Market Drayton is a market town in north Shropshire, England. It is on the River Tern, between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent, and was formerly known as "Drayton in Hales" (c. 1868) and earlier simply as "Drayton" (c. 1695). Market Drayton is on the Shropshire Union Canal and on National Cycle Route 75. The A53 road by-passes the town. Although near the Western edge of England, very close to Wales, it can be said to be the most central town in England by means of a geomeric exercise : if one draws a rectangle just touching the north, south, east and west extremities of the country (including the Isles of Scilly), the central point falls about two miles south of the town, near the village of Woodseaves. There are a number of 17th and 18th century half-timbered buildings in the town centre, as well as a restored Norman church, St. Mary's, next to the Grammar School of 1558. The town's marketplace is ancient, with a market charter granted from 1246, and the market continues today. The great fire of Drayton destroyed almost 70% of the town in the 17th century. It was started at a baker's, and quickly spread through the timber buildings. The Buttercross in the centre of the town still has a bell at the top for people to ring if there was ever another fire. Ancient local sites include: Audley's Cross, Blore Heath the site of a major War of the Roses battle; and several Neolithic standing stones, "The Devil's Ring and Finger", just three miles from the town. Other interesting sites worth investigating further in the Market Drayton area include: Pell Wall Hall, Buntingsdale Hall, Salisbury Hill, Tyrley Locks on the Shropshire Union Canal and the Thomas Telford designed aqueduct. Also you will find available just outside of the town proper, an opportunity to experience a bit of English countryside at Fordhall Farm[5], which consists of 140 acres of community-owned organic farmland located off of the A53 between the Müller and Tern Hill roundabouts. The farm trail is open to the public during farm shop opening hours, and included along the path is the site of an ancient motte and bailey structure which overlooks the River Tern valley. Many of the streets in the town are named after famous castles, such as Balmoral Drive, Caernavon Close, Windsor Drive, Warwick Close, and many others. More on Market Drayton