Market Drayton – Orchard Cottage Campsite.

Friday 14th July 2023

We are only approx an hour from home but a change is as good as a rest and we are in a beautiful spot. It was a rather wet journey here but thankfully it stopped raining shortly after we arrived.

Shortly after we arrived Alison and Peter joined us and a weekend of chatting and catching up on news began aided by a visit to the local pub 800m away.

Saturday 15th July 2023.

The lane outside the campsite is single track and is only used by the local farmer and the residents of a few houses along its length, the lane leads directly to Market Drayton and is approx 1.5 miles long so it was a simple and safe way to walk into town this morning. Market Drayton is close to the Cheshire and Staffordshire borders on the River Tern and the Shropshire Union Canal skirts it. The town is mentioned in the Domesday book and in 1245 it was granted a charter for a weekly market.In 1651 a great fire destroyed 70% of the town, the Buttercross in the centre of town still has a bell on top for people to ring if there’s ever another fire ( I’m sure phoning 999, would be more efficient) .

It was the town’s carnival day and the streets began to be lined to see the carnival floats go by, sadly we missed it as the weather wasn’t too kind and we were constantly being hit by strong squally showers, as there was little shelter we beat a hasty retreat to The Red Lion Pub and Joules Brewery.

We decided to have lunch in the pub (strongly recommend, very nice meals). We sat in the Mouseroom, This room was installed in 2010 with fantastic panelling, church pews, it has 7 carved mice, a nodding mouse with some furniture from the Mouseman apprentices. If you don’t know about the Mouseman look up Robert “mouseman Thompson of Kilburn.

Meal over and a few pints of Joules beer consumed we headed back via a visit to St Mary’s church in town.

I’m told it is a very pleasant and welcoming church inside however I will sadly have to include it in my “Guide to Cathedrals, Churches and other Stately Buildings “ that Layla and I have sat outside whilst others have explored the interior.

Sunday 16th July 2023.

Another day with sudden short heavy showers of rain. We spent the morning walking along the lane to the Shropshire Union Canal at Tyrley Wharf locks. Here we spent a pleasant hour dodging the showers. and helping the narrow boats through the locks, a learning experience for Michelle.

After walking back to the van we had a quick coffee, changed some damp clothes and then walked back up the lane to the pub where we had an excellent Sunday lunch, finished off with sticky toffee pudding 😊

Later in the afternoon we were joined for an hour or two by our youngest daughter Steph and her husband Will ( they live close by). The day closed off with a few drinks with Alison and Peter and a chat of future journeys in the next few months. We have all agreed that this is a site that suits our needs well and we will use again.