History
of Nantwich.
Nantwich is an ancient town, established well over 1000 years ago,
originally known as 'Wich Malbanc' and, in the 18th
century 'Namptwych'. The old Welsh name was 'Hellath Wen'. Nantwich was an important outpost close to the Welsh
border, with a castle near the river Weaver (now recalled in the
name 'Castle Street'). The Romans had troops in Nantwich and an
old Roman track was
recently discovered near the river. In the 1800s the town was a
vital coaching route
from London to Wales and Ireland.
River Weaver
Looking towards Welsh Row bridge
Historically, salt production was a major activity in the town. In the days
before refrigeration it was the main method of preserving food.
The Saxon word for an industrial settlement, often based on the
availability of salt, was 'Wich'.
The 'Nant' in 'Nantwich' is probably derived from the Old English 'Namet' (the
most famous) or the Welsh 'Nant' (place in a river valley).
For many years the industry thrived and by the 19th century Nantwich
was one of the biggest salt producers in the country. Brine,
naturally occurring in springs in the area, was heated and salt
produced by evaporation. Eventually, competition from mined rock salt made the process uneconomic, and the
industry died out in the 1850s. However, the town still has a unique
heated outdoor brine swimming pool and from about 1880 to 1940 was
promoted as a fashionable place to take salt water treatment to help cure
stomach complaints , gout and rheumatism.
Nantwich was also an important location for tanneries and the
manufacture of leather goods. Possible explanations of the term 'Dabber', which is a nickname for a native
of Nantwich, is that 'dabbing' is part of the process used in curing
leather or in the 'dabbing' of glue during shoe making.
A major event in the history of Nantwich was a great fire in 1583,
when most of the town was destroyed. The Queens Aid house in the
town centre gives thanks to Elizabeth I for helping to rebuild the town
after the fire. An inscription reads:-
God grant our Royal Queen,
In England long to reign,
For she has put her helping hand,
To build this town again.
During the civil war, Nantwich was the only Cheshire town supporting
Cromwell and the Parliamentarians. The town was besieged for weeks by
Royalists, but on 25th January 1664 troops led by Sir Thomas
Fairfax relieved the town and defeated the royalist army. The townsfolk celebrated by wearing sprigs of holly in their hats and
the day is still known as 'Holly Holy day'. The victory is commemorated
now by a re-enactment of the battle of Nantwich, staged by the Sealed
Knot, on Mill Island, a site by the river in the centre of the town.
  
  
Scenes from the Battle of Nantwich August 2007
In 1849, Cholera struck the town. In about 3 months 1000 cases
were reported - about one sixth of the population at that time.
About 180 people died of the disease. Many are interred in a
peaceful green space in front of the parish church in the centre of
town.
Nantwich Parish Church St Mary's
Nowadays, Nantwich is a lively market town, well known for an annual
International Cheese Show and for a Food Festival. Other festivals, such
as the Blues and Jazz Festival and Acoustics Festival, attract many
visitors. Locally, cheese manufacture, agriculture and information
technology are important businesses.
St George's Day celebrations
Christmas lights
Nantwich is a thriving shopping centre with many specialist traders,
especially food shops and businesses selling clothes and fashion
accessories. It's attractive old buildings, beautiful church and
splendid recreational facilities make Nantwich a popular centre for
tourism.
Market Hall
Nantwich Museum
The Players Theatre
Crown Hotel
Visit us soon and see for yourself!
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