History of Sandbach

Known as Sanbec in 1086, and Sondbache in 1260, Sandbach derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon sand bæce, which can mean sand stream or sand valley.^[1]

Traces of Settlement are found in Sandbach from Saxon times the town was then called Sanbec, during this time little is known about the town apart from the fact that there were Welsh and Danish raids frequently.^[2] The town's inhabitants were converted to Christianity in the 7th Century by four Priests, Cedda, Adda, Betti and Diuma.^[2] The town has a reading in the Domesday Book from 1086 at that time the town was of a sufficient size to call for a priest and a church.^[2] The reading states

Sanbec: Bigot de Loges. 1 hide and 1½ virgates pay tax. Land for 2 ploughs. 1 Frenchman has ½ plough, 3 slaves. 2 villagers have ½ plough. Church. Woodland. Value TRE 4s; now 8s.^[3]

By the 13th Century much of the land around the townstead of Sandbach was owned by the 1230 High Sheriff of Cheshire, Richard de Sandbach.^[2]

Sandbach has been a market town since 1579 when it was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I due to the petitioning of Sir John Radclyffe of Ordsall who as the largest landowner in Sandbach and the owner of the Old Hall encouraged the farmers of the area to go and hold a market in the town on Thursdays.^[4][5] The actual Charter is still preserved and can be found in Chester, a reproduction can be found in the Sandbach Town Council meeting offices, which are at the Literary Institution. The charter also granted the town the right to hold two annual fairs, which lasted for two days, and were held around Easter and early September. Today the Thursday market is still held outdoors on Scotch Common, and in and around Sandbach Town Hall.^[4] Nearby are some wetlands called Sandbach Flashes.