I’ll never forget the drive up to Shrewsbury last month – me, my wife Sarah, and our two cheeky labradoodles crammed into the car with half the kitchen sink. We’d been dreaming of this little getaway in North Wales for weeks, you know that buzz where you’re practically tasting the fresh air before you’ve even left the motorway? But typical us, about 20 miles out, I took a wrong turn onto some winding B-road, and the sat-nav threw a proper wobbly. “Recalculating,” it kept chirping, while Sarah shot me that look – the one that says, “This is why we can’t have nice things.” We laughed it off with a quick stop for fish and chips from a roadside van, grease-proof paper flapping in the wind, and arrived just as the sun dipped behind the hills, hearts racing with that arrival anticipation.

Pulling up to this delightful double-fronted terraced cottage, right in the heart of Shrewsbury overlooking the River Severn, it was love at first sight. Three storeys of stylish luxury, blending modern indulgence with bags of original charm – think sash windows, elegant coving, dado rails, and those non-working feature fireplaces in every bedroom that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a period drama. It’s perfect for a relaxed couple’s break like ours, with mates or family in mind too, and bang in the middle of town, steps from local shops and gazing out at the English Bridge. We dumped the bags and straight into the hot tub – oh mate, that first bubbly soak with a chilled prosecco, watching the river glide by? Pure bliss. The surround sound speakers kicked in with our playlist, and suddenly the drive fiasco felt like a distant memory.

The next couple of days were all about those simple pleasures of cottage life – the joyful chaos that makes it unforgettable. Mornings started with lazy brews on the riverside terrace, toasting crumpets while the dogs chased imaginary squirrels along the bank. We wandered hand-in-hand to the medieval market square, no more than a five-minute stroll, picking up artisan bread, local cheeses, and a punnet of strawberries that tasted like summer. Lunch was a picnic by the water’s edge, feet dangling over the Severn, giggling as a cheeky duck tried to nick our sandwiches. Afternoons? Ambling through the quirky lanes to Shrewsbury’s abbey – that ancient beauty straight out of Brother Cadfael – or just flopping in the lounge with a book, the world outside buzzing softly.

There was this one hilarious moment when the hot tub jets went into overdrive during a “romantic” evening dip, turning it into a bubbly jacuzzi rave. We emerged looking like drowned rats, towels wrapped tight, collapsing in hysterics on the terrace. Pure cottage chaos, but the best kind. And yeah, there was a gentle self-reflection bit too – sitting by the fireplace one night (fake flames flickering away), Sarah and I chatting about how we never slow down at home. This place forced us to unplug, savour the quiet rhythms of river views and town strolls, reminding us why these escapes recharge the soul.

We left with full bellies, fuller hearts, and a promise to return. If you’re after a cosy couple’s retreat with a dash of luxury and riverside magic, this Shrewsbury gem is it – simple joys, no faff.