Wellington (Shropshire)

Wellington is a market town within Telford, Shropshire. It contains perhaps the largest commercial space outside of Telford's town centre. It is the part of Telford furthest west, both by motorway and by rail. Oftentimes, "Wellington" is referred to as a town of its own, including in addresses or in conversation - for example, within its own Town Council (Wellington Town Council).

Understand

Wellington is a very old town, existing at least since the Domesday Book, which states a permanent population of 20, one of which being a priest, likely serving the long-standing church that still holds mass to this day. Wellington obtained a market charter in 1244, and the market created from this charter still exists today - although not in its original building. The market hall is filled with independent shops, selling many different categories of items. The surrounding pedestrian streets also hold many shops and restaurants; some of which being independent, and some being nation-wide chains.

Many mentions of folklore and local idioms refer to the Wrekin, a hill, the peak of which is around 2-3 miles away from the center of Wellington. Local idioms include "All around the Wrekin" to mean "The long way round", and folklore includes The Wrekin Giant, a giant that supposedly was on his way to Shrewsbury to flood the town using dirt he had picked up with his shovel, but upon being informed of how far away it was, left the dirt, creating the Wrekin, and scraping the mud off his shoes, creating the smaller Ercall Hill nearby. Many places around the town are named after the hill, for example Wrekin College, the Wrekin Inn, or even the borough itself - named "Telford and Wrekin".

In 1968, Wellington was integrated as part of Telford. Since, much business has been removed from Wellington itself and has moved towards more modernised commercial spaces within Telford, primarily Telford Shopping Centre. On days that the market is open, the town is full of very friendly townspeople until around 2PM. Around 3:20PM-4PM, the town is full of schoolchildren from the surrounding two secondary schools. After this, the town is fairly empty, often having only shoppers, people walking to and from pubs, or people simply walking through the town on their way elsewhere.

Get in

By train

Regular trains run from Birmingham (England) to Shrewsbury (England)/Aberystwyth/Holyhead and back, passing through Wellington and the other two stations within Telford (Oakengates and Telford Central). The railway station has a car park and easy pedestrian access to the centre of the town or the bus station.

By car

The M54 coming from the West Midlands conurbation stops at one of the two exits in Wellington, instead turning into the A5 continuing onto Shrewsbury. While parking is available short-term next to the Leisure Center and the pedestrianised areas of the town, for long-term parking one may wish to park where they are staying or at the train station's car park, although be aware that this car park is often full.

By bus

There are many bus routes coming into Wellington from outside. Many come from and/or through other areas of Telford, such as Donnington, Telford Centre, Lawley, or even as far as Madeley. There are only three bus routes, however, that come into Wellington. These are the X7 from Shrewsbury (England), active only on college days (relative to Shropshire, rather than Telford and Wrekin, when they differ) around 5pm, the 17/17A from Shrewsbury (England), running hourly through most of the day. There is also the 16 from Rodington, running only two or three times a day.

Get around

There are various bus routes around Wellington, almost all of which pass through the Wellington bus station in the centre of the town, accessible by steps from the train station or with a short walk through the main pedestrian street and a parking lot. Alternatively, an alley is located next to the Wetherspoons on the main pedestrian street that leads to the bus station.

All bus routes within Wellington are ran by Arriva or the Telford and Wrekin Council (the latter of which use numbers starting with 100). Information on buses, including arrival and information on what areas they are passing through, is shown on boards within specific bus stops on the station, or on a larger board. Do note that this board shows railway connections on one side, and bus connections on the other. On the side showing bus connections, it is possible to input your destination to see a view of how to get there, however this is simply a simplified Google Maps map.

Most bus routes will stop around 5-6pm.

Most of Wellington can be traversed easily by foot, with the town taking around 40 minutes to walk through on its longer axis (north-south). Most of this is residential space. The commercial space can be traversed within 10 minutes.

See

• 1 Sunnycroft, ☏ +44 1952 242884. Victorian villa overseen by the National Trust. (updated Feb 2018)

Buy

The centre contains many shops, some chains, and some local independent shops. To find independent shops, it is advised to come in on a day that the Wellington Market is open, and walk in and around the market. Many cafes and smaller independent businesses, such as focusing on art, musical supplies, or sustainable goods, can be found close to the market, while in the market itself, many smaller typically family-ran cafes and shops can be found, selling items varying from clothing, to coffee, even to fruits and vegetables.

Due to the large foreign population nearby, there are three Polish shops situated within the town centre, all nearer to the top of the main pedestrian street. Two of these focus on polish foods, while the third focuses on Eastern European foods in general.

Drink

Coffee

Coffee beans (also offered ground on-site) can be found in two shops.

• The Green Cove, within the market. The shop focuses on providing re-fills for many items, from coffees or teas, even to fluids such as dishwashing liquid. The shop also sells sustainably made items, such as toothbrushes and soaps.
• The Little Green Pantry - Zero Waste, a short walk from the market. Provides re-filling services similarly to The Green Cove, however with a larger focus on sustainably made items such as jewellery and toothbrushes.

Freshly made coffee can be found in many places, however below are listed interesting places to visit.

• 1 Gratitude Cafe, 10 Duke St. a cafe that hosts open mic and karaoke nights once a month, while also acting as a venue to rent on unused nights. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Boardroom Gaming Cafe, 13 New St. a boardgame cafe that charges an hourly fee to be able to play board games along with any food or drink ordered. You do not have to pay this fee if wishing to not play games. If arranged with management, a room upstairs can be used for hire. (updated Mar 2023)

Sleep

• 1 The Old Orleton, 378 Holyhead Rd, TF1 2HA. 8 bedroom inn, with bar and restaurant (mains from £15). £63 - £90. (updated Mar 2023)

Stay safe

The pedestrian streets in the centre of the town may have drunk people past sunset. It is suggested that you avoid walking past pubs with people outside them, especially if they appear confrontational.

Homeless people may be seen around the streets of central Wellington, typically moreso during the day rather than the night. They will usually not approach strangers nor be begging, however most will be accepting donations in the form of change, sometimes with signs. Police will often ask these people to move.

Bikes or scooters are often ridden at fast speed through the main pedestrian street. Always look ahead when walking up the incline, or behind you when walking down the incline.

Go next

• Shrewsbury (England), the capital of Shropshire and a local medieval market town. The birthplace of Charles Darwin. A commercial center for many surrounding areas.
• Telford, the town that Wellington is part of. The shopping centre may be of interest for shopping, due to its easy access.
• Ironbridge, the place of the first iron bridge in the world, and a UNESCO heritage site. Accessible by bus from Wellington - take the 4 Arriva bus, getting off at Woodside, and enjoy a 20 minute walk, or change at Telford Town Centre to the 8 bus.
• Bridgnorth