Market Drayton

Market Drayton
St Mary's Church, Market Drayton
Population	11,773 (2011 census)
OS grid reference	SJ673321
Unitary authority	Shropshire
Ceremonial county	Shropshire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MARKET DRAYTON
Postcode district	TF9
Dialling code	01630
Police	West Mercia
Fire	Shropshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
UK Parliament	North Shropshire

Market Drayton, known locally as simply Drayton, is a market town and civil parish in the county of Shropshire, England. It is located near the Cheshire and Staffordshire borders.

It lies on the River Tern, between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent.

The town was formerly known as Drayton in Hales around 1868 and earlier simply as Drayton around 1695. Drayton is recorded in the Domesday Book as a manor in the hundred of Hodnet. It was held by William Pantulf, Lord of Wem, from Roger de Montgomery, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury. It is listed as having a population of just 5 households in 1086, putting it in the smallest 20% of settlements recorded.

Now, the town has a population of 11,773.

The town had a railway station, however it closed in 1963 during the Beeching cuts. The site of the former station is now a Morrisons supermarket.

The town has a semi-professional football club, Market Drayton Town FC.

Twin towns

Market Drayton is twinned with:

• Arlon, Belgium
• Pézenas, France

Gallery

• 
  Tudor House Hotel, Market Drayton
• 
  The new canalside development
• 
  Drayton Viaduct