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 Much
Wenlock
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Much Wenlock,
lying at the north-eastern end of Wenlock Edge, is one of
the oldest settlements in the Shropshire.
The small market town grew up
around a monastery, founded in 680 AD by Merwalt, King of
Mercia. It continued to prosper as Wenlock Priory grew in
fame and importance.
Today the attractive town is
a mix of medieval buildings, bustling narrow streets and specialist
shops.
Much Wenlock is almost untouched
by modern development and there is even a working farmyard
at its centre.
The best known building is the
splendid timber-framed Guildhall, dating from 1577, still
used for Town Council meetings.
Wenlock Priory, dissoloved by
Henry VIII in 1540, sustained damage during the Civil War
and was later pilaged for building materials. The evocative
ruins of the 12th century priory, at the heart of the town,
are now surrounded by gardens with striking topiary.
Dr William Penny-Brookes (1809
- 1895), founder of the modern Olympics, was born in Much
Wenlock. The Wenlock Olympian Society held its first games
in the town in 1858. The Society's concept was quickly adopted
and developed across the world and as a result the first international
Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Much Wenlock still
organises its own Olympics every July.
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Map of Much Wenlock |
What
To See -
Much Wenlock Tourist Attractions
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 Much
Wenlock Museum, High Street, Much Wenlock, a small museum
showing the history of one of Shropshire's oldest towns. Artifacts
from the Wenlock Olympian Society and information about the
geology of Wenlock Edge. Open Easter-Sept: Mon-Sat 10:30-13:00,
14:00-17:00. During Jun, Jul and Aug open 7 days a week. Groups
by appointment only during Oct-Apr Tel 01952 727773 |
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Wenlock
Priory, The Bull Ring,
Much Wenlock, TF13 6HS, a religious site for over 13 centuries. Merwalt
King of Mercia established a religious house here in 680 AD
in 1101, during the rebuilding work, the Cluniac monks uncovered
the bones of St Milburga. A shrine was built and the Priory
became a place of pilgrimage. Following Henry VIII's Dissolution
of the Monasteries, the priory was closed and the estates
sold off. More damage was sustained during the Civil War. Now
the ruins, at the centre of the town, are surrounded by gardens
featuring topiary. Highlights include the Chapter House, with
its patterned interlaced arches, and a lavebo where up to
16 monks could wash their hands before meals.
Open: all year: Nov-Feb: 10:00-16:00 Fri-Sun. Closed 25-26
Dec, 1 Jan; Mar-May: Mon & Thur-Sun 10:00-17:00; Jun-Aug:
Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00; Sept-Oct: Mon & Thur-Sun 10:00-17:00
Tel: 01952 727466 
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Buildwas
Abbey, 3 miles NE on A4169,
2 miles west of Ironbridge, this ruined abbey lies on the
south bank of the River Severn.One of the oldest Circercian
monasteries in England, the Abbey was founded in 1135 by Roger
de Clinton, Crusader Bishop of Chester. In 1536 it was disolved
by Henry VIII. The partly demolished buildings were granted
to Edward Grey, Lord Powis, and the Abbot's residence was
converted to form part of a country house. By the 19th century
this was reduced to no more than a farmhouse. Although roofless,
the abbey buildings have survived and are well-preserved.
The site is dwarfed by the cooling towers of a power station.
Open: 24th Mar-May & Sept: Mon & Thu-Sun 10.00-17:00
; Jun-Aug: Mon-Sun 10.00-18:00 Tel: 01952 433274
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Acton
Burnell Castle,
north-west, off A49, the
Burnell family held the manor in Shropshire for a hundred
years and it became a grand estate.In 1420 the male line of
the Burnell family died out and the castle was abandoned. 
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Preen
Manor Gardens, Church
Preen, Church Stretton, SY6 7LQ, 6 miles south-west of Much
Wenlock, a Cluniac monastery
was established here in 1150, the
6 acre garden has been created amongst the ruined walls of
the monastery and the ruins of a Norman Shaw manor. Features a yew tree, said to be
the oldest in EuropeOpen: Limited
opening as part of National Gardens Scheme see www.ngs.org.uk
Tel: 01694 771207
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Benthall
Hall, Broseley,
TF12 5RX , in Benthall, 1 mile north-west of Broseley on B4375,
1 mile south-west of Ironbridge. Owned by the National Trust,
the Hall a 16th century stone house with a charming old garden.Once
the home of George Maw, one of England's foremost botanists
and plant collectors,who filled the garden with the rare bulbs
and alpines he brought back from plant-hunting expeditions. Open:
2005: House :27/28 Mar: 29Mar-29Jun: Tue & Wed; 3Jul-28Sept:
Tue,Wed,Sun; Times:14:00-17:30 Garden: 27Mar-29Jun: Tue &
Wed; 3Jul-28Sept: Tue,Wed,Sun; Times:14:00-17:30 Tel:
01952 882159
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Wilderhope
Manor, Longville,
Much Wenlock, TF13 6EG, 8
miles south-west of Much Wenlock, off B4371 on the south slope
of Wenlock Edge, deep in the remote, wooded Shropshire countryside. The
house was built in around 1586 for Francis and Ellen Smallman
who lived there until 1599. The manor house is typical
of many country mansions of its time but it is exceptional in
its unaltered, well-preserved condition.Currently the Manor
is used as a Youth Hostel.Open: 3Apr-28Sept: Wed
& Sun 14:00-16:30; 2Oct-26Mar: Sun 14:00-16:30 Tel:
0870 770 6090 (Hostel Warden)
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Benthall
Hall, Broseley,
TF12 5RX, 3 miles north-east
of Much Wenlock, off B4375, a fine example of a late 16th century
country house, built on the site of an older dwelling by the
Benthall family in around 1580. The exterior of the house
has changed little, and features hiding places for priests,
panelling, and 17th century furniture. Sheltered garden. Open 2005 :
27Mar–28Mar: 14:00-17:30; 29Mar-29Jun: Tue & Wed14:00-17:30;
3Jul-28Sep: 14:00-17:30; Open Bank Holiday Sundays & Mondays
Tel: 01952 882159
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Shipton
Hall, Shipton
Shropshire TF13 6JZ,
6 miles south-west of Much Wenlock on B4378, an
Elizabethan manor house - built around 1587 by Richard Lutwyche.At the end of the 19th century
it passed to the great-grandfather of the present owner.The
house is still a comfortable family home.Features
unusual off-centre tower tower,
circular dovecote, stable block,
interior reflecting the taste of the 18th century.Open:
27Mar-30Sep, Thu, Bank Hol Sun, Mon, 14:30-17:30 Tel: 01746
785225
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Where
To Stay in Much Wenlock
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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Around
The Much Wenlock Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Broseley (3.46 miles) Ironbridge (3.79 miles) Bridgnorth (7.18 miles) Telford (7.26 miles) Shifnal (9.23 miles) Shrewsbury (11.09 miles) Church Stretton (11.11 miles) Perton (14.93 miles) Craven Arms (15.76 miles) Ludlow (17.08 miles) Kinver (17.35 miles) |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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