Wenlock Olympian Society

In the footsteps of William Penny Brookes

The town of Much Wenlock has a long history dating back to 690 AD when a monastery was founded on the site of Wenlock Priory. It is because of a Victorian gentleman however, that the town can boast of its associations with the modern Olympics.

Dr. William Penny Brookes campaigned tirelessly for the revival of the ancient Greek games. For those wishing to delve deeper into this remarkable story there is now a designated walk around the town.

The Wenlock Olympian Trail starts and ends at Much Wenlock Museum in the Square at the end of the High Street. In the museum a magnificent collection of Wenlock Olympian Society artefacts are on display illustrating the significant role of Much Wenlock in the revival of the Modern Olympic Games. The Trail will take you past some of the sites in the town which are special to the Wenlock Olympian Games and Dr William Penny Brookes.

Total walk length is approximately 2150 metres (1.3 miles)

Trail leaflets are available from Much Wenlock Museum, The Guildhall and Wenlock Tourist Information Centre.