The town was granted its charter in 1087 and from medieval times was a centre of the wool trade. It flourished during the stage coach era of the early 19^th century but gradually became a backwater with the rise of the railways and associated Victorian building boom. It now attracts visitors from all over the world

As its buildings have hardly changed in centuries uniquely it has the highest percentage of listed buildings on any High Street in Great Britain

There is much to explore including old pubs, art galleries, tea-rooms. antique shops and the church of St John the Baptist is one of the top ten most visited churches in England