Nantwich

Nantwich is one of the best-preserved Tudor towns in England, its narrow streets lined with leaning, timber-framed buildings that survived a catastrophic fire in 1583 and were rebuilt in a burst of civic pride, with a personal donation from Elizabeth I towards the cost. The result is a market town centre that feels remarkably intact: jettied upper storeys, ornate black-and-white facades and a red sandstone parish church that has stood watch over the town square since the 14th century. Sitting on the River Weaver in the south of Cheshire, close to the Shropshire and Staffordshire borders, Nantwich has long been a crossing point and a market hub, and it still has that unhurried, well-kept small-town feel today.

The town's fortunes were built on salt. Nantwich sits on rich brine deposits that were exploited from Roman times right through to the 19th century, giving the town its name (a "wich" town, like nearby Northwich and Middlewich) and its wealth. That salt money paid for the fine Tudor buildings that make the town centre so distinctive now. Beyond the historic core, Nantwich is surrounded by the gently rolling dairy country of south Cheshire, with the Shropshire Union Canal threading along its eastern edge and the wider Cheshire countryside offering an easy, restful base for walking, cycling and boating holidays.

Top things to do in Nantwich

Nantwich rewards a slow wander, and its compact centre means most of the key sights are within easy walking distance of each other.

• Nantwich Museum — a free town museum on Pillory Street covering the story of Nantwich from Roman salt-making through the Great Fire of 1583, the Civil War Battle of Nantwich and the town's later shoe and clothing trades.
• St Mary's Church — a striking 14th-century red sandstone parish church, often called the "Cathedral of South Cheshire", with an octagonal tower and a beautifully carved medieval choir.
• Churche's Mansion — a superbly preserved timber-framed merchant's house dating from 1577, one of the few buildings in the town centre to survive the great fire, now used as a restaurant and function venue.
• The Square and High Street — the heart of the Tudor town, home to rows of black-and-white buildings including the historic Crown Hotel, plus independent shops, a traditional grocer and a well-loved cheese shop.
• Shropshire Union Canal — the Nantwich stretch of the "Shroppie" is a popular spot for a towpath walk or a short boat trip, with the canal crossing the Chester road on a cast-iron aqueduct just outside town.
• Nantwich Brine Pool — an open-air, naturally warmed swimming pool fed by the town's ancient salt springs, a quirky reminder of the industry that built Nantwich.
• Nantwich Food Festival — a major September event celebrating Cheshire produce, alongside the town's other annual highlights, the January Battle of Nantwich re-enactment and the Easter Jazz, Blues & Music Festival.

Getting to Nantwich

Nantwich sits just off the A51 and A529 in south Cheshire, a few miles south-west of Crewe and around 20 miles south-east of Chester. The town has its own railway station on the Crewe to Shrewsbury line, with regular services connecting to Crewe's main line station for fast trains to London, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond. By road, the M6 is close by via Crewe, making Nantwich an easy stop for anyone travelling between the Midlands and the North West. The compact town centre is best explored on foot once you arrive, with car parks a short walk from the main sights.

Best time to visit Nantwich

Nantwich is an appealing destination throughout the year thanks to its calendar of events. Late January brings the atmospheric Battle of Nantwich re-enactment, marking the 1644 Civil War battle fought in and around the town. Spring and early summer are ideal for exploring the surrounding Cheshire countryside and canal towpaths, while the Easter weekend Jazz, Blues & Music Festival fills the town's pubs and streets with live music. September's Nantwich Food Festival is one of the biggest dates in the town's calendar, celebrating local Cheshire cheese and produce. Outside of festival weekends, Nantwich is a peaceful, easy-going market town at any time of year, with its Tudor architecture looking particularly striking on a crisp winter morning or a warm summer evening.

Where to stay in Nantwich

Nantwich has a good spread of accommodation for a town of its size, from traditional inns in the town centre to countryside hotels and B&Bs just outside. The historic Crown Hotel, itself a fine Tudor building on the High Street, is one of the town's best-known places to stay, while a handful of independent guesthouses and farmhouse B&Bs sit within easy reach in the surrounding villages. For those touring the wider area, Nantwich makes a convenient base for exploring Chester, Crewe and the Cheshire countryside, with the canal network on the doorstep for anyone arriving by narrowboat.

Food and drink in Nantwich

Nantwich punches well above its weight for food and drink. Churche's Mansion, the town's beautifully preserved 1577 timber-framed house on Hospital Street, is now an award-winning restaurant and bar known for its fireplace-warmed dining room and seasonal British menu. The town centre has a good selection of independent cafes, traditional pubs and a well-regarded cheese shop reflecting Cheshire's dairy heritage, while the Nantwich Food Festival each September brings the county's best producers into the town for a weekend. Between the historic inns around The Square and the newer independent openings on Hospital Street and Beam Street, there is plenty to explore after a day of sightseeing.