Nantwich, Cheshire
A small market town with a turbulent past
Nantwich is a small market town in the heart of rural Cheshire. Its rich history, wealth of pubs, restaurants, shops and numerous colourful events attract thousands of visitors every year.
The annual Battle of Nantwich is one such colourful event that sees the town thrown back to the 17th century for the day. Armed troops with guns, drums, swords, cannons and muskets march across the town to the newly adopted site of the famed battle that brought an end to the siege that had held a tight grip on the town for six long weeks.
Evidence of Nantwich's rich and often turbulent past is abundant throughout the town. As you walk the streets and take in the countless black and white buildings you get a real sense of life in Tudor England. Following the great fire of Nantwich in 1583 Queen Elizabeth I herself donated substantial funding and timber from the royal forest to help re-build the town. Beam Street, one of the town's primary roads, was renamed to reflect the fact that woodland timber was transported along it during this restoration.
In the years that followed the fire England would face threats both externally from Spain and internally from conspiracy, civil war and plague. When Queen Elizabeth died and so brought an end to the Tudor reign a great struggle emerged that saw increasing tension between English Catholics and the Protestant Aristocracy. Ultimately this unrest would fuel an increasing challenge to the throne of King Charles by the supporters of Parliament. As the English Civil War raged various battle sites around the country would see heated conflict between opposing forces. Nantwich playing host to one of the most dramatic of these battles.
These days Nantwich is seen as the perfect place to enjoy a wide range of pubs, restaurants, shops and places of interest such as Nantwich Museum and the impressive St. Mary's Church.
There are numerous coffee shops where you can sit and watch the world go by as well as a regular farmer's market on the town's central square.
Accomodation is plentiful as is car parking.
Getting to Nantwich
By Rail
Nantwich Station on National Rail Enquiries
Train journeys from the main station at Crewe take around 10 minutes and run approximately every 2 hours.
Trains from Whitchurch (Shropshire) take around 15 minutes and again run approximately every 2 hours.
Nantwich station is about 5 minutes walk from the centre of Nantwich.
By Bus
Numerous bus services operate in the Nantwich area. The journey from Crewe to Nantwich takes around 20 minutes. From Chester it takes around an hour.
For more information on bus routes to and from Nantwich visit the Arriva web site.
Nantwich bus station is a couple of minutes walk from the centre of town.
By Car
Getting to Nantwich by car couldn't be easier.
- Leave the M6 at junction 16 (Crewe) and travel West along the A500 until you reach a roundabout.
- Take the second exit and travel for a further 5 miles (crossing 2 roundabouts) until you reach another large roundabout.
- Take the second exit.
- At the traffic lights go straight ahead (right hand lane) and travel for a further half mile (crossing the railway line) until you reach Nantwich.
Where to stay
Nantwich is rich with hotels and B&B's.
We recommend you try the following:
Parking
Parking your car in Nantwich is simple but all car parks carry a charge.
Here is a list of public car parks:
- Snow Hill Postcode for your Sat.Nav CW5 5LS
- The Crown Postcode for your Sat.Nav CW5 5ST
- Hospital Street Postcode for your Sat.Nav CW5 5RL
- Pillory Street Postcode for your Sat.Nav CW5 5BH
- Nantwich Library Postcode for your Sat.Nav CW5 5NX
Eating and Drinking in Nantwich
There is no shortage of pubs and restaurants in Nantwich. All within a short walk of one another. Our recommendation is to book yourself in to a hotel and sample the town's fine range of CAMRA pubs and fine restaurants.
We recommend you try Residence (pictured left) but there are many others to choose from including: NatRaj Balti, Romazzino, Casa Italiana or Curshaws but there is much more on offer.
For a great pint in a traditional English pub why not try:
- The Boot and Shoe
- The Oddfellows Click for map.
A word from the landlords:"We are hoping to cater for more customers and speed up the service this time. We are going to be opening the beer garden and have a bar out there selling real ales. We shall be open from 9am on the Saturday the 23rd and will be providing breakfast baps and hot drinks. Also take away sandwichs and food will be be available all day hot food, burgers ,toasties ,fish & chips ,pies and much more."
Hazel & Peter Goude, The Oddfellows.
