Crewe

Crewe is a town and civil parish in Cheshire East, England. It lies south of Manchester near Nantwich and forms part of the Cheshire East unitary authority. The town has grown around Crewe railway station and the associated railway works and is known for its railway heritage and industrial history. The population is around 70,000, with a wider urban area in the tens of thousands.

Crewe originated in the 1830s–1840s as a railway junction when the Grand Junction Railway opened a line between Birmingham and Manchester. The station quickly became a major interchange, spurring rapid growth. Crewe Works, a large locomotive construction and maintenance facility established in the 1840s, helped fuel the town’s expansion. It became one of Britain’s leading railway towns, though the works declined in the late 20th century.

In recent decades Crewe has diversified into logistics, manufacturing, retail, and services, aided by its transport links. Administratively, Crewe is part of Cheshire East Council and lies in the Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary constituency. The town is served by Crewe railway station, a major national hub with services to London, the North West, and Scotland; it is near the M6 and other major roads.

Notable sites include the Crewe Heritage Centre, Queen’s Park, and the Lyceum Theatre. The town also has a range of primary and secondary schools and further education facilities to serve its residents.