Wem | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 52°51′13″N 2°43′36″W / 52.8536°N 2.7267°W | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Constituent country | England |
Region | West Midlands |
Ceremonial county | Shropshire |
Local government | Shropshire |
Website | Wem Town Council |
Norman Castle Town planned | c. 1066 |
Market charter granted | 1202 |
Seat | Edinburgh House |
Government | |
• Type | Town council |
• Governing body | Wem Town Council |
• UK Parliament | North Shropshire |
Area | |
• Total | 1.41 sq mi (3.66 km2) |
Elevation | 269 ft (82 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 6,100 |
Demonym | Wemian |
Time zone | GMT |
• Summer (DST) | BST |
Post code | |
Area code | 01939 |
Police force | West Mercia Police |
Fire service | Shropshire Fire |
Ambulance service | West Midlands |
Website | https://www.wem.gov.uk/ |
Wem is a market town and civil parish in Shropshire, England,[1] 9 miles (14 km) north of Shrewsbury and 9 miles (14 km) south of Whitchurch.
The name is derived from the Old English term wamm, meaning 'marsh".[2]
As a caput of a barony and a large manor and parish Wem was a centre for justice and local government for centuries, and the headquarters of the North Shropshire District Council until Shropshire became a unitary authority. From the 12th century revisions to the hundreds of Shropshire, Wem was within the North Division of Bradford Hundred until the end of the 19th century.[3][4]
It is considered that the landscape around the town may be the inspiration for Shakespeare's play 'As You Like It', a belief reflected in cultural programming in the town.[5]