mill , of interest are the still working Gas Lights , believed to be the last ones in a Shropshire pub , this room leads into the games area with darts and dominos available , this then leads out to the outside decked area built out over the lower storey giving great views over the Railway , Crewe Bank Signal Box , a carpark and the fire station . To the left of the entrance is the smoke room this has ancient wooden flooring , you can see into the room below through the cracks between the planks , decor is similar to the rest of the pub with Mirrors and pictures of old Shrewsbury . Usual keg taps on a couple of low T Bars and Six Handpulls , three with Joules beers , Blonde , Stumbling Monk and Pale plus two guests , Blue Monkey BG Sips and Howard Town Wrens Nest , i had the Wrens Nest and the Blonde both in good nick and very good value for Shrewsbury. A selection of reasonably priced bar snacks were available. The customers were a mixed bunch ranging from Students up to a few older couples , staff were young and friendly . This place is a very good pub and a worthy addition to the Local pub scene , well worth the short walk out of town to visit .