Much Wenlock
Much Wenlock is a community as well as parish in Shropshire, England, situated on the A458 road between Shrewsbury and also Bridgnorth. Close by, to the northeast, is the Ironbridge Gorge, as well as the new town of Telford. The civil parish consists of the villages of Homer (1 mile north of the community), Wyke (2 miles northeast), Atterley (2 miles southeast) and Bourton (3 miles southwest). The population of the civil parish, according to the 2001 census, was 2,605, enhancing to 2,877 at the 2011 Census. Much Wenlock was traditionally the primary town of the ancient district of Wenlock. The "Much" was added to the name to differentiate it from the nearby Little Wenlock, and also indicates that it is the larger of both settlements. Remarkable historical attractions in the community are Wenlock Priory as well as the Guildhall. The name Wenlock possibly originates from the Celtic name Wininicas, indicating "white area" (of the sedimentary rock of Wenlock Edge), plus the Old English loca, suggesting "enclosed area". The town was recorded in the Domesday Book as Wenloch. The Wenlock Olympian Games established by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850 are centred in the town. Dr Brookes is credited as a founding father of the modern Olympic Games, and also among the London 2012 Summer Olympics mascots; called Wenlock after the town.
