Congleton Area Guide
Living in Congleton
The pretty market town of Congleton, nestling at the foothills of the Pennines, is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.
Wildlife flocks to it, attracted by the River Dane, and its residents are renowned for being friendly and warm.
Congleton offers some fabulous schools and is ideally situated for commuters with easy access to the M6 motorway, other parts of Cheshire and the Staffordshire border.
History
Congleton, sometimes known as ‘Beartown’, according to a legend dating back to when bear-baiting was a sport, is steeped in history. Little Moreton Hall, a Tudor mansion now owned by the National Trust, has been used for filming many period dramas (most notably Moll Flanders) and Gawsworth Hall, still a privately owned residence, is a superb example of traditional Cheshire black and white architecture.
Outside Spaces
Congleton Park, with its 25 acres, offers stunning floral displays and ornamental lawn areas, paddling pool and large play area for children, a bowling green and a pavilion. It plays host to many public events throughout the year such as a carnival, a teddy bears’ picnic and a fireworks display. During the warmer months, Congleton also welcomes boaters passing through on the Macclesfield Canal.
Property in Congleton
Property prices in Congleton have remained affordable, despite the area’s popularity. There is a good mix of property available in the town, from huge family homes costing well over £1 million, to modestly priced properties below the £100,000 mark, perfectly suited to first-time buyers. The modern development of apartments and duplexes at Lime Wharf attracts city centre commuters in particular.
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Transport
Buses run from Congleton to most of the surrounding areas, including Nantwich, Sandbach and Macclesfield as well as Biddulph, Kidsgrove and Crewe. Trains also run regularly from Congleton station to Manchester City Centre and towards Stoke-on-Trent in the other direction. Manchester International Airport is less than 15 miles away and there are convenient feeder roads to the M6 motorway from Congleton.
Shopping
Congleton High Street alone has 160 shops. Residents can select from high street fashion favourites, computer game outlets, shoe shops and electrical goods, as well as a wide range of independent stores, selling everything from French furniture to African art. Capitol Walk’s quaint undercover arcade has a number of boutiques and Congleton’s covered market takes place twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Eating & drinking
There is a wide variety of places to eat and drink in Congleton. Choose from pubs and bars such as The Beartown Tap and Ye Olde White Lion, or sample Congleton's eclectic restaurant scene with Indian, Chinese and Italian options. Or for something different, why not try Pecks Restaurant’s dramatic ‘Theatre of Food’ dining experience or a Michelin starred option?
Active pursuits
There are plenty of leisure facilities in Congleton, which has its own leisure centre and several other gyms. Golfers are well provided for at Astbury and Mossley Golf Clubs. Astbury Mere Country Park is the home of watersports with instructed sessions in sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building. Alternatively, try shooting at Cloudside Shooting Club or riding at Somerford Equestrian Centre.