Congleton
Congleton is a historic market town in Cheshire East, North West England. As part of the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom competition, Congleton has been awarded gold medals in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022.
Understand
The town's tree planting as part of the Trees for Congleton project was entered in the ‘Green Solutions’ category of the digital national RHS Community Awards, being awarded 'Highly Commended'.
Congleton is in the valley of the River Dane. To the south of the town lies an expanse of green space known locally as Priesty Fields which forms a green corridor into the heart of the town, a rare feature in English towns. Legend says that Priesty Fields gained its name as there was no priest performing services within the town. The nearest priest was based at the nearby village Astbury. It is told that the priest would walk along an ancient medieval pathway which ran between the fields at the Parish Church in Astbury and St Peter's Church in Congleton.
History
The town's name is of unknown origin. The first recorded reference to it was in 1086 in the Domesday Book, where it is listed as Cogeltone: Bigot de Loges. In 1282 it was spelt Congelton. The element Congle might relate to the old Norse kang meaning a bend, followed by the Old English element tun meaning settlement.
Congleton became notorious in the 1620s when bear-baiting and cockfighting were popular sports. When the old bear became ill and died just before the Wakes, the town lacked the money to pay for a new, more aggressive bear. The town used money it had saved to buy a new bible and it replenished the fund with the income from the increased number of spectators. It became legend that Congleton sold its Bible to pay for a new bear, which earned Congleton the nickname 'Beartown'. The chorus of 20th-century folk song "Congleton Bear", by folk artist John Tams, runs:
- Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare
- Sold the Bible to buy a bear.
The principal industries in Congleton include the manufacture of airbags and golf balls. There are light engineering factories near the town, and sand extraction occurs on the Cheshire Plain. One of the most prominent industries during the nineteenth century onwards was Berisfords Ribbons, established in 1858. It was founded by Charles Berisford and his brothers Francis and William. The brothers leased part of Victoria Mill, on Foundry Bank, owning the entire factory by 1872. By 1898, the company had offices in London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol.
Visitor information
1 Congleton Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, High St, CW12 1BN (inside the Town Hall on the High Street), ☏ +44 1260 270350, info@congleton-tc.gov.uk. M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Sa 10:15AM-1:45PM. Visitor centre and gift shop for tickets to attractions and events, guides to Congleton and the surrounding area, and locally produced gifts and food and drink.
Get in
By car
Congleton is 7 mi (11 km) east of the M6 motorway, connected by the A534. It is on the A34 trunk road between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, and the A54 to Buxton and the Peak District. The A536 links the town with Macclesfield, with the A527 linking the town to Biddulph and providing an alternative route to Stoke-on-Trent.
By rail
1 Congleton Railway Station was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway on 9 October 1848 and is a 15-minute walk from the town centre. The line is part of the Stoke-on-Trent-Manchester Line of the West Coast Main Line, terminating in Manchester to the north and London Euston to the south. However only stopping services between Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent stop here. Its regular rail links make Congleton popular as a commuter belt town for Manchester and surrounding larger towns.
By boat
The Macclesfield Canal, completed in 1831, passes through the town. It runs 26 mi (42 km) from Marple Junction at Marple, where it joins the Upper Peak Forest Canal, southwards (through Bollington and Macclesfield), before arriving at Bosley. Having descended the 12 Bosley Locks over the course of about 1 mi (1.6 km), the canal continues through Congleton to a junction with the Hall Green Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Hall Green. The canal is renowned for its elegant roving bridges.
By plane
The nearest airport to the town is Manchester Airport, 20 miles (32 km) away.
Get around
Congleton is a relatively small and compact town so most attractions and amenities are within walking distance. The town centre is easily traversable by foot. Buses to suburbs and nearby towns depart from the bus station on Market Street.
Few places in Congleton are completely flat and some parts are rather steep, but every so often you’ll see a view of the hills that makes it all worth while.
See
- 1 Congleton Museum, Market Square, CW12 1ET (behind Congleton Town Hall, opposite the police station), ☏ +44 1260 276360, info@congletonmuseum.co.uk. M-Sa 10:30AM-4:15PM, Su noon-4:15PM. Congleton Museum was established in 2002 and is dedicated to Congleton's industrial history. Free entry.
- 2 Little Moreton Hall (on A34, 4 miles south of Congleton), ☏ +44 1260 272018, littlemoretonhall@nationaltrust.org.uk. Moated Tudor manor house owned by the National Trust. Adult £13.20, child £6.60, other tickets available. National Trust members free.
- Some of the painted bears from the 2011 Bearmania event can still be seen around the town
- Congleton Choral Society is a mixed voice choir which regularly performs choral works at Congleton Town Hall and other venues around the town.
- The Pearl of the Dane, also known as "The Congleton Steamboat", is a 60-foot steamboat moored and rotting at a specially designed quay near the riverside mill on the River Dane. The boat was a fishing trawler known as Limanda, built in Denmark in 1974, that took part in the Icelandic cod wars from its home port of Grimsby until it was decommissioned in 1994. It was found in a Holyhead boatyard by Cheshire businessman Joe Terry who bought it and had it transported to Congleton with the intention of transforming it into a seafood restaurant. The venture was not a success because of its location, menu and public opinion of Joe Terry, and while changing hands several times the boat has quietly continued to decay.
Do
Indoor
- 1 Castaway Play, 71 Moss Road, CW12 3BP, ☏ +44 1260 279881, help@castawayplay.co.uk. M-F 9:15AM-5PM Sa Su 9AM- 4:45PM. Castaway Play is a children's play centre which is divided into four uniquely themed areas, and a sensory room is available to book for an additional fee. £8.50 per person.
- 2 Clonter Opera Theatre, Trap Rd, CW12 2LR (Follow Rood Hill and turn left onto Giantswood Lane, then continue onto Trap Road, Clonter Opera Theatre is 1.5 miles along this road on the right hand side.), ☏ +44 1260 224514, boxoffice@clonter.org. Box Office: M W F 10AM-4PM Performance Days: 10AM-1PM. Based in the village of Swettenham Heath, 5 mi (8.0 km) north of Congleton, the theatre has a 400 seat auditorium, orchestra pit, undercover dining and rehearsal facilities. It is used for a range of events including opera, pantomimes, and music camps £16, free for 26-year-olds and under.
- 3 Daneside Theatre, Park Road. It is an independently run 300-seat theatre.
- 4 Victoria Mill Antiques and Collectors Centre, Foundry Bank, CW12 1EE (Victoria Mill Antiques and Collectors Centre is a 5-minute walk from the town centre, next to Congleton Leisure Centre), ☏ +44 1260 297838, gail@cheshiredemolition.co.uk. 10AM-4PM daily. Victoria Mill Antiques and Collectors Centre is located inside one of Congleton's historical mills. It offers 3 floors of antiques as well as its resident artists' studios and a cafe.
Outdoor
- 5 Astbury Mere Country Park. lies just to the south west of the town centre, on the site of a former sand quarry. The lake is used for fishing and sailing and despite its name, is actually in the West Heath area of Congleton, with the boundary between Congleton and Newbold Astbury parishes lying further to the south.
- 6 Biddulph Valley Way, CW12 1RG (The Biddulph Valley Way can be accessed by a small lay-by car park on A54 Brook Street.), ☏ +44 1477 534115, rangers@cheshireeast.gov.uk. The Biddulph Valley Way is a former railway line which has been turned into a path stretching 2 miles through Cheshire East and additional 4.5 miles through Staffordshire. It is part of Route 55 of the National Cycle Network and is very flat making it accessible for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Along the way parts have been made into reserves with smaller paths and walks off the main one such as the Macclesfield Canal or the Gritstone Trail. Lots of different features are used to encourage diverse wildlife, particularly the Dane-in-Shaw Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- 7 Cloudside Shooting Grounds, Red Ln, CW12 3QG, ☏ +44 1260 226392. W Th 11AM-4PM 5PM-8PM F 11AM-3PM 4PM-6PM Sa 11AM-3PM. Cloudside Shooting Grounds overlook rolling Cheshire countryside and the Peak District National Park, providing a variety of clay shooting disciplines including Compak Sporting. £39.
- 8 Congleton Paddling Pool, Park Road (next Daneside Theatre). May-Sep: W-Su 10AM–1PM and 2–5PM. built in the 1930s, the paddling pool is only open to families with children under 12 who book a seesion in advance. Booking for weekend sessions close at 10AM on Friday, midweek ones can be booked before 8AM the same day.
- 9 Congleton Park, CW12 1NS (Congleton Park is along the banks of the River Dane, just north-east of the town centre.), alken.solutions@ntlworld.com. Town Wood on the northern edge of the park is a Grade A Site of Biological Interest and contains many nationally important plants.
- 10 Glebe Farm, Peel Ln, CW12 4RQ, ☏ +44 1260 273916, mail@glebefarmastbury.co.uk. Daily 8:30AM - 6PM. Glebe Farm is in the nearby village of Astbury and is home to alpacas, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, horses and ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, and parakeets. There is a coffee shop, farm shop, butcher’s and fishmonger’s, as well as a variety of independently owned shops and businesses nestled in the farm’s barns and outbuildings. During the summer, a children’s play area and tractor rides are also available. free entry.
Markets and festivals
- 11 Congleton Market, Princess Street, CW12 1DB (in the town centre, just outside of the pedestrian area). Tu Sa Su 8AM-3PM. Originally established under a charter granted to the town in 1272 by the Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy, for a weekly market. The market has a variety of stalls, both indoor and outdoor, offering fresh produce, pet foods, accessory stalls and cafes, as well as a car boot on Sundays.
- The Makers Market is a showcase of food, drink, art and craft in Congleton town centre on the last Saturday of each month.
- There is an annual Christmas Market with a festive lights switch-on and parade in the town centre. It is usually cold and raining so a coat is recommended.
- The town also annually hosts a food and drink festival promoting locally sourced produce/cuisine.
- The Jazz and Blues Festival which showcases acts from across the UK is an annual event which typically takes place on the August bank holiday weekend. There is also a Congleton Unplugged festival earlier in the year featuring acoustic music.
- Since 2019, Congleton has held an annual LGBTQ+ Pride event.
Buy
As of December 2022, Congleton has more than 90 shops, 85 service businesses and 50 places to eat and drink in the town centre. Not many British chain stores have outlets here but there are plenty of small, independent shops.
Eat
Congleton has a great selection of independent eateries. The Capital Walk is in the centre of the town and houses several restaurants serving a diverse array of cuisines.
Eat in
- 1 Bear Grills, Market Street, CW12 1BP (near the bus station outside the library), ☏ +44 1260 400160, beargrillscafe13@gmail.com. M 8:30AM-2:30PM, F-Su 8:30AM-2:30PM. With a supermarket, two car parks, the town's bus station, library and market all within a stone's throw, convenience is an attraction of this family-run cafe. Hot, value-for-money breakfast and lunch is served here. £4-8.
- 2 Brownlow Inn, Brownlow Heath Lane, CW12 4TH (follow the A34 south until you reach Child's Lane), ☏ +44 1477 500281, reservations@brownlowinn.co.uk. Daily noon-9PM. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with wheelchair accessibility and table service, vegan and gluten free options are available £14-20.
- 3 Four Friends Tibetan Restaurant, 14 Mill Street, CW12 1AB (down from corner of West Street and Wagg Street in town centre), ☏ +44 1260 277655, fourfriendstibet@gmail.com. Tu 5:30-10PM, W-Sa noon-2:30PM and 5:30-10PM, Su 5:30-10PM. Small restaurant set in a welcoming and cozy atmosphere, offering homemade Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine with gluten free and vegan options available. There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as takeout or table service. £6-12.
- 4 Wild & Wild, 2 Bridge Street, CW12 1AY (a short walk from Town Hall along High Street), ☏ +44 1260 409327, april@wildandwild.co.uk. M 9AM-5PM, W-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM. With a history as a butchers, No. 2 Bridge Street used to trade from the basement level where the original Butcher’s Block still stands today. Since appearing on BBC’s Homes Under The Hammer in 2018, the building has been transformed into a plant-based coffeehouse and kitchen, with an entirely vegan menu. £6-12.
- Indian Spice, 64 High Street, CW12 1BA, ☏ +44 1260 591542. M-Sa 5:30-10:30PM. £7-13.
Takeaway
The Congleton Eats app allows for online ordering from the majority of takeaway restaurants in the Congleton area.
- 5 Top Nosh, 71 West Street, CW12 1JY (opposite the cricket club), ☏ +44 1260 275 885, topnosh@rocketmail.com. M-Sa 6AM-2PM (closed Su). Hot breakfast and lunch is available, with vegetarian and gluten-free options £3-5.
- 6 Yuntai House, 2 Swan Street, CW12 4BW, ☏ +44 1260 271813, yuntaihouse@gmail.com. M Tu Th Su 5-10PM, F Sa 5-10:30PM. £7-12.
- Valleys Fast Food, 32 High Street, CW12 1BD, ☏ +44 1260 270606. M-Th Su 4:30PM-midnight, F 4:30PM-2AM, Sa 4:30PM-4AM. £4-7.
- Sizzlers, 8 High Street, CW12 1BL, ☏ +44 1260 295295. M W Th Su 4:30PM-12:30AM, F-Sa 4:30PM-1:30AM. £5-8.
Drink
- 1 BarleyHops, 29 High Street, CW12 1BG, ☏ +44 1260 295247. M Tu closed, W Th 3-9PM, F 2-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su 2-8PM.
- 2 Beartown Tap, ☏ +44 1260 270775. M closed, Tu-Th 4-11PM, F Sa 2PM-midnight, Su 2-10PM. Brewery Tap for nearby Beartown Brewery. Choice of real ales. Pizza & pint night on Tuesday and various street food on Friday.
- 3 DV8 Bar Congleton, 6 Little Street,CW12 1AR (on Little Street just off the corner of West Street and Wagg Street in town centre), ☏ +44 1260 278553. M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Set in a grade II Tudor listed building, DV8 offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere mixing historic architecture with contemporary detail. Food is available with vegan and gluten free options as well as free Wi-Fi, live music and outdoor seating £7-13.
- 4 The Lord Mountbatten, 70 Mill Street, CW12 1AG (from the traffic lights between Rood Lane and Clayton Bypass, drive down the bank on Rood Hill until you reach the roundabout; take the 3rd exit, Mill Street, The Lord Mountbatten is on your right), ☏ +44 7811 199902, mikep.mp46@gmail.com. M-Th 4PM-midnight, F-Su noon-midnight. Real ale from constantly changing micro-breweries, traditional pub games, sports tv, smoking area, garden. £4.
- 5 Prince of Wales, ☏ +44 1260 280714. M-Th 4-11PM, F 2-11PM, Sa 1-11PM, Su 1-10PM. Attractive pub owned by Joules Brewery. Outside tables to rear.
- 6 The Queens Head, Park Lane, CW12 3DE. (across road from railway station), ☏ +44 1260 272546. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10:30PM. Pub with with large outdoor area. Meals served till 8:30PM.
- 7 Rumba Tiki Lounge, 6-8 Swan Bank, CW12 1AH (down from corner of West Street and Wagg Street in town centre), ☏ +44 1260 400101, info@rumbabar.co.uk. W Th 4PM-midnight, F 4PM-1AM, Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-midnight. Tropical theme, serves food. £15.
Sleep
- 1 Lion and Swan Hotel, Swan Bank, CW12 1AH (corner of West Street and Wagg Street in town centre), ☏ +44 1260 211211, info@lionandswan.co.uk. Check-in: after 2:30PM, check-out: before 11AM. Refurbished interior, free Wi-Fi and parking, breakfast included from restaurant/bar, fully refundable, reserve now pay later. £115.
- 2 The Plough Inn, Macclesfield Road Eaton, CW12 2NH (follow the A34 Rood Hill north until the A536 Macclesfield Road), ☏ +44 1260 280 207, enquiries@theploughinncheshire.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Grade II listed building, free Wi-Fi, free parking, breakfast included, free cancellation. £76.
Connect
As of June 2023, Congleton has 4G from EE and O2, and 5G from Vodafone and Three.
Go next
If you haven't come from there, Manchester, England's second largest city, is a short distance to the north. Perceived by those who've not visited as a dismal post-industrial wasteland, whereas the reasons to visit—clubs, restaurants, shopping, museums—are too numerous for even a short list here to do the place justice.
Off to the east is the Peak District. After taking in the splendid scenery and trekking to your heart's content, either camping out overnight or staying in Buxton, you might want to continue on to Sheffield, another post-industrial Northern city with more to offer than that description suggests.
West of Congleton one eventually gets to Chester, with its quaint medieval architecture and walls. It's an excellent stopover for travellers heading into Wales, a short distance away.
Almost as close to Congleton to the south as Manchester is to the north is Stoke-on-Trent. Once home to a thriving pottery industry it is now a destination with museums and gardens and a thick streak of local pride.
Smaller towns in the area include Macclesfield, Leek, Wilmslow and Knutsford.
| Routes through Congleton |
| Central Manchester ← Wilmslow ← | N  S |
→ Stoke-on-Trent |