Wem

Tucked into the flat, green farmland of north Shropshire, Wem is the kind of market town that rewards a slower pace. It grew up on the banks of the River Roden, midway between Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, and has kept the compact, unhurried feel of a place built around its Thursday market rather than passing traffic. Timber-framed cottages sit alongside Georgian brick fronts on the High Street, a legacy of rebuilding after a series of fires and skirmishes left their mark on the town over the centuries.

Wem's best-known claim to fame is a horticultural one: it was here, in 1887, that nurseryman Henry Eckford began breeding the sweet pea varieties that would make the flower a Victorian sensation, and the town still celebrates that legacy every summer. Beyond the town itself, the surrounding countryside is classic Shropshire dairy and arable land, threaded with quiet lanes, meres and mosses, and within easy reach of both the Shropshire Hills to the south and the Welsh border to the west.

Top things to do in Wem

Wem is a small town, but there is enough here to fill a relaxed day or two, especially combined with the wider North Shropshire countryside on its doorstep.

• Wem Town Hall — an striking Victorian building from 1904 that anchors the town centre and still hosts concerts, markets and community events.
• Wem Heritage Centre — a small museum housed in a former school, telling the story of the town through the great fires, its agricultural past and its wartime history.
• St Peter and St Paul's Church — a medieval parish church with a Norman doorway and a 15th-century tower, one of the oldest structures in Wem.
• Eckford Sweet Pea Show — held every July in honour of Henry Eckford, the Wem-based breeder who created the modern sweet pea, this remains a highlight of the town's calendar.
• Wem Jubilee Park — a green, family-friendly space close to the centre with room to walk, play and picnic.
• Wem Thursday Market — a market charter dating back to 1202 still shapes the rhythm of the town, with stalls setting up on the same day each week.
• Hawkstone Park Follies — around a 15-minute drive away, this dramatic 18th-century landscape garden of cliffs, caves and towers is one of Shropshire's most unusual attractions.

Getting to Wem

Wem sits just off the A49, roughly 10 miles north of Shrewsbury and 8 miles south of Whitchurch, making it an easy stop for anyone travelling between the West Midlands and the North West. Wem railway station, on the Cambrian Line, has direct services to Shrewsbury and on to Crewe, useful for arriving without a car. The nearest sizeable town, Shrewsbury, has fuller rail connections onward to Birmingham, Chester and Wales, and its bus and coach links extend out to the surrounding villages.

Best time to visit Wem

Late spring through summer is when Wem is at its best, with the sweet pea show in July drawing on the town's horticultural heritage and long evenings ideal for exploring the surrounding lanes and meres. Autumn brings a quieter, golden countryside good for walking, while the town's market keeps a steady rhythm year-round whatever the season.

Where to stay in Wem

Accommodation in and around Wem leans towards characterful bed and breakfasts and country guest houses rather than large hotels, in keeping with the town's small scale. Expect converted farmhouses, Georgian townhouses and rural retreats within a short drive, offering a homely alternative to chain hotels in nearby Shrewsbury.

Food and drink in Wem

The High Street is home to a handful of traditional pubs, including The Castle Hotel and The Old Post Office, alongside The White Lion for a more sport-and-ale atmosphere. Just outside town, The Old Rectory Hotel offers a well-stocked bar alongside its rooms. Beer drinkers should look out for Wem Brewing Company's cask ales, brewed locally and served across several of the town's pubs.