Market Drayton is a small market town in north Shropshire in England. The town is situated on the River Tern, between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent, and was formerly known as Drayton in Hales from around 1868 and earlier solely as 'Drayton' around 1695. Market Drayton is on the Shropshire Union Canal and on Regional Cycle Route 75. The A53 road by-passes the town. The counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire are both close by. In accordance with the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 11773 people. In 1245, King Henry III awarded a charter for a weekly Wednesday market, providing the town its existing name. The market continues to be convened every Wednesday. There are a variety of well known landmarks in the town. These feature Pell Wall Hall, Adderley Hall, Buntingsdale Hall, Salisbury Hill, Tyrley Locks on the Shropshire Union Canal and the Thomas Telford designed aqueduct. Fordhall Farm has 140 acres (0.57 km2) of community-owned natural farmland situated off the A53 between the Müller and Tern Hill roundabouts. The farm path is accessible to the public throughout farm shop opening hours, and on the path is the site of Fordhall Castle, an ancient motte and bailey structure which surmounts the River Tern valley. Market Drayton has often been a hotbed for musical 'talent', producing a variety of bands who have advanced on to achieve nationwide praise. In 1981, the town boasted the '2nd finest' school rock band in the nation, TSB National School Band runners up, Monovision. At the very same time, the local youth club were represented by the Platinum Needles in the NAYC Opportunity Rocks competition final. For all of your home improvements, be sure to identify dependable contractors in Market Drayton to make certain of quality.