Market Drayton
Market Drayton is a town located in the north of the county of Shropshire in the West Midlands area of England. As its name suggests this is a market town and it lies on the Shropshire Union Canal which traverses through the town itself.
Market Drayton has had various names during the ages. For many centuries it was simply referred to as Drayton and the Victorians changed the name at some point to Drayton in Hales. It is thought that the first settlers in the area were Saxons.
The town has had market status since the mid 1200s and also has strong agricultural links. In the 1400s Blore Heath was the scene of one of the major battles in the Wars of the Roses where the Earl of Salisbury fought and defeated Lord Audley. Salisbury hill on this site was named after Lord Salisbury as it was his base camp during the battle. The first grammar school in the town was established in the mid 1550s.
In the 16th century the town suffered from a significant fire which is thought to have razed most of its buildings to the ground. Market Drayton is known by many people as one of the most famous gingerbread making towns. It is thought that the local type of gingerbread has been made here since the late 1700s and gingerbread is still produced in the town by the Image on Food company. To eat real Market Drayton gingerbread it should be made with rum and dipped in port before you eat it according to some people!
Visitors to Market Drayton can get a lot of pleasure from simply walking round the town and looking at the numerous buildings in the centre that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The town also has a Norman church that is often of interest (St Mary’s) and a grammar school that dates back to the mid 1550s. The town’s market is still in evidence today in the old marketplace.
There are a variety of Neolithic standing stones near the town and the Blore Heath battle site. The town’s aqueduct, which was designed by Thomas Telford, is also worth a visit. And, Fordhall Farm, which is just outside Market Drayton is a fine example of an organic farm with a farm shop and a walk that also takes in the remains of a local motte and bailey castle.
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