Town Information
This page provides an overview of the towns within the
boundaries of Cheshire East. You can also find information about
specific town and parish councils. You
may also be interested in the Cheshire
Market Towns website which includes a lot of useful information
for visitors to the area.
Alderley Edge
A hamlet until the 1840s, is one of the earliest leafy
retreats in the world to be promoted by a railway company for
merchants - from Manchester twelve miles away! The village has
attractive Victorian houses and a pleasant shopping centre. There
are pleasant walks close to the sheer face of the Edge complete
with Arthurian Legends.
Alsager
A pleasant little town, principally a rural suburb that
provides easy access for people who work in the Potteries. Alsager
Mere is a beauty spot on the edge of the countryside.
- Alsager Tour Guide - A photographic
map guide of the city, with information on general interests, shops
and city life.
- Alsager Information -
details of the history and community of Astbury.
Astbury
Near Congleton, is a pretty village around a well-kept Green
that sports a springtime display of daffodils. The fine church,
dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries, is noted for its
detached tower and spire, carved oak roof and furnishings.
Audlem
On Cheshire's southern boundary is an ancient market town on the
River Weaver. The old Market House with its eight stone pillars is
a landmark, in front of the fine Decorated and Perpendicular church
with its noble tower.
- Audlem Online - Town and area
information.
- Audlem Information -
details of the history and community of Audlem.
- Audlem Mill - The Mill, known locally as Kingbur Mill, was built
around 1916. Nowadays provides craft events.
Bollington
Near Macclesfield is best known for cotton manufacture and the
massive railway viaduct. 'White Nancy' is a stone tower nearly
1,000 feet above sea level giving magnificent views across the
surrounding countryside. The Macclesfield Canal with adjoining
woodland offers attractive leisure opportunities.
- Bollington - visit the "Happy
Valley" site for maps, pubs and restaurants, local history,
organisations, businesses and artisans, and to learn about a local
heritage initiative.
- Bollingtion
Information - details of the history and community of
Bollington.
Bunbury
lies east of the central ridge, not far from Beeston Castle. The
village has a restored water-powered corn mill, and a splendid
Decorated and Perpendicular church containing important
monuments.
Buglawton
A township on the River Dane, near Congleton. With a rich
history dating back to Anglo Saxon times, Buglawton's main
historical trade was the textile industry with several local silk
mills in operation until the late 19th century. Today Buglawton
boasts a thriving and close knit community, with awards for floral
displays (for example Best Dressed Pub 2008 and Britain in Bloom
Neighbourhood Awards 2006) and many community activities,
including:
-
- Bear Town Classic Car Club
- Congleton Motorbike Club
- Cheshire Cross Motor Club
- Congleton Ramblers
- Astbury Vintage Restoration Society
- Congleton Anglers
- Congleton Fly Fishing Society
- Congleton Deep Sea Fishing Society
- American Car Society
- Buglawton in Bloom
- Buglawton Friendship Club
- Scouts and Cub Scouts
- Litter Picking Teams
- Bulb Planting with the schools around Buglawton
- Play are and football fields
- Community concerts at the Church House
- Buglawton in the Doomsday
book
Chelford
Situated between Macclesfield and Knutsford has a church dating
from 1776 although its west tower and spire are later. The box
pews, panelling, pulpit and gallery are all original. The village
is also the venue of one of Cheshire's best known cattle
markets.
Congleton
In the heart of the southeast Cheshire farmland, a market
town since the Middle Ages, Congleton remains a lively shopping
centre with historic buildings including delightful Elizabethan
pubs on its old main street. Mow Cop and closer at hand the Cloud
give magnificent views in all directions and have interesting rock
formations.
The borough Council of Congleton has now been superceded by
Cheshire East.
Crewe
Developed as a railway town and retains its importance today as
a major junction and centre for locomotive building and repair.
Added to this, Crewe is the home of Rolls Royce and many other
widely known companies. Extensive shopping and civic centres are
complemented by exceptional social and recreational facilities.
The 50 acre plus Queens Park is recognised as the finest in
the north.
The borough Council of Crewe has now been superceded by
Cheshire East.
Disley
Lies in the picturesque Goyt Valley, through which pass the Peak
Forest Canal and the road and railway from Manchester to Buxton.
The town's history can be traced back to the time when it was a
clearing in the Macclesfield Forest. The town centre and Buxton Old
Road are lined with historic buildings and monuments; elsewhere are
pleasant leafy suburbs.
Handforth
About 12 miles south of Manchester yet close to beautiful
Cheshire countryside Handforth is within 2 miles of the
tourist attraction of Quarry Bank Mill.
Holmes Chapel
Holmes Chapel is a large village with modern housing
developments. It is within easy reach of the motorway network
and popular with commuters. The village street has some 18th
century buildings. St Luke's Church, beside a little square on the
street, is a large 15th century oak frame church cased in brick
during the 18th century.
Knutsford
lies in the heart of Cheshire, yet within easy reach of
motorways and Manchester. A popular market and shopping centre for
the surrounding countryside, Knutsford has a pretty and interesting
main shopping street, King Street. The town has one of the oldest
May Day celebrations in England.
- Virtual Knutsford -
An interesting and informative local website which includes an
interactive town map and business section; information about what's
on, tourism, and history.
There's also a notice board and community pages.
Historical links include a memorial to novelist Elizabeth Gaskell,
whose book 'Cranford' chronicled Knutsford life during the
mid-1800s and Tatton Park, one of England's finest and most
complete country estates.
- Knutsford Information
- details of the history and community of Knutsford.
Macclesfield
Macclesfield became the centre of Britain's silk industry during
the Industrial Revolution. There are many attractive Georgian
mills, houses, inns, churches and chapels. West Park Museum has
impressive Egyptian exhibits and the Park itself is one of the
oldest in the country.
The town is the western gateway to the Peak District, with many
beautiful walks 'on its doorstep; Seven miles towards Buxton.
The borough Council of Macclesfield has now been superceded by
Cheshire East.
Middlewich
A salt town during the Roman and medieval periods. Historically
it is notable for finds of Stone Age tools, weapons and Roman
pottery.
The town is at the junction of the Trent and Mersey Canal with a
branch of the Shropshire Union Canal - a good centre for fishing,
boating and recreation amidst rich agricultural land. The historic
buildings in the town are mostly of brick. The sandstone parish
church is one of the three great 'salt churches' financed by
Cheshire's medieval brine-boiling salt industry.
- Middlewich Town Council -
Information about Middlewich and its Town Council.
- Middlewich Information -
Information resource for Middlewich that is endorsed by Middlewich
Town Council.
- Middlewich Vision - a
community led organisation working toward ensuring that Middlewich
are able to meet the needs of an ever changing local
community.
Mobberley
Nantwich
The place name means Renowned Works - during the early Middle
Ages Nantwich was the prime centre of England's salt industry. It
is now one of Cheshire's most picturesque market towns, rich in
black and white buildings.
The 14th century parish church at the town centre, cruciform with
octagonal tower and vaulted interior, is one of the three great
salt churches, and probably the most beautiful parish church in
Cheshire.
Pott Shrigley
Pott Shrigley is a pretty village north of Macclesfield,
which dates back to the fourteenth century.The town has enjoyed
uninterrupted education since the fifteenth century, Pott Shrigley
School being originally founded in 1492. The school is also allied
to St Christopher's church, originally a 15th century chapel, which
features a register of baptisms, marriages and burials which date
back to 1630.
- Pott Shrigley Parish
Council
Formed in 1354, it was originally titled Pott Shriggelegh - a term
which emanates from the Old English of scric and leah. Pott is an
old family name in the area and may have meant "pool" or "tarn" or
even "mine shaft" whereas Leah means a woodland clearing. Scric
refers to the grey backed shrike, a bird, which was found in the
woodland clearings of the Peak District.
- Pott Shrigley
Information - details of the history and community of Pott
Shrigley.
Poynton
Situated between the towns of Stockport in Greater
Manchester and Macclesfield in Cheshire. It is surrounded by farm
land but is within easy commuting distance of Manchester and the
motorway network.
- Poynton Web - A colourful
village website, featuring information on community, shopping,
leisure, businesses and more.
- Poynton Information
- details of the history and community of Poynton.
Prestbury
Near Macclesfield this village is widely known as one of the
most attractive villages in the northwest, with its 13th century
church and ancient buildings including the half timbered Priest's
House.
Rostherne
Rostherne is the pretty estate village of Tatton Park. The
church, dating from the 14th, 16th and 18th centuries, commands a
beautiful view over Rostherne Mere, the largest lake in Cheshire
and now a bird sanctuary.
Sandbach
Sandbach lies in South Cheshire's farmland. It is a thriving
market town with many historic buildings in Hightown, High Street
and the ancient Market Square. Sandbach is widely known for the two
Saxon crosses which stand in the square - carvings on the crosses
depict scenes from the life of Christ and probably, Saints
connected with the town.
- Sandbach Town Council - was
formed in 1974 in the then local government reorganisation as a
successor to the Sandbach Urban District Council.
- Sandbach Information -
details of the history and community of Sandbach.
Wilmslow
Wilmslow is a mainly residential town set in the countryside
close to Cheshire's boundary with Manchester. The town is popular
as a home for commuters travelling to that city, as is nearby
Handforth and is known throughout the Northwest for quality
shopping. Nearby Quarry Bank Mill, an authentic preserved 18th
century industrial community and Styal County Park offer secluded
woodland surroundings. Lindow Common is popular with
naturalists.