View source for Congleton

{{Short description|Town in Cheshire, England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.162|-2.217|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Congleton
| static_image_name = CongletonTownHall.jpg
| static_image_caption = [[Congleton Town Hall]], completed 1866
| population_ref = 28,497 (Parish, 2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Congleton parish |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/northwestengland/admin/cheshire_east/E04010931__congleton/ |website=City Population |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref><br>{{nowrap|30,005 (Built up area, 2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>}}
| civil_parish = Congleton
| unitary_england = [[Cheshire East]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Cheshire]]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Congleton (UK Parliament constituency)|Congleton]]
| post_town = CONGLETON
| postcode_district = CW12
| postcode_area = CW
| dial_code = 01260
| os_grid_reference = SJ854628
| website = {{URL|www.congleton-tc.gov.uk}}
| static_image_2_name = 
| static_image_2_caption = Coat of arms of [[Congleton Town Council]]
}}

'''Congleton''' is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in the borough of [[Cheshire East]], in [[Cheshire]], England. The town is on the [[River Dane]], {{convert|21|mi|km}} south of [[Manchester]] and {{convert|13|mi|km}} north of [[Stoke on Trent]]. At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the town's built-up area had a population of 30,005, while the parish had a population of 28,497.

==Toponymy==
The town's name is of unknown origin. The first recorded reference to it was in 1282, when it was spelt ''Congelton''. The element ''Congle'' might relate to the old Norse ''kang'' meaning a bend, followed by the Old English element ''tun'' meaning settlement.<ref name=ekwall120>{{cite book|last=Ekwall|first=Eilert|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names|publisher=Oxford|year=1936|page=120|edition=Fourth, 1984 Reprint|isbn=0-19-869103-3}}</ref>

==History==
The first settlements in the Congleton area were [[Neolithic]]. [[Stone Age]] and [[Bronze Age]] artefacts have been found in the town.<ref name="Congleton Museum website">{{cite web |title=The History of Congleton |url=http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/9.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162217/http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/9.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=7 October 2010 |website=[[Congleton Museum]]}}</ref> Congleton was once thought to have been a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] settlement, although there is no archaeological or documentary evidence to support this. Congleton became a [[market town]] after [[Vikings]] destroyed nearby Davenport.

[[Godwin, Earl of Wessex]] held the town in the [[Saxon]] period. The town is mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/cheshire1.html |title=The Domesday Book Online|access-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> where it is listed as ''Cogeltone: Bigot de Loges''. [[William the Conqueror]] granted the whole of Cheshire to his nephew the [[Earl of Chester]] who constructed several fortifications including the town's castle in 1208. In the 13th century, Congleton belonged to the [[de Lacy]] family.<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/> [[Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln|Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln]] granted the [[Corporation of Congleton]] its first charter in 1272, enabling it to hold fairs and markets, elect a mayor and ale taster, have a [[Gild Merchant|merchant guild]] and [[Decapitation|behead]] known criminals.<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/>

In 1451, the River Dane flooded, destroying a number of buildings, the town's mill and a wooden bridge.<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/> The river was diverted, and the town was rebuilt on higher ground.

Congleton became known for [[bear-baiting]] and [[cockfighting]] in the 1620s, when they were popular sports.<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/><ref name="Bearwardsandtheirsocialstatus">{{Cite news |date=24 November 2022 |title=Bearwards and their social status |pages=4–5 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref> The town was unable to attract large crowds to its bear-baiting contests and lacked the money to pay for a new, more aggressive bear. A legend tells that Congleton spent the money they were going to spend on a Bible on a bear; this legend is only partly true as only part of the fund to buy a new Bible was used to buy a new bear.<ref name="Bearwardsandtheirsocialstatus"/> The legend earned Congleton the nickname Beartown. The chorus of 20th-century folk song "Congleton Bear",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.thorp/lyrcongl.htm|title=Congleton Bear Lyrics|access-date=9 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183512/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.thorp/lyrcongl.htm|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> by folk artist [[John Tams]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.thorp/index.html|title=John Tams information|access-date=9 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819232558/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.thorp/index.html|archive-date=19 August 2007}}</ref> runs:
:Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare
:Sold the Bible to buy a bear.

During the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], former mayor and lawyer [[John Bradshaw (judge)|John Bradshaw]] became president of the court which sent [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] to his execution in 1649. His signature as [[Attorney General for England and Wales|Attorney General]] was the first on the king's death warrant.<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/> A plaque on Bradshaw House in Lawton Street commemorates him. Almost opposite the town hall, the White Lion public house bears a [[blue plaque]], placed by the Congleton Civic Society, which reads: "The White Lion, built 16–17th century. Said to have housed the attorney's office where John Bradshaw, regicide, served his articles."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thornber.net/cheshire/htmlfiles/congleton.html|title=Photographs of Congleton, Cheshire, England, UK|website=thornber.net|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Old Mill (1753-1830) in 1902.png|thumb|The [[List of textile mills in Cheshire#Congleton|Old Mill]] and the town corn mill photographed in 1902; the mill became unstable and Roldane Mill was built on the site in 1923. The mill was demolished in 2003, and sheltered housing is being built here.]]
King [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] granted permission to build a mill. Congleton became an important centre of textile production, especially leather gloves and [[lace]].<ref name="Congleton Museum website"/> Congleton had an early [[silk throwing]] mill, the [[List of textile mills in Cheshire#Congleton|Old Mill]] built by John Clayton and Nathaniel Pattison in 1753.<ref name="Callandine">{{cite journal|last=Callandine|first=Anthony|year=1993|title=Lombe's Mill: An Exercise in reconstruction|journal=Industrial Archaeology Review|publisher=Maney Publishing|volume=XVI|issue=1|issn=0309-0728}}</ref> More mills followed and cotton was also spun. The town's prosperity depended on [[tariff]]s imposed on imported silk. When tariffs were removed in the 1860s, the empty mills were converted to [[fustian]] cutting. A limited silk ribbon weaving industry survived into the 20th century, and woven labels were still produced in the 1990s. Many mills survive as industrial or residential units.<ref name=bdghs>[http://www.dmoore.org.uk/bdghs/2007.htm#24 Fustian Mills Talk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403005943/http://www.dmoore.org.uk/bdghs/2007.htm |date=3 April 2015 }} Lyndon Murgatroyd 2007</ref>

[[File:Congleton water tower.jpg|thumb|upright|Congleton water tower built 1881]]
In 1881, in order to improve the water supply to the town, a pumping station was built on Forge Lane to draw water from the [[Spring (hydrology)|spring]]s in Forge Wood and pump it up to a [[water tower]] at the top of the hill. The red and yellow brick water tower was designed by the engineer William Blackshaw. A second adjacent tower was constructed later.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stephens |first1=W. B. |title=History of Congleton: Published to Celebrate the 700th Anniversary of the Granting of the Charter to the Town |date=1970 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-0-7190-1245-7 |page=101 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ydFRAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA101|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1130486|desc=WATER TOWER ON TOWER HILL TO NORTH OF WEST ROAD}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |last2=Hubbard |first2=Edward |title=Cheshire |date=1 March 1971 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-09588-3 |pages=184–5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kl99LwM8BYgC&pg=PA184|via=Google Books}}</ref>

[[Congleton Town Hall]] was designed in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style by [[Edward William Godwin]]. It was completed in 1866.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/town-hall/book-the-town-hall/|title=Book the Town Hall – Congleton Town Council|website=congleton-tc.gov.uk}}</ref>

The current hospital in Congleton was opened by the [[George VI|Duke of York]] on 22 May 1924.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alcock |first=Joan P. |title=History and Guide Congleton |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |date=30 June 2003 |isbn=0752429469 |location=Stroud |page=87}}</ref>

In 1920, the Marie Hall home for boys was established in West House, an 18th-century house on West Road, as a branch of the [[National Children’s Home]]. It became an [[approved school]] in 1935 and was renamed Danesford School. It was converted into a Community Home with Education in 1973, run jointly by NCH and Cheshire County Council. Danesford has since closed, and the Grade II listed buildings have been converted for residential use.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marie Hall Home / Danesford School, Congleton, Cheshire |url=https://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/CongletonNCH/ |website=www.childrenshomes.org.uk |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1130481|desc=DANESFORD SCHOOL (NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOMES)}}</ref>

Congleton elected its first Lady Mayor in November 1945.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 1945 |title=Congleton Elects Its First Lady Mayor |page=7 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

During the celebration marking 700 years of Congleton's Charter in 1972 Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip]] visited Congleton in May, this was the first visit by a reigning monarch since the visit of King [[George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] in 1913.<ref name="Alcock">{{Cite book |last=Alcock |first=Joan P. |title=History and Guide Congleton |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |date=30 June 2003 |isbn=0752429469 |location=Stroud |page=104}}</ref>

In 1983, [[Princess Michael of Kent]] visited Congleton.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 1983 |title=Princess happy to extend vist |page=13 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19831006/013/0013 |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 June 2023 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref>

Between 2008 and 2010 Congleton broke 3 world records.<ref name="WorldRecords">{{Cite news |date=2010-10-04 |title=Congleton records a hat-trick |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/stoke/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9059000/9059967.stm |access-date=2025-04-07 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

During the celebration marking 700 years of Mayoralty in Congleton in 2018 the [[Charles III|Prince of Wales]] and the [[Duchess of Cornwall Camilla|Duchess of Cornwall]] visited the town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-25 |title=Congleton Welcomes The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall |url=https://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/congleton-welcomes-the-prince-of-wales-the-duchess-of-cornwall/ |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Congleton Town Council}}</ref>

In 2019 the [[serial rapist]] [[Joseph McCann (criminal)|Joseph Mccann]] was arrested on a country lane in Congleton after a nationwide manhunt for him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |date=2019-12-06 |title=Joseph McCann guilty of horrific rapes after being freed by mistake |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/06/joseph-mccann-convicted-horrific-rapes-after-being-let-out-of-jail-by-mistake |access-date=2024-03-23 |work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2022 a celebration marked the 750th anniversary of Congleton's first charter. An ale taster was appointed as part of the celebrations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watterson |first=Kaleigh |date=2022-03-31 |title=Town appoints ale taster as part of 750th celebrations |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-60935226 |access-date=2022-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=31 March 2022 |title=Here for the beer: Congleton appoints ale taster for town anniversary |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/31/congleton-appoints-ale-taster-to-mark-the-towns-750th-anniversary |access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref>

In 2023 part of the Congleton town centre was regenerated as part of the Congleton Market Quarter project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rack |first=Susie |date=29 September 2023 |title=Market revival aims to redefine town centre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66948174 |access-date=2023-09-29 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The regenerated part of Congleton town centre is named the "Congleton Market Quarter" and opened in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2024 |title=Market Quarter plans for future expansion|page=4 |newspaper=Congleton Chronicle}}</ref> Another phase of expansion for the "Congleton Market Quarter" was announced in December 2024, and was due for completion in March 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Gary |date=14 December 2024 |title=Plans for next phase of town's 'Market Quarter' regeneration unveiled |newspaper=[[Stoke Sentinel|Stoke-on-Trent Live]]|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/plans-next-phase-towns-market-9750601}}</ref>

On 28 September 2024 Congleton appointed its first female town crier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2024 |last=Walker|first=Melanie|title=Oyez! Town has a new (female) voice |page=Front Page |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

==Governance==
There are two tiers of local government covering Congleton, at [[civil parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level: [[Congleton Town Council]] and [[Cheshire East Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref> The town council is based at [[Congleton Town Hall]] on High Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/contact-us/ |website=Congleton Town Council |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref>

The [[Congleton (UK Parliament constituency)|Congleton parliamentary constituency]] is a [[county constituency]] represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It includes the towns of Congleton, [[Alsager]], [[Holmes Chapel]] and [[Sandbach]]. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the [[first-past-the-post]] system of election. The current MP is [[Sarah Russell (politician)|Sarah Russell]] of the [[Labour (UK)|Labour Party]], the previous incumbent was [[Fiona Bruce (politician)|Fiona Bruce]] of the [[Conservative (UK)|Conservative Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watterson |first=Kaleigh |date=5 July 2024 |title=Historic wins for Labour in Cheshire |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2q0k73zpl0o |access-date=6 July 2024 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
Congleton was historically one of twelve [[Township (England)|townships]] within the [[ancient parish]] of [[Astbury, Cheshire|Astbury]], and formed part of the [[Hundreds of Cheshire|Northwich hundred]] of Cheshire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congleton Chapelry / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10113544 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref> From the 17th century onwards, parishes were gradually given various civil functions under the [[poor laws]], in addition to their original ecclesiastical functions. In some cases, including Astbury, the civil functions were exercised by each township separately rather than the parish as a whole. In 1866, the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws, and so Congleton became a [[civil parish]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II, Northern England |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0861931270 |page=xv}}</ref>

The Congleton township was granted a [[municipal charter]] making it a [[ancient borough|borough]] by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. The charter itself is not dated, but is generally assumed to have been issued in 1272, the same year that Lacy became Earl of Lincoln.<ref>{{cite book |title=Report of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales |date=1835 |page=2649 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Report_of_the_Commissioners_Appointed_to/MHBTAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA2649&printsec=frontcover |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="Congleton Museum website"/> The borough was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=459 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/458/mode/2up |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref> In 1837, the government's boundary commissioners recommended that [[Buglawton]] should be brought within the borough boundaries, but their recommendations were not implemented.<ref>{{cite book |title=Report on the Proposed Municipal Boundary and Division into Wards of the Borough of Congleton |date=1837 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Parliamentary_Papers/iEwSAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PP355&printsec=frontcover |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref> Buglawton was eventually absorbed into the borough in 1936.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buglawton Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10137100#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>

The municipal borough of Congleton was abolished in 1974.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congleton Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10025333 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref> Its area became part of a larger [[Congleton (borough)|Congleton borough]] which also covered nearby towns and surrounding rural areas.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> No [[successor parish]] was created for the area of the old municipal borough at the time of the 1974 reforms, but a new parish of Congleton was subsequently created in 1980, with its parish council taking the name Congleton Town Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Parish of Congleton Order 1980 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221202003804mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/12251/congleton-the-parish-of-congleton-order-1980.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=30 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 November 1980 |title=New council — a new era |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-sentinel-new-council-a-new-era/181223523/ |access-date=17 September 2025 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |page=9}}</ref>

In 2009, Cheshire East Council was created, taking over the functions of the borough council and [[Cheshire County Council]], which were both abolished.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008|year=2008|number=634|access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
<span class="anchor" id="Mossley"></span>
[[File:Congleton Brookside Mill 2569.JPG|thumb|Brook Mill, a textile mill that has been converted to residential units, on a brook leading to the [[River Dane]] in the centre of Congleton. Behind are trees on the steep northern bank]]
Mossley is sometimes classed as the wealthier part of town. Hightown is located in Mossley. [[West Heath, Cheshire|West Heath]] is an estate built in the early 1960s to the early 1980s. Lower Heath lies to the north of the town. There is also the town centre.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Congleton is in the valley of the [[River Dane]]. South of the town lies an expanse of green space known locally as Priesty Fields which forms a green corridor right into the heart of the town – a rare feature in English towns. Folklore says that Priesty Fields gained its name as there was no priest performing services within the town. The nearest priest was based at the nearby village of [[Newbold Astbury|Astbury]]. It is told that the priest would walk along an ancient medieval pathway which ran between the fields at the Parish Church in Astbury and [[St Peter's Church, Congleton|St Peter's Church]] in Congleton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mythsandlegendsofcheshire.blogspot.com/2011/04/priesty-fields-congleton.html|title=Myths and Legends of Cheshire: PRIESTY FIELDS, CONGLETON|last=Stubbs|first=Gill|date=2011-04-26|website=Myths and Legends of Cheshire|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref>

==Economy==
The principal industries in Congleton include the manufacture of [[airbag]]s and [[golf ball]]s. There are light engineering factories near the town and [[Sand mining|sand extraction]] occurs on the [[Cheshire Plain]].<ref>{{Cite book |date=May 2022 |title=Congleton Transport Development Plan |url=https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s95402/Appendix%20B%20-%20Congleton%20LTDP.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701213650/https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s95402/Appendix%20B%20-%20Congleton%20LTDP.pdf |archive-date=1 July 2022 |access-date=30 August 2022 |publisher=Cheshire East Council |page=3 |format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}</ref>

One of the most prominent industries during the nineteenth century onwards was Berisfords Ribbons, established in 1858.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berisfords-ribbons.co.uk/about-us/heritage/|title=Heritage – Berisfords Ribbons|website=berisfords-ribbons.co.uk|access-date=2020-02-20}}</ref> It was founded by Charles Berisford and his brothers Francis and William. The brothers leased part of [[Victoria Mill]], on Foundry Bank, owning the entire factory by 1872. By 1898, the company had offices in [[London]], Manchester, [[Leeds]] and [[Bristol]].

Congleton Market operates every Tuesday and Saturday from the Bridestones Centre.

Until about 2000, Super Crystalate balls, made of [[crystalate]], were manufactured by The Composition Billiard Ball Company in Congleton. The company was then sold by its owner to [[Saluc S.A.]], the Belgian manufacturer of Aramith Balls. The name Super Crystalate was retained, but the manufacturing process was integrated into the standard process used for Aramith balls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snookerheritage.co.uk/normans-lectures/billiards-snooker-balls/|title=Billiard and Snooker Heritage Collection – Billiards & Snooker balls|website=snookerheritage.co.uk|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://titansports.co.uk/content/25-snooker-balls|title=Technical Information – Balls – Titan Sports & Games|website=titansports.co.uk|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:LittleMoretonHall.jpg|thumb|[[Little Moreton Hall]], {{convert|4|mi|km}} south-west of Congleton]]
The [[National Trust]] Tudor house [[Little Moreton Hall]] is {{convert|4|mi|km}} south-west of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Moreton Hall |url=http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk/little_moreton_hall.htm |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=cheshirenow.co.uk}}</ref>

[[Congleton Park]] is located along the banks of the River Dane, just north-east of the town centre. Town Wood, on the northern edge of the park, is a Grade A Site of Biological Interest and contains many nationally important plants.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Congleton Paddling Pool was built in the 1930s and is open in the summer months. [[Astbury Mere|Astbury Mere Country Park]] lies just to the south-west of the town centre, on the site of a former sand [[quarry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alsager.com/tour/area/astbury.htm|title=Astbury Mere Country Park|website=alsager.com|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/ranger_service/countryside_sites/congleton_area/astbury_mere_country_park.aspx|title=Cheshire East Council – Astbury Mere Country Park|access-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012234321/http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/ranger_service/countryside_sites/congleton_area/astbury_mere_country_park.aspx|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The lake is used for fishing and sailing and, despite its name, is actually in the West Heath area of Congleton, with the boundary between Congleton and Newbold Astbury parishes lying further to the south.

The independently run 300 seat [[Daneside Theatre]] is on Park Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daneside Theatre |url=http://www.danesidetheatre.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=danesidetheatre.co.uk}}</ref> The 400-seat [[Clonterbrook House|Clonter Opera Theatre]] is based in the village of [[Swettenham|Swettenham Heath]], {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} north of Congleton. Founded in 1971, Congleton Choral Society is a mixed voice choir which regularly performs choral works at Congleton Town Hall and other venues around the town.

[[Congleton Museum]] is on Market Square, in the centre of town. It was established in 2002 and is dedicated to Congleton's industrial history. It also contains an ancient [[log boat]] and gold and silver [[Numismatics|coin hoards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Congleton Museum|url=http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/|url-status=live|website=congletonmuseum.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226013743/http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk:80/ |archive-date=26 December 2005 }}</ref> Congleton Tourist Information Centre is on the town's High Street.

[[File:Congleton Park 2456.JPG|thumb|Congleton Park from the Jubilee Pavilion]]

The town annually hosts a food and drink festival,<ref>{{cite web|title=Congleton Food and Drink Festival|url=http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.net/|url-status=live|access-date=10 February 2016|website=foodanddrinkfestival.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411075541/http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.net:80/ |archive-date=11 April 2009 }}</ref> which promotes locally sourced produce/cuisine, with a jazz and blues festival which showcases acts from across the UK. In 2019, Congleton held its first annual pride event.<ref>{{cite web|title=Congleton Pride|url=http://www.congletonpride.co.uk/|url-status=live|website=congletonpride.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709161350/http://www.congletonpride.co.uk/ |archive-date=9 July 2020 }}</ref>

Congleton hosts two annual musical festivals, Congleton Jazz and Blues and Congleton Unplugged.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2023 |title=What goes into creating Congleton's music festivals? |page=16 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

Congleton hosts an annual environment event knows as a Green Fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2025 |title=Excitement building for green fair|department=The social pages|page=15 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

The town once hosted the [[Congleton Carnival]] a one-day carnival which was hosted once every two years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 2023 |title=Pride invites firms to sponsor 2023 event |page=4 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref> In the past, the carnival was regarded as one of the best local carnivals in England and used to last for up to three days and feature floats and live music among another attractions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congleton Carnival – A History – Congleton Heritage Festival |url=https://congletonheritagefestival.com/events/congleton-carnival-a-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815224057/https://congletonheritagefestival.com/events/congleton-carnival-a-history/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=congletonheritagefestival.com}}</ref>

A yearly garden party was once hosted at Mossley House, which was demolished in the early 2010s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 1960 |title=£110 raised at Mossley garden party |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staffordshire-weekly-sentinel-potteries/179648134/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |newspaper=Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel (Potteries edition) |page=4 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s15529/Item%203%2011%203695C.pdf |title=MOSSLEY HOUSE, BIDDULPH ROAD, CONGLETON planning application |publisher=[[Cheshire East Council]] |pages=1 |access-date=25 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314025344/https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s15529/Item%203%2011%203695C.pdf |archive-date=14 March 2024 |url-status=live|format=PDF<!--Deny Citation Bot-->}}</ref>

For six months in summer 2011 Congleton hosted an event called "Bearmania",<ref name="Bearmania">{{Cite web |title=Bearmania – 2011 The Congleton Year of the Bear! |url=https://www.congletonpartnership.co.uk/marketing/bearmania/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=Congleton Partnership}}</ref> in which over sixty 5-foot fibreglass sculptures where placed around the town.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bounds |first=Andrew |date=15 September 2011 |title=Congleton: Bearmania puts market town on the map |newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|location=London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5b5f83a2-d4ae-11e0-a7ac-00144feab49a |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/5b5f83a2-d4ae-11e0-a7ac-00144feab49a |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref> Over 26,000 people came to see the bears during "Bearmania".<ref name="Bearmania" />

===Media===
There is one weekly local newspaper: the locally owned and financed ''[[Congleton Chronicle]]''. The evening newspaper ''[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]'', based in Stoke-on-Trent, also covers the town although less so than in the past. Local radio is broadcast from nearby Macclesfield-based [[Silk 106.9|Silk Radio]], [[Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire]] from Stoke-on-Trent and [[BBC Radio Stoke]]. Community radio is provided by [[Moorlands Radio]] in [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]] and Canalside Community Radio in Bollington.

Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]]. Television signals are received from the [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] and the local relay transmitters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Congleton |title=Freeview Light on the Congleton (Cheshire East, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref>

Congleton did have its own community radio station Beartown FM,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.beartownfm.co.uk/about-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525051313/http://www.beartownfm.co.uk/about-us |archive-date=25 May 2012 |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=Beartown FM}}</ref> but this has now closed. There is an internet-only radio station, Congleton Radio, which started broadcasting on 25 June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congleton Radio launches tonight Saturday 25th June at 7pm |url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F107998191756992%2Fposts%2Fpfbid031v3YmDjyX7p8n8SSYhYPtLA93d7WsfZfEYfqdiND2xKYMyPUJvYbSsQGUTQg7BYzl%2F%3Fd%3Dn |access-date=4 August 2022 |via=Facebook |publisher=Congleton Radio}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2022}}

==Sport==

===Rugby union===
Congleton is home to the third oldest rugby union club in the country, dating back to 1860. Currently fielding a mini and junior section and three adult sides,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/congleton/teams/ |title=Teams |publisher=Congleton RUFC |access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> the club held the world record for the longest continuous game of rugby ever played, at 24 hours, 30 minutes and 6 seconds. The club has also pioneered the development of 'walking rugby' for more senior players and has re-established a ladies' team, having previously had two of its women players represent England.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

===Football===
The local [[Association football|football]] team, [[Congleton Town F.C.]], known as the Bears, play in the Northern Premier League First Division West.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 May 2024 |title=One match from promotion |page=Front Page|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref> Their ground is at Booth Street.

=== Tennis ===
Congleton Tennis Club, one of the oldest in the country (founded in 1890), have occupied the same grounds throughout their history. The club has nine courts: six all-weather courts and three with artificial grass. Four of the courts are floodlit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CongletonLawnTennisClubLimited |title=About Us |date=2022 |publisher=Congleton Tennis Club |access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref>

===Basketball===
Congleton Grizzlies Basketball Club is the town's basketball team.<ref>{{Cite news|date= 26 September 2024 |title=First national basketball league games for Grizzlies |page=41|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

===Other sports===
There are two cricket clubs, Congleton CC and Mossley CC. There are two golf clubs in the town—the nine-hole Congleton Golf Club, and the 18-hole parkland course at Astbury. Congleton Harriers running club meets weekly at Congleton Leisure Centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.congleton-harriers.co.uk/about.htm |title=About Us |publisher=Congleton Harriers |access-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623051303/http://www.congleton-harriers.co.uk/about.htm |archive-date=23 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club organises the Congleton Half Marathon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.congleton-harriers.co.uk/half.htm |title=Congleton Half Marathon |publisher=Congleton Harriers |access-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831074946/http://www.congleton-harriers.co.uk/half.htm |archive-date=31 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A weekly 5K parkrun takes place at Astbury Mere Country Park. {{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

== Transport ==

===Railway===
[[File:Congleton station.jpg|thumb|Congleton railway station in 2018]]
[[Congleton railway station]] was opened by the [[North Staffordshire Railway]] on 9 October 1848. It is situated on the [[Stafford-Manchester Line|Stafford-Manchester spur]] of the [[West Coast Main Line]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congleton Station Information |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/congleton |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716144619/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/CNG |archive-date=16 July 2017 |access-date=2019-09-20 |website=northernrailway.co.uk}}</ref> There is generally an hourly stopping service between [[Manchester Piccadilly]] and [[Stoke-on-Trent railway station|Stoke-on-Trent]], and rail replacement bus services on Sundays (every 2 to 3 hours), with trains operated by [[Northern Trains]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=North West Sunday timetable update {{!}} Northern |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/amended-sunday-timetables |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.northernrailway.co.uk}}</ref>

The [[Biddulph Valley line]] used to terminate in the town. The railway ran from Stoke-on-Trent to [[Brunswick Wharf]], in the suburb of [[Buglawton]]. Passenger services ended in 1927,<ref name="y">{{cite web |title=Activities and Information About the Biddulph Valley Way |url=https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/ranger_service/countryside_sites/biddulph_valley_way/activities_and_information.aspx |website=Chesire East Council |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref> with freight services continuing until 1968, when the line was closed.<ref name="y"/>

===Buses===
Congleton is served by seven bus routes, operated by [[D&G Bus]]; there are no services on Sundays. Destinations include [[Alsager]], [[Macclesfield]], [[Crewe]] and [[Newcastle-under-Lyme|Newcastle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congleton – bustimes.org |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/congleton |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=bustimes.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bus Services {{!}} D&G Bus |url=https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/?region=Cheshire |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.dgbus.co.uk}}</ref>

===Roads===
Congleton is {{convert|7|mi|km}} east of the [[M6 motorway]], connected by the [[A534 road|A534]]. It is on the [[A34 road|A34]] trunk road between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, and the [[A54 road (England)|A54]] to [[Buxton]] and the [[Peak District]]. The [[A536 road|A536]] links the town with Macclesfield, with the A527 linking the town to [[Biddulph]] and providing an alternative route to Stoke-on-Trent.

===Waterways===
[[File:Canal bridges at Hightown in Congleton, Cheshire - geograph.org.uk - 4255065.jpg|thumb|The Macclesfield Canal at Hightown in Congleton]]

The [[Macclesfield Canal]], completed in 1831, passes through the town. It runs {{convert|26|mi}} from Marple Junction at [[Marple, Greater Manchester|Marple]], where it joins the [[Peak Forest Canal|Upper Peak Forest Canal]], southwards (through Bollington and Macclesfield), before arriving at [[Bosley]]. Having descended the 12 Bosley Locks over the course of about a mile (1.6&nbsp;km), the canal continues through Congleton to a junction with the Hall Green Branch of the [[Trent & Mersey Canal]] at Hall Green. The canal is renowned for its elegant [[roving bridge]]s.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Congleton is one of few places in Britain where a road, canal and railway all cross each other at the same place.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

===Air===
The nearest airport to the town is [[Manchester Airport]], {{convert|20|mi|km|0|abbr=}} away.

==Public services==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
Policing in Congleton is provided by [[Cheshire Constabulary]]. The main police station is on Market Square.

[[Fire services in the United Kingdom|Statutory emergency fire and rescue service]] is provided by the [[Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service]]. Congleton Fire Station is on West Road, near the centre of town.

Congleton has a small Non-Accident and Emergency hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital, which was built by public subscription in 1924. The town is also served by [[Leighton Hospital]] in [[Crewe]], [[Macclesfield District General Hospital]] and the [[University Hospital of North Staffordshire]] in [[Stoke-on-Trent]].

==Religion==
[[File:St Peter's Church, Chapel Street, Congleton (NHLE Code 1330322) (May 2022) (9).jpg|thumb|St Peter's Church, Congleton, from the south]]

The four [[Anglican]] churches in Congleton (forming a partnership in the All Saints Congleton parish<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2022 |title=New name for parish of Congleton as church looks to the future |page=Front Page |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>) are:
* St John's
* St Stephen's
* [[St Peter's Church, Congleton|St Peter's]]
* Trinity

Congleton Town Council lists eleven other places of worship in the town:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/community/places-of-worship/ |title=Places of Worship |access-date=12 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104224808/http://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/community/places-of-worship/ |archive-date=4 January 2013 }}</ref>
* Congleton Community [[Baptist]] Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbaptist.org.uk/ |title=Congelton Baptist Church |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106164001/http://www.cbaptist.org.uk/ |archive-date=6 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Brookhouse Green [[Methodism|Methodist]] Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.congletonmethodist.org.uk |title=The Methodist Church – Dane and Trent Circuit |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105053842/http://www.congletonmethodist.org.uk/ |archive-date=5 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* New Life Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nlchurch.org.uk |title=New Life Church |access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref>
* Congleton [[Pentecostal]] Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crossstreetchurch.co.uk/ |title=Cross Street|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref>
* Rood Lane Methodist Church
* Congleton [[Spiritualism (movement)|Spiritualist]] Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snu.org.uk/community/churches/congleton.html |title=Congleton Spiritualist Church |year=2011 |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828071119/http://snu.org.uk/community/churches/congleton.html |archive-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* St James' Anglican Church
* [[St Mary's Church, Congleton|St Mary's Roman Catholic Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plus.google.com/106085485806605143192/about?gl=uk&hl=en|title=St Mary R C Church|website=St Mary R C Church|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref>
* Trinity Methodist Church
* [[Congleton United Reformed Church]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minshullchurch.urc.org.uk/?page_id=1725 |title=Minshull Vernon United Reformed Church |year=2013 |access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref>
* Wellspring Methodist Church
* [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (Mormons)

Historically, Congleton has seen a wide range of Christian church denominations.

* The [[Society of Friends|Friends' Meeting House]] closed in 1741.<ref name=rels/>
* The [[Wesleyan Methodist Church (Great Britain)|Wesleyan Methodist]] Trinity Chapel, in Wagg Street, was founded in 1766 and was rebuilt in 1808 and again in 1967; the [[Primitive Methodist]] Chapel was built in 1821 on Lawton Street, and rebuilt in 1890 on Kinsey Street; the [[Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion]] Methodist chapel was founded in 1822; the Congleton Edge Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in 1833 and rebuilt in 1889; the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Brook Street was built in 1834; the New Connexion Methodist Chapel in Queen Street was built in 1836 and closed in 1969; the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Biddulph Road was built in 1840; the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Rood Lane was founded in 1861 and rebuilt in 1886.<ref name=rels/>
* The [[General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches|Unitarian]] Chapel in Cross Street was founded in 1687 near the Dane Bridge and in 1733 moved to Cross Street, with the present building constructed in 1883 and closed in 1978. 
* The United Reformed Church ([[Independent (religion)|Independent]]/[[Congregationalist]]) was built in 1790 on Mill Street, and then rebuilt in 1876 on Antrobus Street.<ref name=rels>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/chs/congleton.html |title=Congleton |publisher=genuki |date=1996–2012 |access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Div col}}

===Primary schools===
* Astbury St Mary's C of E School<ref>{{cite web|title= Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School |website= get-information-schools.service.gov.uk|url= https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/145720|access-date=31 March 2025}}</ref>
* Black Firs Primary School<ref>{{cite news|last=Yates |first=Jay |date= 27 April 2023 |title= Show goes on for actor who followed his dreams |page=27|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* Buglawton Primary School<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 March 2025 |title=Replacement pre-school plan will be considered |page=40 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* Daven Primary School<ref>{{cite news|date=7 December 2023 |title=Launch of new family hub in the town centre |page=40|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*Havannah Primary School<ref>{{cite news|last=Greensmith|first=Alex|date=14 February 2023|title= £1000 mental health boost to Congleton primary school |work=Congleton Nub News|url= https://congleton.nub.news/news/local-news/ps1000-mental-health-boost-to-congleton-primary-school-171479|access-date=2023-03-11}}</ref>
* Marlfields Primary Academy<ref>{{cite news|last=Connolly |first=James |date= 30 March 2023 |title= Ofsted condemned after teacher's death |page=5|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* [[Mossley CE Primary School]]<ref>{{cite web|date=18 June 2024|title=Officers work hard to keep road users safe |website=Cheshire Constabulary|department=News|url= https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2024/6/officers-work-hard-to-keep-road-users-safe/ |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref>
* St Mary's Catholic Primary School<ref>{{cite news|date= 1 December 2022 |title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "10 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* The Quinta Primary School<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walker|first=Melanie|date=27 March 2025 |title=Tree-planting method hails from Far East|page=10 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>

===High and secondary schools===
* [[Congleton High School]]<ref>{{cite news|date= 23 March 2023 |title= Another 'good' Ofsted is 'fair assessment' |page=40|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* [[Eaton Bank Academy]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Greensmith|first=Alex |date=9 December 2022 |title=Congleton: Former Eaton Bank pupils raise thousands for cancer charity |url=https://congleton.nub.news/news/local-news/congleton-former-eaton-bank-pupils-raise-thousands-for-cancer-charity-162849 |work=Congleton Nub News|access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref>

=== Special and alternative schools===
* Aidenswood School<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aidenswood School |url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/125814 |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref>
* Esland Daven School<ref>{{cite news|title=Expanding specialist school records a loss|date=18 July 2024|department=Business News|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]|page=10}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:John Bradshaw, George Perfect Harding.png|thumb|upright=0.5|John Bradshaw]]
[[File:Elizabeth Wolstenholme 001.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Elizabeth Wolstenholme]]
[[File:George Eardley VC.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|George Harold Eardley VC MM]]
[[File:Jackie Oates 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Jackie Oates, 2010]]
[[File:Ann Packer (1964).jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Ann Packer, 1964]]

=== Public service and commerce ===
* Saint [[Margaret Ward]] (ca.1550 – 1588), the "pearl of Tyburn", English Catholic martyr<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Margaret Ward |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15551b.htm |website=newadvent.org}}</ref> executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for assisting a priest to escape from prison<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2024 |title='Pearl of Tyburn stood for what she believed'|page=14 |newspaper=Congleton Chronicle}}</ref>
* [[John Bradshaw (judge)|John Bradshaw]] (1602–1659), judge,<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Bradshaw, John (1602-1659) |volume= 06 |last= Lee |first= Sidney |author-link= Sidney Lee | page= 178-181 |short= 1}}</ref> sat as President of the [[High Court of Justice]] for the trial of King Charles I, Mayor of Congleton 1637–1638
* [[John Whitehurst]] (1713–1788), clockmaker<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Whitehurst, John |volume= 61 |last= Carlyle |first= E.I. |author-link= E. I. Carlyle | page= 108-109 |short= 1}}</ref> and scientist, member of the [[Lunar Society]]
* [[Sir John Parnell, 2nd Baronet]] (1744–1801), Anglo-Irish Member of Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=PARNELL, Sir John, 2nd Bt. (1744-1801), of Rathleague, Queen's Co. {{!}} History of Parliament Online |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1790-1820/member/parnell-sir-john-1744-1801 |website=historyofparliamentonline.org}}</ref> his family originally migrated to Ireland from Congleton
* [[Robert Hodgson (dean of Carlisle)|Robert Hodgson]] (1773–1844), priest, [[Dean of Carlisle]]
* [[Thomas Reade (British Army officer)|Sir Thomas Reade]] (1782–1849), British Army Officer and Napoleon's Jailer.<ref>{{Cite news|date= 11 July 2024 |title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "10 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
* [[Gibbs Antrobus]] (1793–1861), diplomat and politician,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANTROBUS, Gibbs Crawfurd (1793-1861), of Eaton Hall, nr. Congleton, Cheshire and 11 Grosvenor Square, Mdx. {{!}} History of Parliament Online |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/antrobus-gibbs-1793-1861 |website=historyofparliamentonline.org}}</ref> long-established family in Congleton
* [[Hewett Watson]] (1804–1881), phrenologist, botanist and evolutionary theorist
* [[William Newton (trade unionist)|William Newton]] (1822–1876), trade unionist, journalist and Chartist
* [[Dennis Bradwell]] (1828–1897), silk mill owner and Mayor of Congleton 1875–1878.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Congleton: Published to Celebrate the 700th Anniversary of the Granting of the Charter to the Town |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ydFRAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA151 |first=W. B. |last=Stephens |publisher=Manchester University Press |date=1970 |location=Congleton|pages=151| isbn=9780719012457|via=Google Books }}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Clarke Wolstenholme Elmy|Elizabeth Wolstenholme]] (1833–1918), [[Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom|suffragist]], essayist and poet<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2022 |title='Our Elizabeth' cemented in town's history |newspaper=Congleton Chronicle|url=https://www.chronicleseries.com/our-elizabeth-cemented-in-towns-history/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317015146/https://www.chronicleseries.com/our-elizabeth-cemented-in-towns-history/ |archive-date=17 March 2022}}</ref>
* [[Gerald Harrison]] (1883–1943), Royal Navy Rear-Admiral<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7604068 |title=Catalogue description<br>Name Harrison, Gerald Cartmell<br>Date of Birth: 8 October 1883<br> Rank: ... |date=1898-05-15 |publisher=United Kingdom National Archives}}</ref> and cricketer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gerald Harrison Profile – Cricket Player England {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/gerald-harrison-14060 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* [[Theodora Turner]] (1907–1999), born in Congleton, nurse<ref>{{Cite news |date=1999-08-31 |title=Obituaries: Theodora Turner |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituaries-theodora-turner-1114720.html |access-date=2023-09-02 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> and hospital matron.
* [[Frank Kearton, Baron Kearton]]  (1911–1992), life peer, scientist and industrialist
* [[George Harold Eardley]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alcock |first=Joan P. |title=History & Guide Congleton |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |date=30 June 2003 |isbn=0752429469 |location=Stroud |page=95}}</ref><!-- Book does not say whether it was the French or Belgian Croix de Guerre that was awarded to George Harold Eardley-->(1912–1991), received the [[Victoria Cross]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36870|supp=y|page=139|date=29 December 1944}}</ref> in 1944<ref>{{Cite web|title=George Harold Eardley|url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/cheshire.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527162824/http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/cheshire.htm|archive-date=27 May 2012|website=victoriacross.org.uk}}</ref>
* [[John Blundell (economist)|John Blundell]] (1952–2014), Director General<ref>[https://www.atlasnetwork.org/news/article/in-memoriam-john-blundell-1952-2014 ATLAS NETWORK, 22 July 2014, IN MEMORIAM: JOHN BLUNDELL (1952–2014)] retrieved December 2017</ref> at the [[Institute of Economic Affairs]]
* [[Dawn Gibbins]] (1961–2022)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Laura |date=15 February 2022 |title=Tributes as 'secret millionaire' Dawn dies after 30 years of business brilliance |newspaper=Stoke Sentinel |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/business/tributes-secret-millionaire-dawn-dies-6657862.amp |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215054911/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/business/tributes-secret-millionaire-dawn-dies-6657862.amp |archive-date=15 February 2022}}</ref> entrepreneur,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coventry |first=Laura |date=7 January 2011 |title=Appearance on Secret Millionaire inspired me to change direction in life, reveals entrepreneur Dawn Gibbins |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/appearance-on-secret-millionaire-inspired-me-to-change-1091550 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014645/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/appearance-on-secret-millionaire-inspired-me-to-change-1091550 |archive-date=14 February 2018}}</ref> started flooring company Flowcrete in [[Sandbach]] with her father.
*[[Sarah Russell (politician)|Sarah Alison Russell]] (born unknown) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarah Russell |url=https://www.congletonlabourparty.co.uk/sarah-russell |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=www.congletonlabourparty.co.uk}}</ref> MP for [[Congleton (UK Parliament constituency)|Congleton constituency]] since 5 July 2024.

=== Arts ===
* [[Alan Garner]] (born 1934),<ref>{{cite book |title=A Fine Anger: A Critical Introduction to the Work of Alan Garner |last=Philip |first=Neil |year=1981 |publisher=Collins |location=London |isbn=978-0-00-195043-6|page=11}}</ref> novelist best known for his children's fantasy novels
* [[Louise Plowright]] (1956–2016), actress<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12182352/Louise-Plowright-actress-obituary.html|title=Louise Plowright, actress - obituary|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 March 2016|access-date=7 January 2025|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210215903/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12182352/Louise-Plowright-actress-obituary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Emma Bossons]] (born 1976 in Congleton), ceramic artist and designer for [[Moorcroft]] Pottery<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Melanie |date=9 March 2023 |title=Potter is 'honoured' to be Throw Down judge |page=14 |newspaper=Congleton Chronicle}}</ref>
* [[Jackie Oates]] (born 1983 in Congleton),<ref>{{cite news|url= https://congleton.nub.news/news/local-news/congleton-musician-launches-traditional-folk-music-project-for-kids|title= Congleton musician launches traditional folk music project for kids|last=Greensmith|first=Alex|publisher=Congleton Nub News|department=Local News|date=2 March 2022| access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> folk singer and fiddle player

=== Sports ===
* [[Tommy Clare]] (1865–1929), international footballer (right-back) and football manager<ref>[http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1204 SoccerBase Database] retrieved December 2017</ref>
* [[George Clawley]] (1875–1920), football goalkeeper who played 331 games for [[Southampton F.C.]] & [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Spurs]]
* [[William Yates (athlete)|William Yates]] (1880–1967), racewalker, competed at the [[1912 Summer Olympics]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ya/william-yates-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418042956/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ya/william-yates-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-04-18|title=William Yates Bio, Stats, and Results|website=Olympics at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
* [[Hugh Moffat (footballer)|Hugh Moffat]] (1885–1952), footballer, played 201 games for [[Burnley F.C.]] and 162 for [[Oldham Athletic F.C.]]
* [[Ann Packer]] (born 1942) and [[Robbie Brightwell]] (1939–2022),<ref>{{cite news |title=Remembering Robbie Brightwell |url=https://www.teamgb.com/article/remembering-robbie-brightwell/6XiHQAQ4tE1u0xPLjsqyVj |access-date=14 March 2022 |publisher=Team GB |date=7 March 2022}}</ref> husband-and-wife [[Gold medal|Olympic gold medal]] athletes at the [[1964 Summer Olympics]]. She lives locally.
* [[Ian Brightwell]] (born 1968), former [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] footballer with 464 club caps; grew up in Congleton
* [[Paul Ware]] (1970–2013), footballer who played 233 games including 155 for [[Stoke City F.C.]]
* [[John Gimson]] (born 1983), sailor, silver medallist at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], lives in Congleton.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bottomley |first=Lee |date=27 September 2023 |title=Olympians claim Irish Sea sailing record |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-66939940 |access-date=2023-09-28 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
* [[Amy Rodgers]] (born 2000), football player for Bristol City WFC and Scotland,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=673615&lid=2 |title=Amy Rodgers |publisher=Scottish FA |access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> started her career at Vale Juniors Congleton.

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in England}}
Congleton is twinned with:
* [[Trappes]], France, since 16 September 1962<ref>{{cite web |title=Les jumelages|url=https://www.trappes.fr/mairie/decouvrir-la-ville/les-jumelages|website=trappes.fr|publisher=Trappes|language=fr|access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref>

== Aldermen, alderwomen and freemen ==
The following is a list of people who have been either an alderman, alderwoman or freeman of Congleton, and when the title was bestowed.
{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*A.J. Solly<ref>{{Cite news|date= 9 December 2021 |title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "100 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*Solly<ref>{{Cite news|date= 26 September 2024 |title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "100 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref><!-- Cite does not give full name, so this Alderman could be A.J. Solly who is mentioned above, however no evidence to back this up yet -->
*Ernest Hancock<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alcock |first=Joan P. |title=History & Guide Congleton |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |date=30 June 2003 |isbn=0752429469 |location=Stroud |page=100}}</ref>
*J.A. Clayton<ref name="ChroniclingThePast">{{Cite news|date= 8 February 2024 |title= Chronicling the past<br>Bringing old characters to life |page=27|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*John Smith<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alcock |first=Joan P. |title=History and Guide Congleton |publisher=Tempus Publishing Ltd |date=30 June 2003 |isbn=0752429469 |location=Stroud |page=115}}</ref>
*Massie Harper<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2022 |title=Remarkable family with local link |page=7 |newspaper=Congleton Chronicle}}</ref>
*Harold Burns<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 1972 |title=BY-PASS YES,<br />BUT MAYOR<br />HAS MIXED<br />FEELINGS |page=12 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/868443351/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*H.W. Howard<ref name="ChroniclingThePast" />
*W.I. Fern [[Justice of the peace|J.P.]]<ref name="DayByDay">{{Cite news |date=15 May 1934 |title=* DAY BY DAY * |page=6 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/808032261/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*S. Maskery<ref name="GrandOldMan">{{Cite news |date=4 September 1931 |title=CONGLETON'S<br />"GRAND<br />OLD MAN."<br />79th Birthday of<br />Ald. S. Maskery.<br />SEVEN TIMES MAYOR. |page=3 |newspaper=Evening Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/808841702/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*Fred Jackson (alderman and freeman)<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 October 1953 |title=Honouring Congleton Public Men |page=2 |newspaper=Evening Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111567939/honouring-congleton-public-men/ |access-date=19 October 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*Frederick Barton<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 November 1945 |title=ANOTHER ALDERMAN RESIGNS |page=1 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*D. Charlesworth<ref name="RoyalTour">{{Cite news |date=5 May 1972 |title=Thrilling start to Royal tour with 'meet the people' stroll |page=Front page |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/868115615/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*W.H. Semper<ref name="RoyalTour" />
*R.A. Daniel<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH">{{Cite news |date=30 October 1953 |title=HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH |page=4 |newspaper=Staffordshire Weekly Sentinel |url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/staffordshire-weekly-sentinel-potteries/127049183/ |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*S. Moores<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH" />
*A. Gleeson<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH" />
*Jackson [[Justice of the peace|JP]]<ref>{{Cite news|date= 17 August 2023|title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "100 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref><!-- Cite does not give full name, so this Alderman could be Fred Jackson who is mentioned above; however, no evidence to back this up yet -->
*F Jackson<ref>{{Cite news|date= 15 August 2024|title= Extracts from the Chronicle Files "100 years ago" |department= Glancing Back|page=6|newspaper=Congleton Chronicle}}</ref><!-- Cite does not give full name, so this Alderman could be Fred Jackson who is mentioned above, however no evidence to back this up yet -->
*Shepard<ref name="SEATVACANT">{{Cite news |date=4 September 1931 |title=CONGLETON TOWN COUNCIL<br>ALDERMANIC SEAT VACANT|page=3 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |url= https://www-newspapers.com/image/973077680/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 April 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*Wright<ref name="SEATVACANT" />
*Isaac Salt<ref name="SEATVACANT" />
*W. H. Semper<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 1963 |title=Congleton still friends with twin town|page=2 |newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]] |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/868443956/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 September 2025 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*M. Pass ( 1937)<ref>{{Cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ydFRAQAAIAAJ |title=History of Congleton<br> Published to Celebrate the 700th Anniversary of the Granting of the Charter to the Town |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1970 |editor-last=Stevans |editor-first=W.B. |location=Manchester |page=108 |isbn=978-0-7190-1245-7 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
*Frank Dale (Freeman 1938, Alderman ???)<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH" />
*G. Rowell (November 1945)<ref name="ThreenewAldermen">{{Cite news |date=11 November 1945 |title=Three new Aldermen |page=8 |newspaper=[[Congleton Chronicle]]}}</ref>
*W. Newton (November 1945)<ref name="ThreenewAldermen" />
*W.F. O'Reilly (November 1945)<ref name="ThreenewAldermen" />
}}

== Freedom of Congleton ==
The following is a list of people who have had freedom of Congleton and when the freedom was bestowed.
*S. Maskery (Freedom of the Borough of Congleton early 1900s)<ref name="GrandOldMan"/>
*W.L. Fern (Freedom of the Borough of Congleton 14 May 1934)<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 1934 |title=Freedom of Congleton |page=10 |newspaper=Evening Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/808032496/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 June 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*W. I. Fern  (Freedom of the Borough of Congleton 14 May 1934)<ref name="DayByDay"/>
*Frank Dale (Freedom of the Borough of Congleton October 1953)<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH" />
*Harry Williams (Freedom of the Borough of Congleton October 1953)<ref name="HONORARYFREEDOMOFTHEBOROUGH" />

==Awards==
[[File:Congleton Award plaques one.jpg|thumb|Award Plaques for awards the town of Congleton has won]]
[[File:Congleton Award plaques Two.jpg|thumb|Award Plaques for awards the town of Congleton has won]]
The following is a list of awards the town of Congleton has won and the year the awards were won.
*World Record: Smallest Cow (???)<ref name="WorldRecords" />
*Civic Pride Award (1997){{refn|group=nb|name=PlaquePhoto1|Source Top photo of Award plaques}}
*Civic Pride Competition (1999){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}
*Civic Pride Competition (2001){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}
*Community Pride (2006){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}
*Community Pride (2007){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}
*World Record: Biggest Maypole Dance (21 May 2008)<ref name="WorldRecords" />
*World Record: Most Frisbees Thrown At The Same Time<ref name="WorldRecords" />
*Little Gem (2011){{refn|group=nb|name=PlaquePhoto2|Source Bottom photo of Award plaques}}
*Community Pride (2011){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto2}}
*Community Pride (2012){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto2}}
*Best Kept Village (2018){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}
*Best Kept Village Overall Winner (2018){{refn|group=nb|name= PlaquePhoto1}}

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" heights="120">
File:Dane-in-Shaw bluebells.jpg|[[Hyacinthoides non-scripta|Bluebells]] at Dane-in-Shaw Brook SSI
File:Astbury Mere entrance.jpg|[[Astbury Mere]]
File:Daneside Theatre.jpg|[[Daneside Theatre]] in March 2022
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|Cheshire}}
* [[Listed buildings in Congleton]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book |author=Head, Robert |title=Congleton Past and Present. |url=https://archive.org/details/congletonpastpre01head |publisher= Robert Head  |year=1887}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category}}
* [http://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/ Congleton Town Council website]
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Congleton |volume=6 |short=x}}
* [http://www.congletonmuseum.co.uk/ Congleton Museum] – local history museum and education resource

{{Cheshire}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Congleton]]
[[Category:Towns in Cheshire]]