Brewood combines the history of an old market town with striking architecture and canal-side walks. The town was already flourishing in Anglo-Saxon times; its history is reflected in a variety of ways, from historic buildings to the architecture of its streets. This gives you several specific interests to consider when planning your trip: market history, churches and waterside walks. If you are considering an overnight stay in Brewood, you can first decide whether cultural attractions or walks should be the focus of your visit.
Market history and historic buildings
Brewood is an old market town that was already flourishing in Anglo-Saxon times. Its streets have a timeless character and feature Georgian and Victorian architecture. Speedwell Castle is a distinctive architectural landmark. The Grade II listed building is a mid-18th-century red-brick house on the corner of the former marketplace. Brewood’s market-town character applies to the town as a whole, while the corner of the former marketplace pinpoints the location of the house. Georgian and Victorian architecture, by comparison, characterises the streetscape, while Speedwell Castle’s mid-18th-century origins give it a distinct historical context. Speedwell Castle was used as a shop from around 1896 to 1936. Its construction and subsequent use as a shop mark two separate periods in the history of the house.
Churches and architecture
The churches offer contrasting points of interest. St Mary’s Catholic Church in Brewood was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and is considered a classic example of the English Gothic style. The church houses the statue Our Lady of Brewood, which is associated with a depiction of a weeping figure. At St Mary’s, therefore, the named architectural attribution and a distinctive statue accompany its classification as English Gothic. St Chad’s Church offers a different historical perspective: it has stood in Brewood for centuries. For those interested in cultural history, this offers a comparison between a church with a specific architectural attribution and artwork, and one whose long presence in the town is highlighted.
Walks and the canal
Brewood is near the River Penk and the Shropshire Union Canal. The canal offers a focus for outdoor activities: visitors can walk along the towpath near Brewood. Canal experiences also include nostalgic trips in a horse-drawn boat. If you would like to plan such a trip, check in advance whether it is available on your visit date. The walk and the boat trip offer different experiences: one involves walking along the canal, while the other is a trip in a horse-drawn boat. The Staffordshire Way enters Brewood via Bargate Street and continues to Market Square at the Lion Hotel. If you follow this route, check current path conditions, as they can change.
Discover more destinations: Burntwood, Hilderstone, Pattingham, Hamstall Ridware, Stone, Uttoxeter, Dunston, Coven.
Return to the regional travel guide: Staffordshire.
