Much Wenlock is a community and also parish in Shropshire, England, situated on the A458 road in between Shrewsbury and also Bridgnorth. Nearby, to the northeast, is the Ironbridge Gorge, and the brand-new community of Telford. The civil church includes the towns of Homer (1 mile north of the community), Wyke (2 miles northeast), Atterley (2 miles southeast) and also Bourton (3 miles southwest). The population of the civil parish, according to the 2001 census, was 2,605, boosting to 2,877 at the 2011 Census. Much Wenlock was historically the primary town of the old borough of Wenlock. The "Much" was added to the name to distinguish it from the close-by Little Wenlock, and also symbolizes that it is the larger of both settlements. Significant historical attractions in the town are Wenlock Priory and the Guildhall. The name Wenlock possibly originates from the Celtic name Wininicas, suggesting "white area" (in reference to the sedimentary rock of Wenlock Edge), plus the Old English loca, suggesting "enclosed location". The town was recorded in the Domesday Book as Wenloch. The Wenlock Olympian Games developed by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850 are centred in the community. Dr Brookes is credited as a founding father of the contemporary Olympic Games, and among the London 2012 Summer Olympics mascots; called Wenlock after the town.