Audlem

Audlem has a range of shops that attract many visitors as well as catering for its local residents. Audlem Mill, which sits on Audlem Wharf, as well as being a fine canal shop, has just had major success in the British Craft Awards for Stitch Retailer of the Year in the North West, making it one of the best needlework shops in Britain.

Another specialist right in the centre of the village, Audlem CycleSport, a Giant dealer run by qualified British cycling coaches, has just undergone a major refurbishment with a fully equipped workshop, cycle to work schemes, ladies department, parts and accessories, cycle clothing and footwear, nutrition, children’s bikes, Giant finance and a wide range of bikes including Giant, LIV bikes for Ladies, Raleigh and Dawes.

New shops have recently opened too such as LLLLovely, with a range of Snugbury’s ice creams in cones, top quality chocolates and other high quality confectionery. More shops are opening shortly in 11 Cheshire Street alongside JA’s cafe and WineGeek and Audlem’s famous butchers, Oxtail & Trotter.

Older establish businesses include the Old Priest House cafe, hugely popular with the many cyclists that visit Audlem; the Deli cafe and shop; Boots chemists; the Flower Divas shop; a very well stocked Co-op food store and Audlem post office with a wide range of gifts, cards etc,

Williams’ newsagents, which has been trading for over 150 years, stocks an amazing range of goods, including a wide range of DIY, cards, novelties and many Audlem gifts. All together, there is much to see and buy in what is a very lively village..

Add to that three pubs, the Shroppie Fly and the Bridge Inn by the Shropshire Union canal plus The Lord Combermere in the village centre, a fish and chip shop and kebab shop, there’s also much to eat and drink as well as watching the world go by on the canal.

A mile outside is the Overwater marina with mooring for over 200 narrow boats and reached by foot or, at weekends and Bank Holidays, by Audlem Lass, which cruises the canal from Lock 15 to to the marina. There’s a cafe there too for refreshment and lunches.

So, visiting by boat, bike, car (there’s free parking and award winning public toilets run by the village itself), walking on the towpath or many of the public footpaths, you will find a warm welcome in Audlem in Spring and Summer. There’s a huge range of events too, starting with the fabulous free Audlem Music and Arts Festival from during the May Bank Holiday.

Every type of music is catered for: each of the pubs has an outside stage, music indoors too, poetry and an art exhibition. This is said by all to be one of the best Festivals around - and it’s all free.

Other events during the year include: Party on the Park in early July; The Transport Festival and Gathering of historic boats on the canal, both in late July; the Beer Festival in late August; the firework display in early November; “The Big Switch On in late November and singing round the Christmas tree at Christmas.