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Market Drayton, Shropshire

West Midlands · Population 13,256 · 2.8 sq miles

Avg House Price
£228,000
Schools Rated Good+
89%
Crime vs National
Below average
Avg Broadband
62 Mbps
Nearest GP
0.3 miles

Market Drayton is an attractive and historic market town in north Shropshire, famous above all as the home of gingerbread — a tradition dating back over 200 years that has given the town its affectionate nickname 'the home of gingerbread'. With a population of 13,256, Market Drayton retains a genuine market town character, with a good range of independent shops, a regular street market and an attractive mix of Georgian and Victorian buildings along its main streets.


The town sits on the Shropshire Union Canal, which passes close to the centre and offers pleasant towpath walks. Tudor House and the timber-framed buildings around the town centre reflect Market Drayton's long history as a trading settlement. The town is also notable as the birthplace of Robert Clive (Clive of India), the controversial 18th-century soldier and colonial administrator, who was born nearby at Styche Hall.


Market Drayton enjoys an attractive rural setting in the Shropshire countryside, roughly midway between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent. The surrounding area is excellent walking and cycling country, with the canal towpath, gentle farmland and the nearby Cheshire and Staffordshire borders all within easy reach. House prices average £228,000, reflecting the town's appeal as an attractive, well-served small market town.

Data last updated: June 2026 · Sources: ONS, Land Registry, Ofsted, Police.uk, Ofcom, NHS Digital
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Housing & Property Prices

HM Land Registry
Average Price
£228,000
All property types
Detached
£345,000
Average sold price
Semi-detached
£195,000
Average sold price
Terraced
£158,000
Average sold price
Flat / Maisonette
£115,000
Average sold price
Annual Change
+3.2%
vs previous year
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Schools & Ofsted Ratings

Ofsted
Outstanding
2
schools
Good
6
schools
Requires Improvement
1
schools
Inadequate
0
schools
🔒

Crime Statistics

Police.uk
Crime Rate
38
per 1,000 residents
vs National Avg
Below average
England & Wales
Most Common
Anti-social behaviour
crime category
Anti-social behaviour
248
Violence & sexual
205
Burglary
72
Vehicle crime
84
Shoplifting
98
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Broadband & Connectivity

Ofcom
Average Download
62 Mbps
median speed
Superfast Coverage
85%
30 Mbps+
Ultrafast Coverage
48%
100 Mbps+
Full Fibre (FTTP)
28%
premises
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Health & NHS Access

NHS Digital
Nearest GP Surgery
Market Drayton Medical Practice
0.3 miles away
NHS Trust
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
responsible trust
Nearest Hospital
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
18.4 miles
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Environment & Green Space

DEFRA / ONS
Air Quality Index
Good
annual average
Green Space
58%
of local area
Flood Risk
Low
Environment Agency
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Transport & Connectivity

DfT / National Rail
Nearest Station
Wem Railway Station
9.8 miles
To London
3h 00m (via Crewe)
approx by rail
Nearest Motorway
M6
14.4 miles
Nearest Airport
Manchester Airport
38.4 miles
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Market Drayton at a Glance — Area Scorecard

TownData.co.uk
Overall
8.2
Very Good
Family Life
8.0
Very Good
Schools
8.0
Very Good
Transport
5.0
Average
Nightlife
5.0
Average
Value for Money
8.0
Very Good
Safety
8.0
Very Good
Green Space
8.0
Very Good

Scores calculated from official data sources including ONS, Police.uk, Ofsted and Ofcom. Rated out of 10.

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Who is Market Drayton Good For?

TownData.co.uk
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families
✅ Great for families
💼
Commuters
❌ Poor transport links
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Students
❌ Limited student life
👴
Retirees
✅ Peaceful & well-served
🧑‍💻
Young Professionals
❌ Limited for young pros
🏗️
First-Time Buyers
✅ Affordable area
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Outdoor Lovers
✅ Excellent green space
🌃
Nightlife Seekers
❌ Better options elsewhere
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Things to Do & Local Attractions

VisitBritain
  • 🍪
    Gingerbread Heritage
    Market Drayton has been famous for its gingerbread for over 200 years — several local bakeries still produce the traditional recipe, and the town celebrates this unique culinary heritage with festivals and events.
  • 🚤
    Shropshire Union Canal
    The canal passes close to the town centre, offering attractive towpath walks and canal boat moorings — a peaceful waterside escape within easy walking distance of the shops.
  • 🏘️
    Market Drayton Town Centre
    An attractive mix of Georgian and timber-framed buildings, including the historic Tudor House, line the town's main streets — a classic small Shropshire market town centre.
  • 🛒
    Wednesday Market
    A traditional outdoor market held in the town centre, continuing Market Drayton's centuries-old role as a trading hub for the surrounding rural area.
  • 🏛️
    Clive of India Connection
    Robert Clive, the controversial colonial administrator known as 'Clive of India', was born nearby at Styche Hall in 1725 — a statue and local connections commemorate this significant historical figure.
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Nearby Towns & Villages

ONS / Ordnance Survey
Whitchurch
11.4 miles north-west
Wem
9.8 miles south-west
Hodnet
5.4 miles south-west
Tern Hill
3.2 miles south-west
Shrewsbury
18.4 miles south-west
Newcastle-under-Lyme
16.4 miles east
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Weather & Climate

Met Office
Jan
5°C
Feb
5°C
Mar
8°C
Apr
10°C
May
13°C
Jun
16°C
Jul
18°C
Aug
18°C
Sep
15°C
Oct
11°C
Nov
7°C
Dec
5°C
Annual Rainfall
700mm
mm per year
Sunshine Hours
1440 hrs
per year
Warmest Month
July/Aug
avg high 20°C
Coldest Month
January
avg low 1°C
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Market Drayton a nice place to live?
Market Drayton is a settlement in Shropshire. It has 89% of schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, average house prices of £228,000, and crime that is below average the national average. Use the sections above to explore the full data profile.
What is the average house price in Market Drayton?
The average house price in Market Drayton is £228,000 according to HM Land Registry. This covers all property types. See the housing section above for a full breakdown by property type and annual price change.
Is Market Drayton safe to live in?
Market Drayton's crime rate is below average the national average. See the crime section above for a full breakdown by category.
What are the schools like in Market Drayton?
89% of schools in Market Drayton are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. See the schools section above for a full list with individual Ofsted ratings.
How fast is broadband in Market Drayton?
Average broadband download speeds in Market Drayton are 62 Mbps according to Ofcom. See the broadband section above for superfast and full-fibre coverage figures.

Data sourced from official UK government datasets. All figures are for informational purposes only. TownData.co.uk is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government body.