A historic market town with a rich heritage, surprising tales, and enduring character.
Congleton is a traditional Cheshire market town shaped by centuries of trade, craftsmanship, and community spirit. From its medieval charter to its well-known “Beartown” legend, the town’s story is one of resilience, enterprise, and local pride.
Today, visitors can still trace that history through its streets, buildings, and landscapes—where the past sits alongside a vibrant modern town. Pictured below is Bosley Cloud, a favourite local landmark and walk, as one resident commented, ‘you always know you are near home when you see the Cloud”.
Congleton developed in Anglo-Saxon times and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It was granted a Charter in 1272 by Henry de Lacy, the Lord of the Manor. This allowed Congleton to appoint a Mayor, hold a market, regulate the sale of food and ale and to use its own corn mill. Disaster struck in 1452 when the river flooded and washed away half the timber built town, which was then rebuilt on higher ground, around the present day High Street. The plague ravaged the town from 1603-1641. In the early 17th Century, Congleton was accused of using money for a new Town Bible to pay for a new Town Bear instead, when the old one died just before the Wakes. This is the reason for Congleton’s nickname “Beartown”. During the later 18th Century, from being a market town serving the surrounding agricultural area, Congleton also became a centre for manufacturing textiles, especially silk. The River Dane and its tributaries supplied water power for the numerous mills.
Visit the Congleton Heritage Festival website for more of the town’s history.
Congleton’s 750th Charter Year (1272–2022) marked a year-long programme of events celebrating the town’s medieval origins and community heritage. The anniversary commemorates the granting of Congleton’s first charter by Henry de Lacy in 1272, which established key rights such as holding markets, electing a mayor, and appointing an ale taster.
The celebrations brought together residents, businesses and organisations through a wide range of themed activities, including:
Heritage projects were a key feature, notably the creation of hand-painted heraldic flags and banners across the town centre, supported by National Lottery funding and local volunteers.
More than 400 school children and over 200 residents visited the medieval living history exhibition in the Town Hall depicting what local life would have been like in 1272.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words; view the gallery below of a very special year in Congleton’s history.
Jenny Unsworth, Congleton Town Mayor Denis Murphy (2021/22), Cllr David Brown, Cllr Suzie Akers Smith.
Lords and Ladies of Congleton enjoyed an evening of fun, feast and festivities at the Town Hall’s Medieval Banquet, as part of the town’s 750th Charter Year celebrations. The Main Hall provided the ideal backdrop for the banquet, as guests were transported back in time to 1272 when Congleton was granted its first Charter by Henry de Lacy.
Congleton is proudly known as “Beartown”, a nickname rooted in one of the town’s most famous legends. The town accounts also make regular mention of the popular medieval sports of cock-fighting and bear-baiting. Congleton was no different from many other towns of the period and even kept a “dancing bear” to entertain crowds during the annual Wakes celebrations. According to the story, one year the bear died shortly before the festivities, causing great disappointment. The town’s Alderman is said to have suggested borrowing money from a fund set aside to purchase a new town Bible in order to buy another bear, with the intention of repaying it later from money raised during the Wakes. Over time the tale became exaggerated and twisted into the famous rhyme: “Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare, Sold the Bible to buy a Bear.”
The nickname has endured for centuries and become an important part of Congleton’s identity. Today, many local businesses proudly reference bears in their names and branding, while Congleton Town Football Club are affectionately known as “The Bears”. Like it or not, the Beartown nickname has endured and is embraced by the town, with the council even supporting modern bear-rescue charities.
The council’s Bears can often be seen at our local events, giving high-fives and free hugs! A firm favourite with children and adults!
The Town Council is proud of its fine collection of civic artefacts, charters and documents known as the Town Treasures. You can view the Treasures with a private tour of the Town Hall by contacting the Chief Officer at Town Hall, High Street, Congleton CW12 1BN, tel: 01260 270350.
Silver gilt, made in 1651, the mace has an intriguing historical connection with the execution of King Charles 1. It is reputed to have been used as a model for the House of Commons mace and is still carried in front of the Mayor on ceremonial occasions by the Mace Bearer. An inscription around the head of the mace originally said: “The Freedome of England by God’ Blessing Restored.” But in 1660, King Charles II regained the throne, and the inscription was considered subversive. The town accounts of 1661 refer to a sum of £3 being “payd to ye goldsmyth for altering ye Mace.” The date was changed, somewhat clumsily, from 1651 to 1661, and the phrase “to C.R” (Charles Rex) was added to the inscription. These alterations can be clearly seen today.
The Mayoral Chain comprises five gold and enamel shields, 19 gold shields, eight gold open-work links, one gold medallion and one pendant with a diamond.
The Mayoress’s Chain comprises a crown, one large and three small diamonds and is a replica of James I seal.
From the submarine Conqueror, which was adopted by the town. She took part in the Falklands conflict of 1982 and has since been decommissioned.
Other documents preserved in the Town Hall include the ‘Boundary Roll’ stating the boundaries as determined by courts held in 1593, 1662 and 1673. The latest document acquired by the town is the official grant of ‘Arms and Supporters’ to the borough of Congleton, obtained on September 5 1967.
Further town treasures such as the Hand Bell dated 1732, and recast in 1859, Congleton Brank or Scolds Bridle and Congleton Charters, including the first granted in 1272, are housed by Congleton Museum.
