Area Guide

Nantwich is a thriving market town, famous for its fabulous shops, excellent restaurants, thriving pub scene and numerous black and white timbered medieval buildings. The oldest building in the town is St Mary's Church, which dates from the 14th century, and is know locally as the 'Cathedral of South Cheshire.' 

The town is a haven for foodies and has a number of independent retailers offering high quality, locally sourced produce. South Cheshire is renowned for its cheese production, and each year Nantwich hosts both the International Cheese Awards and the Nantwich Food and Drink festival.

Nantwich is surrounded by attractive villages such as Audlem and Bunbury, as well as being located near to industrial powerhouse of Crewe, famed during the 19th century as one of the world's greatest railway workshops.

There's plenty to see and do in Nantwich and South Cheshire, from secret underground nuclear bunkers, outdoor brine pools and  historic estates, to gorgeous garden centres, scenic waterways and even a zoo.

Nantwich and South Cheshire also boast a thriving events calendar, hosting everything from the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power and the Wrenbury Scarecrow Festival, to the more outlandish World Worming Charming Championships in Willaston and the Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes (which involves racing fig pies down a hill!)

Nantwich also hosts Holly Holy Day, a re-enactment of the Battle of Nantwich, in which the townspeople celebrate the relief of the Parliamentarian town from besiegement of the Royalist Army during the Civil War. The town is filled with Roundheads, Cavaliers, camp followers, fire eaters and other entertainers of the period, and is festive atmopshere fills the streets.

Ten things you didn't know about Nantwich and South Cheshire...

• South Cheshire boasts a number of famous faces, including world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle and UCI BMX world champion cyclist Shanaze Reade.

• Combermere Abbey  was established in 1133 as a Cisterian monastery, and following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in l1536, then became home to the Cotton family.

• The Crown Hotel in Nantwich is a Grade II listed building and has been a feature of the town for over 400 years. The building was burnt down in the fire of Nantwich in 1583 and was rebuilt by Queen Elizabeth, with timbers from Delamere Forest.

• Bentley Motors was founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley. Since 1946 Bentley have been based in Crewe and employ over 4000 people worldwide.

• Bridgemere Garden World is Britain’s largest and most spectacular garden   centre, and was established over 50 years ago by John Ravenscroft. The Garden Wolrd had humble origins as a rose nursery staffed solely by John, but it now covers 50 acres and is one of the largest garden centres in the world.

• Crewe Hall is a Garde I listed Jacobean mansion located to the East of Crewe. It was built in 1615 for Sir Randolph Crewe and was one of the country's largest 17th century houses, said to have brought 'London to Cheshire.'

• Cholmondley Pageant of Power is a celebration of all things speedy on land, air and sea. Now in its fourth successful year, the 2011 Pageant featured machinery with a combined value of over £500million, hosting more than 1,200 cars on static display, while 175 racing cars and bikes tackled 2,550 laps of the Cholmondeley circuit.

• South View Equestrian Centre in Wettenhall is home to a number of internationakl equestrian events, including the Classic Showjumping event. The event attracts top riders from all over the world to take part in a three day program. With in excess of £100,000 prize money at stake, the event has a world ranking class each day ending with the British Masters on the final day.

•  Hack Green  is a former government owned nuclear bunker, which started life as a ground controlled intercept radar station during World War II.  Following World War II, it was decided to that Hack Green would be part of a network of secret bunkers that would detect and repel potential attacks by Soviet forces during the Cold War. The bunker is now open to the general public and offers a fascinating insight into the Cold War period.

• Nantwich outdoor brine pool is one of the few remaining inland brine pools in Britain, and is the largest swimming pool in the area. The outdoor pool first opened in 1935, and the water temperature is maintained at a pleasant 74°F.