NANTWICH
Nantwich is a charming market town set beside the River Weaver
with a medieval street pattern, a beautiful sandstone church and
many listed buildings of great historical interest. The town has an
all-pervading sense of history. The focal point is "The
Square" which is the setting for St Mary's Church, known as the
"Cathedral of South Cheshire". One of the finest medieval churches
in Britain, it has many interesting features and its own visitor
centre. Surrounding the church are narrow winding streets
with many Grade I Listed timber-framed buildings.
Churche's Mansion in Hospital Street is a charming
half-timbered Elizabethan merchant's house built in 1577 which
survived the Great Fire. Also in Hospital Street is
Sweetbriar Hall, which is Nantwich's oldest surviving wattle and
daub building.
Welsh Row and Wood Street are probably the oldest parts of the
town as they escaped the Great Fire. Welsh Row has many fine
buildings including Townwell House, an early Georgian town
house. The Widows' Almhouses, originally three cottages built
in 1637 is soon to re-open as an exclusive wine bar and
restaurant. At the end of Churchyardside are the elegant
Dysart Buildings, a well proportioned terrace of Georgian houses
built in 1776.
The Queen's Aid House in High Street is a medieval merchant's
house built in 1584 by Thomas Cleese. An inscription on the
paneling records the support of Queen Elizabeth I in the rebuilding
of the town after the Great Fire. Also in High Street is the Crown
Hotel which was built in 1585 soon after the Great Fire and has a
timber-framed front elevation with a long continuous second storey
window.
Salt is no longer produced in Nantwich, but The Old Biot the
original salt spring with its many therapeutic uses is preserved,
and provides brine for the outdoor swimming pool during summer
months.
The town has its own museum which provides an exciting insight
into the life and times of Nantwich and has a special "Cheshire
Cheese" room showing how cheese was and is made. There are pleasant
walks around the River Weaver, the Shropshire Union Canal and
Nantwich Lake including picnic areas. Guided tours of the
town can be arranged by contacting the Tourist Information Centre
in The Square, Nantwich where a "Walkabout Tour" leaflet is on
sale.
Recent developments include the "Cocoa Yard", a shopping and
residential area on the former Cocoa House site, and two large
superstores.
In recent years the council has provided street entertainment
and the town has hosted a popular Jazz and Blues Festival. The town
holds a traditional market throughout the year on Tuesday mornings,
Thursdays and Saturdays. 2002 saw the successful staging of
the first Nantwich Local Food Festival in and around the town
centre.