Much Wenlock

Much Wenlock is a rustic 700-year-old medieval market town filled with a patchwork of twisting streets, black and white half-timbered buildings, limestone cottages, specialty shops, numerous hostelries and watering holes and the remains of a magnificent 12th-century priory.
It is also the home of the modern Olympics. In 1850 local G.P. Dr William Penny-Brookes (1809 - 1895), who introduced physical education into British schools, inspired the fore-runner of the modern Olympic Games for the "promotion of moral, physical and intellectual improvement" and although the games' venues are now decided by international committee rather than by the parish council, the local version is still held every July.

By road

The main road in and out of the town is the A458 (Shrewsbury Road) connecting the town between Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.

By bus

18 (Arriva) – The number 18 bus goes from Telford Bus station to: Madeley, Ironbridge, Jackfield, Broseley, Benthall and Much Wenlock.

By train

Train service was discontinued in 1951.
The nearest train station is with connections to Birmingham Airport-Birmingham New Street-Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury.

On foot

Much of the town is walkable and most of the sites can be visited on foot.

By car

The town has several car parks including at Wenlock Priory and in the town centre.

• Back Lane car park

  address: Back Ln, TF13 6AD

• Falcons Court car park

  address: Falcons Court, TF13 6BF

• New Road car park

  address: New Rd, TF13 6EQ

• Saint Mary’s Lane car park

  address: St Marys Lane, TF13 6HD

• Wenlock Priory car park

  phone: +44 1952 727466
  address: 5 Sheinton St, TF13 6HS

• Wenlock Priory

  phone: +44 1952 727466
  address: 5 Sheinton Street, TF13 6HS
  Spectacular ruins located on the edge of the town which are the remains of a 12th-century church that belonged to the Cluniac monastery, refounded in 1079 and 1082, on the site of an earlier 7th century foundation, by Roger de Montgomery. It is thought to be the final resting place of St Milburga, whose bones were discovered during restoration work in 1101. Wenlock Priory is the perfect place to sit on a warm, mid-summer day and relax. The delightful grounds contain a well groomed collection of topiary.

• Much Wenlock Museum and Visitor Centre

  phone: +44 1952 727679
  address: The Memorial Hall, High St, TF13 6HR
  Houses a collection of memorabilia relating to the town and its townsfolk. It also houses a separate Olympic collection.

• Holy Trinity Church

  phone: +44 1952 727396
  address: Wilmore St, TF13 6HR
  Much Wenlock's church is Norman and has a battlemented tower and Jacobean pulpit with carved panels, depicting, rather oddly, some two-tailed mermen.

• The Guildhall

  phone: +44 1952 727509
  address: Corn Exchange, High St, TF13 6AE
  The Guidhall is the town's government building with chambers for political discussion, it can be visited depending on the time of the year. There are also markets and monthly art exhibitions.

Further afield

• Wenlock Edge

  phone: +44 1694 725000
  Take a walk along Wenlock Edge. Above the town rises the Wenlock Edge which provides glorious views. This 15 mile limestone escarpment was created when Shropshire could be found just south of the equator - some 400 million years ago. Looked after by the National Trust, The Edge and its ancient woodlands are excellent for walks, cycling and riding. Long distance routes like the Jack Mytton Way and Shropshire Way pass over Wenlock Edge.

• Benthall Hall

  phone: +44 1952 882159
  address: The Avenue, Broseley, TF12 5RX
  A 16th-century house with stunning interior and carefully restored plantsman's garden.

• Much Wenlock Park

  address: Station Rd, TF13 6JE
  A large park with a playground. You can walk along the perimeter or alternatively the old railway tracks or up the hill with the old windmill.

• Olympian trailFollow the Olympian trail around the town and learn about Much Wenlock's Olympic connections. Collect a leaflet from the Visitor Information Centre and follow a self-led tour following the metallic 'markers' embedded into the streets.

Visit Tales from the Edge, the world-famous international storytelling festival which takes places in Much Wenlock every July.

• Wenlock Pottery

  phone: +44 1952 727600
  address: Shineton St, TF13 6HT
  If you want to spend some time inside, Wenlock Pottery offer you the chance to paint some ceramics and take them home. They also sell souvenirs.

Markets

Much Wenlock continues its market town heritage with many local markets. A list can be found here.

• Buttermarket

  address: Wilmore Street, TF13 6AD

• Fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables

Corn Exchange

address: 62 High Street, TF13 6AE

• Wenlock Country MarketsSells jams and preserves, along with bread and cakes.

• Craft MarketSells jewellery and trinkets.

The Square

address: TF13 6LX

• Cheese in the Square

Shops

Aside from the Barclay's bank and the Spar convenience store, most of Much Wenlock is made up of small independent businesses.

• Wenlock Books

  phone: +44 1952 727877
  address: 12 High St, TF13 6AA
  A superb independent bookshop with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

• Wenlock Deli

  phone: +44 1952 727429
  address: 11 High St, TF13 6AA
  Much Wenlock's own delicatessen has a large meat and cheese counter. They also sell olives, chutneys and local honey.

Much Wenlock is home to a selection of restaurants, pubs and inns. If you're willing to drive, nearby Telford has plenty of places to eat too.

Budget

• The Wenlock Smoothie

  phone: +44 1952 728000
  address: 4 The Square, TF13 6LX
  Café and smoothie shop with an interesting menu. Great for a break in the afternoon.

• Wah Lai

  phone: +44 1952 728043
  address: 7 High St, TF13 6AA
  This takeaway restaurant is proficient in English and Chinese food.

Mid-range

• Copper Kettle

  phone: +44 1952 728419
  address: 61 High St, TF13 6AE

• Bilash

  phone: +44 1952 728888
  address: 14a High St, TF13 6AA
  Indian restaurant and takeaway.

Splurge

Much Wenlock has few upmarket restaurants with À la carte menus.

• The Fox Inn

  phone: +44 1952 727292
  address: 46 High St, TF13 6AD

• The Raven Hotel

  phone: +44 1952 727251
  address: 30 Barrow St, TF13 6EN

• The George and Dragon

  phone: +44 1952 727312
  address: 2 High St, TF13 6AA
  Pet-friendly.

• The Talbot Inn

  phone: +44 1952 727077
  address: 13 High St, TF13 6EH

• The Gaskell Arms

  phone: +44 1952 727212
  address: A458, TF13 6AQ

Being a small town Much Wenlock's accommodation offerings are mostly pubs and B&Bs.

Budget

• The Fox Inn

  phone: +44 1952 727292
  address: 46 High St, TF13 6AD

• The Talbot Inn

  phone: +44 1952 727077
  address: High Street, TF13 6AA

• Wenlock Pottery B&B

  phone: +44 1952 727600
  address: Shineton Street, TF13 6HT
  Wenlock Pottery also offer budget accommodation that received 4 stars from the Shropshire Tourism board.

Mid-range

• The Gaskell Arms

  phone: +44 1952 727212
  address: A458, TF13 6AQ

• The Priory

  phone: +44 1952 728280
  address: Bull Ring Rd, TF13 6HS
  A self-catering annex with two en-suite bedrooms (1 double bed, 1 double bed and 1 single bed), a kitchen and living room. Has free Wi-Fi.

• 5 Wilmore Street B&B

  phone: +44 1952 727268
  address: 5 Wilmore St, TF13 6HR
  A small two-bedroom B&B.

Splurge

• The Raven Hotel

  phone: +44 1952 727251
  address: 30 Barrow St, TF13 6EN

Much Wenlock has a great 4G connection.
Wenlock Smoothie and Gaskell Arms have Wi-Fi.

• Much Wenlock Library

  phone: +44 1952 728293
  address: The Corn Exchange, 62 High St, TF13 6AE
  Has computers and Wi-Fi.

Much Wenlock is considered a safe town with little crime; the crime that does occur tends to be petty vandalism.
Visitors should stay out of the Shadwell Quarry and its water as it is unsafe.

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• Bridgnorth − Another beautiful market town.
• Church Stretton
• Ironbridge − A UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the world's first cast-iron bridge. Also hosts a plethora of museums dedicated to engineering and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution.
• Ludlow − Historic market town with a castle, known for its upmarket independent shops and gastronomic significance.
• Shrewsbury − Shropshire's county town.
• Telford − Shropshire's most populated town.