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Visit the small market town of Much Wenlock this travel season for a quaint, charming holiday indeed. Surely, Much Wenlock's reputation precedes itself as the town is famous as the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Today, the residents of Much Wenlock celebrate this heritage during the Wenlock Olympian Games. The celebration has been held every summer for the last 125 years.
According to local lore, the Wenlock Olympian Games began as early as 1850, organized by Dr. William Penny Brookes. Thereafter, Brookes and his associates founded larger and larger Olympian competitions, culminating in the formation of the modern Olympic Games.
Much Wenlock History
Aside from the town's proud heritage as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Much Wenlock has quite a long and varied history. Once inhabited by the Romans, the area today known as Much Wenlock was little more than an isolated abbey in the late 7th century. Throughout the subsequent centuries, Much Wenlock changed very little until the early 13th century when the town was granted its first market charter. But interestingly, Much Wenlock did not earn its peculiar moniker until the modern era to distinguish itself from another town by the same name Little Wenlock.
Much Wenlock Sites of Interest
First-time travellers to Much Wenlock have spoken well of the Much Wenlock Museum as a particular site of interest in town. Recently renovated, the museum contains several fine exhibitions which highlight Much Wenlock's heritage as the birthplace of the resurrection of the modern Olympic Games.
Other places to visit whilst in Much Wenlock include the town's old guildhall, which dates to the 16th century. The ruins of Wenlock Priory on the outskirts of town attract throngs of visitors, as well. Once in town, you will discover that Much Wenlock has many historical sites of interest roundabout town. In fact, the heritage society in Much Wenlock sponsors walking tours during the busy travel season in order to highlight the town's grade listed buildings.
However, the largest and most popular attraction in Much Wenlock remains the festival of the Wenlock Olympian Games, held in the summer. The games include a live arts festival and a guided tour of the Olympian Trail, a 2 kilometre walk roundabout the town's historical buildings that reputedly follows in the footsteps of the first Olympians. But the highlight of the games remains the sporting competitions such as contests in football, clay shooting, fencing and archery just to name a few of the many events put on every year in Much Wenlock.
Much Wenlock Transportation
For motoring directions to Much Wenlock, you would do well to ride the A458 via Shrewsbury, which lies north-west of Much Wenlock town centre. Another popular route to Much Wenlock is the A4169 trunk road by way of Telford to the north. Sadly, there is no rail that operates in Much Wenlock.
Much Wenlock Places to Stay
The accommodations in Much Wenlock have all the charm of typical market towns. Several well-reviewed establishments lie within walking distance of the town's primary sites of interest. Camping and caravanning parks are available on the north side of town centre. This is yet another popular place to stay whilst on holiday in Much Wenlock.
Accommodation in Much Wenlock
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