What is Market Drayton?
{{infobox UK place |country = England |official_name= Market Drayton | population = 11,773 | population_ref = (2011 census) |unitary_england = [[Shropshire]] |lieutenancy_england= [[Shropshire]] |region= West Midlands |constituency_westminster= [[North Shropshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Shropshire]] |post_town= MARKET DRAYTON |postcode_district = TF9 |postcode_area= TF |dial_code= 01630 |os_grid_reference= SJ673321 |london_distance= |static_image=StMary's,_Market_Drayton-geograph-771033-by-Geoff-Pick.jpg |static_image_caption= St Mary's Church, Market Drayton }} '''Market Drayton''', known locally as simply '''Drayton''', is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in the county of [[Shropshire]], [[England]]. It is located near the [[Cheshire]] and [[Staffordshire]] borders. It lies on the [[River Tern]], between [[Shrewsbury]] and [[Stoke-on-Trent]]. The town was formerly known as '''Drayton in Hales''' around [[1868]] and earlier simply as '''Drayton''' around [[1695]]. Drayton is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] as a manor in the hundred of [[Hodnet, Shropshire|Hodnet]]. It was held by [[William Pantulf]], Lord of [[Wem]], from [[Roger de Montgomery]], 1st Earl of [[Shrewsbury]]. It is listed as having a population of just 5 households in [[1086]], putting it in the smallest 20% of settlements recorded. Now, the town has a population of 11,773. The town had a [[railway station]], however it closed in 1963 during the [[Beeching cuts]]. The site of the former station is now a [[Morrisons]] supermarket. The town has a semi-professional [[Association football|football]] club, [[Market Drayton Town F.C.|Market Drayton Town FC]]. == Twin towns == Market Drayton is twinned with: *{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Arlon]], [[Belgium]] *{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Pézenas]], [[France]] ==Gallery== <gallery> File:MarketDraytonTudorHouseHotel.jpg|Tudor House Hotel, Market Drayton File:New_canalside_development_at_Market_Drayton,_Shropshire_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1332090.jpg|The new canalside development File:Drayto