Before London became England’s capital, a small market town held the seat of royal power as the heart of the mighty Mercian Kingdom — and its fascinating history still lives on today
The town is only 12 square miles in size and is now home to 80,000 people(Image: Adrian Newton via Getty Images)
London is England’s capital today — a city known worldwide for finance, culture, education and tourism, and home to around nine million people. But the idea of one permanent capital is relatively modern. In early medieval England, power shifted between kingdoms, and the places that mattered most were often far smaller than the capital we know now.
One of the most significant was Tamworth.
Now a market town in Staffordshire, roughly 14 miles North-east of Birmingham, Tamworth was once at the centre of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. During the 8th and 9th centuries, it served as Mercia’s capital, becoming a regular base for kings and a focal point for royal administration. Though it covers only around 12 square miles, the town’s importance was outsized: Mercian rulers are said to have spent more time there than anywhere else, particularly during the reign of King Offa.
Tamworth’s status as a strategic stronghold continued after 1066, when the Norman Conquest transformed England’s political landscape. While Offa is believed to have had a palace in the town, the best-known landmark associated with Tamworth today was built later. Tamworth Castle was constructed around 1070 by Robert Despenser, steward to William the Conqueror, on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon stronghold — reinforcing the area’s longstanding defensive value.
More than 900 years on, the castle still dominates the town. It is regarded as one of England’s best-preserved motte-and-bailey castles and is open to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore Tamworth’s Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Victorian history through interactive displays, walk through furnished rooms, climb the tower and take in views across the surrounding area.
Over time, London’s position as the country’s political centre became more firmly established, especially following the events of 1066. William the Conqueror made London the focus of royal authority, helping to set it on the path to becoming the seat of government.
Tamworth, however, remains proud of its earlier role. Today it is a thriving town of around 80,000 residents, where modern shops, restaurants and leisure attractions sit alongside heritage sites and a traditional market area — reminders of a place that once stood at the heart of one of England’s most powerful kingdoms.
What is there to do in Tamworth today?
Tamworth may be best known for its rich history — but many of its biggest draws today are firmly modern. The Snowdome, the UK’s first indoor snow centre, is a go-to for learning to ski or sharpening your snowboarding skills, while Drayton Manor Park combines a major theme park with a zoo for a full day out.
While Tamworth Castle is arguably one of the town’s more famous attractions, the 11th-century Middleton Hall and the 600-acre Kingsbury Water Park are also nearby.
With hotels close to the main sights, it’s easy to get around — and once the day’s done, the town has plenty to offer after dark. From stylish bars and traditional pubs to late-night clubs, plus a wide choice of cafés, bistros and restaurants.
What other towns used to be the capital of England?
Tamworth is not the only town with a claim to “capital” status.
Winchester was the capital of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex and a major centre of royal power and religion before London rose to dominance, housing the royal court, treasury and key institutions.
In the 10th century, Athelstan — often described as the first king of all England and a grandson of Alfred the Great — declared Malmesbury his capital after defeating northern English and Scottish forces.
Colchester, meanwhile, is frequently described as Britain’s oldest recorded town and became the capital of Roman Britain in AD49.