Overview

Disappointing. Nantwich itself seems to be a nice area, respectable housing, lots of green areas, but not quite as good as we were hoping the town centre would be. Yes, there are a few black and white framed grade 11 buildings, a few uninspiring Georgian grade 11 buildings tucked around here and there, but nothing to give us that “oh” feeling. But it gave us half an hour viewing, so suppose that will satisfy us for now. Our photos will help you decide what you feel, but they do incline to make things look better than they are. HISTORY This market town is in Cheshire, dating back to Roman times, becoming famous for its Salt production. In the Doomsday book, it is recorded that they had seven salt houses here, it’s peak then reached 400 salt houses in 1530. It’s name is taken from “Nant” which is welsh word for stream or brook. “Wich” is a name used for springs or wells. By the 1300’s it is known that a weekly market was being held here, at the end of Beam street. A fire in December 1583 distroyed most of the town to the east, then Queen Elizabeth 1st contributed funds for rebuilding work, and Beam street was again named as such. Nantwich has one of the largest collections of historical buildings in Cheshire, just behind Chester, the oldest being St Mary’s church, dating from 1300’s and now a grade 1 listed building, while two other listed buildings , built before the fire in 1583, are both timber framed Elizabethian buildings. Nantwich is quite compact, and what you need to see can be done with a quick trip around the centre, and a short car drive along narrow streets to save carer pushing you around for to long. We have put together a quick trip you may like to follow, the first part being a short walk around High street, then a drive along other streets where you can see many other listed buildings. START AT NANTWICH CAR PARK. SAT NAV. CW5 5LS. Snowhill car park, on Wall Street. There are just five disabled bays (photo 1) and alongside the long wall at end of car park you will ride down the alley (photo 2) which will take you straight away to the shops (photo 3) then head to right, cross over dual street and TURN LEFT and walk along High street (photo 4) and you will see a number of delightful graded buildings. (photos 5 and 6). Over to your left you will see St Mary’s church, so walk down alongside the buildings to go and see this old church. (photo 7). Turn left, then left again and you are back towards the car park. To continue with our suggested trip, follow our drive. SAT NAV. CW5 5BL. Pillory street The drive takes you round town to reach pillory street, which is narrow and a one way route, passing just a few grade 11 buildings, mainly little cottages (photo 8) and then follow this round the bend to now drive along Hospital street, and a few more medieval buildings can be seen. (photos 9 to 12). Although both these streets are narrow, we still found spaces to pull in and take photos, and if you wanted to pop into a shop or two. This short trip will let you see all you need to see. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS Worth seeing, we enjoyed our quick visit, but it was not all that inspiring, I don’t know why, there was not as many places we were hoping for, but a pleasant enough trip. When visiting Cheshire, why not take in Nantwich, then drive round a few miles to ROOKERY HALL HOTEL for lunch or afternoon tea, ( READ OUR REVIEW FOR ROOKERY HALL HOTEL ) and look around this delightful hall and gardens, then take a half hour drive to Chester itself, and spend the rest of your day enjoying the old streets and many shops.

Transport & Parking

The drive into Nantwich was ok, you pass respectable housing, lots of green areas, and Our chosen car park is ideal, close enough for you to have a short ride around centre to see it all.

Access

From car park it is not to difficult to get around, a bit bumpy from parking along a narrow alley, but you are quickly into town. Turn left, and there a few shops you may want to pop into for bargains. The town area itself could do with some work being down to make it a bit more wheelchair friendly, but picking your way round will help you. It’s mainly a flat town, and your carer should cope for you.

Toilets

We did not see any, but cafes and shops may help you.

Staff

Photos