Major city · United Kingdom
Wem
Skip Wem unless you have a car and a specific reason to see the Hawkstone Follies or play golf: a half-day stop at most, not a base.
Wem is a small market town in Shropshire with one major draw: the Hawkstone Follies, a restored 18th-century landscape of cliffs, caves and monuments 3 miles east. The town itself has a Co-op, a few pubs and a train station with hourly-ish service to Shrewsbury (20 min). Without a car you can see the follies by taxi, but the town offers little else for a traveller. Most visitors use it as a lunch stop on a Shropshire drive or a golf weekend at Hawkstone Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (follies may close in wet weather; check)
- Airports
- MAN · BHX
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Wem999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wem, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyWem is a quiet, low-crime town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 fire and ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAN Manchester Airport (about 1 h 15 min drive; train via Crewe or Shrewsbury, about 2 h).
- Getting aroundWem is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeecheck£2.50–3.50 (≈ US$4–5)
- BeerPint of beercheck£4–5 (≈ US$6–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Wem station to Hawkstone Folliescheck£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
- Budget bedHotel double room (Old Rectory or Soulton Hall), a night, per room£80 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room (Old Rectory or Soulton Hall), a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel double room (Old Rectory or Soulton Hall), a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £30 (≈ US$40) · Mid £60 (≈ US$80) · High £120 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAN Manchester Airport (about 1 h 15 min drive; train via Crewe or Shrewsbury, about 2 h) · BHX Birmingham Airport (about 1 h 30 min drive; train via Birmingham New Street, about 2 h 15 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wem: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Wem is walkable. Taxis from the station to Hawkstone Follies cost about £8–12 (check). A local bus runs from the Co-op around the housing estates (from 20p).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shrewsbury
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Train from Wem, about 20 min, roughly every 2 h
Larger town with a castle, river and market.
Hawkstone Follies
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Taxi from Wem, about 10 min
The main reason to visit Wem; check opening times.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hawkstone Park
Two golf courses and a hotel; 3 miles east of town. Best for golfers.
Wem town centre
Old Rectory Hotel and Soulton Hall; both within walking distance of the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £30–50 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- £50–100 (≈ US$70–140) excl. bed
- High
- £100 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room (Old Rectory or Soulton Hall)1 × 1 night × £100 | £100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £60 | £120 |
| Train Shrewsbury–Wem return2 × £6 · check | £12 |
| Taxi Wem station to Hawkstone Follies1 × £12 · check | £12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £24 |
| Trip total≈ £134 per person per day, bed included | £268≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in GBP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pint of beercheck | £4–5 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Coffeecheck | £2.50–3.50 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Taxi Wem station to Hawkstone Folliescheck | £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Train Shrewsbury–Wem single | £3.10 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hawkstone Follies opening hours and entry price are not confirmed: check the official site before going.
- Trains from Shrewsbury run roughly every 2 hours; check the return time before you go.
- No ATM in the town centre (check); bring cash for pubs and taxis.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire and ambulance
- 999
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WemWem
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire and ambulance999
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Shrewsbury → Wem: about £3.10 (≈ US$5), 20 min
- Taxi Wem → Hawkstone Follies: £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hel-oh)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank yoo)
- One pint, please — One pint, please (wun pint pleez)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (wair iz thuh toy-let)
English is the only language you need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wem. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (follies may close in wet weather; check) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialWem Town Council
- officialNational Rail – Wem station
- officialHawkstone Follies
- secondaryWikivoyage: Wem, revision 4839021 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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