-->England-->Cheshire-->Congleton

Local Information for Congleton

Congleton is a town in the county of Cheshire in the north west of England, on the banks of the River Dane, and to the west of the Macclesfield Canal. It has a population (2001 Census) of 22,763.

It is thought to have been a Roman settlement, and in 1272 it received its charter to hold fairs and markets. King Edward I granted permission to build a mill. Congleton became an important centre of textile production, especially lace and leather gloves. The neighbouring town of Buglawton was incorporated into Congleton borough in 1936. Since 1974 Congleton borough has covered much of south-east Cheshire.

Congleton became notorious in the 1620s when bear-baiting was a popular sport. Congleton owned an old and rather decrepit bear and was unable to attract large crowds to their bear-baiting contests, but also lacked the money to pay for a new and more aggressive bear. It did however have a sum of money saved to buy a new bible. The town decided to use the money in the bible ...More