Congleton hotels

Hotels in Congleton

Known locally as ‘Beartown' based on the legend that the town once sold its bible to pay for a new fighting bear during the days of bear-baiting, between the 16th and 17th centuries, this pretty town is now popular as a perfect base for exploring Cheshire's Peak District.

There is a great range of accommodation in the town and surrounding countryside for you to choose from.

Explore the Peak District

With the Peak District on your doorstep, you'll be spoilt for choice for walking and cycling routes to take you into the heart of the local countryside. You can take a gentle stroll along the River Dane, cycle the Biddulph Valley Way, or take a hike to the atmospheric Mow Cop Castle, a folly built on the site of a prehistoric camp.

If you've had enough of the dry land, Astbury Mere Country Park is the home of watersports in Congleton. Here you can enjoy sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building lessons in stunning surroundings. The Cloudside Shooting Ground is also a popular attraction for visitors wanting to try something new, and even if you don't want to try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, there's a lovely country style clubhouse where you can sip and sip a glass of wine whilst enjoying the views over the Cheshire countryside.

A quirky piece of history in Congleton

If you want to find out more about the local history of Congleton, visit the timber-framed Tudor manor house of Little Moreton Hall – a modern miracle as the entire south wing doesn't have any foundations, so the whole house should technically have tumbled to the ground years ago! It has a duck-filled moat, a pretty knot garden and plenty of open space for the little ones to run around in.

A day on the farm

If you want to keep the family entertained, why not head to the picturesque Glebe Farm, in Astbury Village, just on the outskirts of Congleton, where you can pet the animals, including Martha the cow, and Cornflake the miniature pony; shop for local produce, and enjoy a civilised big breakfast, high tea or refreshing ice cream in the coffee shop.

Eating and drinking in Congleton

The best known and most unique of Congleton's pubs is The Beartown, which brews its own beer using the pure waters of Cheshire. You can also enjoy traditional pub grub at one of the many local establishments or, if you're feeling more sophisticated, head to V Bar, or Quigley's Cocktail Bar, where late nights often turn into early mornings. If you want some entertainment with your pint, the Lion and Swan hosts regular comedy nights, while in The Piano Pub and Kitchen, you can drink and dine to the strains of traditional and modern live piano music.