Near Stoke-On-Trent Is A Charming Market Town With Craft Brews, Indie Shops, And Historic Sites

Many of England's central cities have surrounding towns and villages where you can uncover more of the country's history. Cheshire's countryside is a great place for visiting such towns, especially around Stoke-on-Trent. For example, the historic market town of Sandbach is located about 16 miles north of the city. If you've ever imagined a traditional English town, you may have pictured some elements that are commonplace in Sandbach — cobbled squares, cozy pubs, Roman landmarks, communal events, a central waterway, and medieval architecture.

Sandbach isn't just a living museum, though; it has some modern offerings that make it feel well-rounded. While you can stick to the classic tearooms and pubs in town, you may want to also check out its various craft beer joints, wine bars, and upscale dining. The town earned its official market charter in 1579, according to Sandbach Town Council. Queen Elizabeth I granted this charter, cementing Sandbach's centuries-old market culture. While market days remain part of the community fabric, they're now also complemented by numerous independent retailers who call the town home.

History still flows throughout — it's almost impossible to avoid it in a town that dates back to the Domesday Book. Centuries-old pubs, ninth-century Saxon crosses, a restored stone church, and the grand Victorian-era Town Hall all contribute to this enduring aesthetic. Amid it all, you'll also find plenty of proud and welcoming locals. "When I go elsewhere, I tell people they really must visit, because there's so much here," the town mayor, Ann Nevitt, said to Great British Life. "It's such a friendly town. People talk to each other. There's a real sense of community."

Not many towns or cities let you drink in their oldest building, but Sandbach bucks this trend — a clear indication that beer plays a prominent role here. The Lower Chequer pub occupies Sandbach's oldest building: a circa-1570 medieval construction with a half-timbered façade that stands out on Crown Bank. It isn't just pretty to look at either, as it comes highly recommended on Google and serves Joule's craft beer on tap, including pale ales, blondes, lager, and seasonal ales. While you're drinking here, keep an ear and eye out for the resident ghost, a former stable hand.

Four Priests has a more modern vibe and positions itself as a craft-beer-drinking purist. It has a great range of keg and cask beers, inviting drinkers to sit, sip, and converse away from televisions. The available beer often changes, but you can usually rely on there being plenty of cans, bottles, and options on tap. Tuck into cloudy ciders, fruity IPAs, dark bitters, smoked porters, session pales, and sours. The Cobbles is yet another popular spot. The High Street pub carefully curates its craft beer selection and has a dedicated craft beer fridge and tasting sessions for passionate drinkers. It also hosts live music and quiz nights.

You'll notice an independent spirit at some Sandbach watering holes, and the same can be said for many of its shops. Peevers has been selling menswear in town since 1974, dressing men around Sandbach in high-street fashion labels. White Ribbon Boutique is the women's clothing equivalent; expertly curated tops, vests, jeans, shoes, and accessories await in store. You'll find various boutique skin care, perfume, aromatherapy, and gift items at BeYoutiful, while The Real Thing sells high-quality jewelry. Then there's the Sandbach Makers Market, which is held every second Saturday. Here, local artisans sell crafts, handmade goods, and farm products.

As a market town, Sandbach has multiple markets throughout the week, including its most historic Thursday Charter Market, held most weeks between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. This particular market is centuries old. "Sandbach has held a Thursday market in the town centre from before Queen Elizabeth I granted the town its charter," a Sandbach Town Council spokesperson tells Sandbach Nub News. Held indoors and outside, it showcases the wares, produce, and creations of stallholders who've been regulars for over 50 years. Market towns are not uncommon in this area, as Nantwich is a riverside destination with historic charm and fun shopping, about a 20-minute drive away.

Most of the markets take place in the Market Hall or the cobblestoned Market Square, a medieval-esque area with surrounding historic buildings and stone Saxon Crosses believed to be from the ninth century. These are rare remnants of England's Anglo-Saxon period and have depictions of Biblical stories carved into them. Sandbach's Grade II-listed Town Hall and Market Hall opened in 1890, capturing the town's Victorian era with its red-brick façade and grand Gothic-inspired ballroom. Just off High Street stands St. Mary's Church, a centuries-old Gothic sandstone church that's been lovingly restored. It still hosts regular services and events.

Driving to Sandbach takes about 25 minutes from Stoke-on-Trent, a city with a vibrant food scene worth experiencing. Public transport is a little trickier: you can catch the train from Manchester down to Crewe, a railway town known for its Victorian charm, then hop on a bus to Sandbach. The journey takes just over one hour, which is about the same amount of time it takes to reach Manchester. Sandbach only has one hotel called The Wheatsheaf, a five-star gastropub and steakhouse that also has thoughtfully designed rooms.