Much Wenlock |
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Much Wenlock
Welcome to Much Wenlock,
the home of the modern Olympics - no! We're not kidding!
 Much Wenlock |
 Much Wenlock High Street |
 Much Wenlock Olympics |
 Much Wenlock Olympics |
In 1850 Local G.P. Dr William Penny-Brookes (1809 - 1895), who introduced physical education into British schools, inspired the fore-runner of the modern Olympic Games for the "promotion of moral, physical and intellectual improvement" and although the Game's venue is now decided by international committee rather than by by the parish council, we still hold our own Olympics here in protest every July - the other Olympics are also doing quite well too!
"The old womans" race for a pound of tea may yet be re-introduced as an olympic sport.
William Penny Brookes vision for the Olympic Games is hailed as one of modern sports greatest achievements. Of course, Baron de Coubertain was inspired to create the global event after a visit to the games in Much Wenlock.
Coubertain discussed how the Wenlock games might be translated on to a bigger, international stage.
The influential and wealthy Frenchman was suitably inspired and shared Brookes' dream of a modern, international games. The first games of the modern Olympics took place in Athens in 1896.
Juan Antonio Samaranch, then president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), visited Much Wenlock in 1994 and laid a wreath at Brookes' grave.
"I came to pay homage and tribute to dr Brookes, who really was the founder of the modern Olympic Games."
Sadly the good doctor Brookes died in 1895 aged 87, just four months before the modern Olympic Games were started in Athens in April 1896. He was a tireless campaigner and altogether good egg, he will not be forgotten. However, the full story can be found in the Much Wenlock Museum, along with the history of the town and other information on the unique geology of the Wenlock Edge.
Apart from the Olympics, Much Wenlock also hosts Tales from the Edge, the world-famous international storytelling festival.
This medieval market town lies on the Northeast end of Wenlock Edge, on the way to Ironbridge from Bridgnorth.
Much Wenlock is a rustic 700 year old
medieval market town filled with a patchwork of twisting streets,
black and white half timbered buildings, limestone cottages,
specialty
shops, numerous hostelries and watering holes and the
remains of a magnificent 12th Century Priory.
The Priory, dedicated to its first abbess, St Milburga, forms
a backdrop to many outdoor events
and theatrical performances including the Tales from the Edge
Festival which helps keep the ancient art of story telling
alive, whilst the covered 16th century Guildhall (you won't
believe this) with its overhanging first floor held up by
stout oak pillars, was pre-fabricated and raised in two days
in 1577! Today it hosts regular
antiques markets.
One of the Guildhall's pillars was the towns whipping post, and still carries the iron staples that would have been used to tie to prisoners wrists.
Much Wenlock's Holy Trinity Church is Norman and has a battlemented tower and Jacobean pulpit with carved panels, depicting, rather oddly, some two-tailed mermen.
In High Street, you’ll find Wenlock Books, recently named as the ‘Independent Bookseller of the Year’ in the 2006 British Book Awards. Stocking a whole host of books and book related accessories from fiction to non-fiction, art, reference and children’s books, Much Wenlock is the place to go for a good read and by all accounts a really warm welcome.
In Shenton street, you'll find the Old Gaolhouse, which was a 18th century prison and the 17th century manor house. St Owens Well in Queens Street is the only cruck-framed building in the town and is dedicated to the 6th century Welsh saint.
Above the town rises the Wenlock Edge which provides glorious views. This 15 mile limestone escarpment was created when Shropshire could be found just south of the equator - some 400 million years ago. Looked after by the National Trust, The Edge and its ancient woodlands are excellent for walks, cycling and riding. Long distance routes like the Jack Mytton Way and Shropshire Way pass over Wenlock Edge.
Nearby are : Benthall Hall - a 16th Century house with stunning interior and carefully restored plantsman's garden and Broseley Pipe Works, a Victorian clay tobacco pipe works, - get your very own Churchwarden.
For more information on Much Wenlock
contact the Tourist
Information Centre
If you would like to visit Much Wenlock and need accommodation
and are interested in finding the best hotel,
guest
house, bed
and breakfast or self
catering property, please click here.
For more information about the Much wenlock Olympic Games, please visit www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
Much Wenlock Accommodation Search
Request a Brochure
The Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock & Severn Valley Visitor Guide offers a printed alternative to the information contained on this website. We would be happy to send a copy if this would be useful to you.
Click the link to Request a Bridgnorth Brochure.
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