Sandbach is a market town in the east of the county.
Sandbach derives it's name from the Anglo-Saxon for sand stream or valley (bæce). Two Saxon crosses in the market square are survivors from at least the 9th century or earlier (see photo below). By the time of the Domesday Book the village was known as Sanbec, though the name was written as Sandbitch by the 18th century. Sandbach became a market town in 1579, being granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth.
St Mary's church dates from the 16th century and was built on the site of a Saxon church.
By the 17th century, Sandbach was well known for the brewing industry, ale brewed in Sandbach was popular even as far away as London. In the 19th century silk mills were a major industry in the town. A major industry in the late 19th and 20th century was the building of lorries and other commercial vehicles. Foden was established in Elworth near Sandbach in 1856, later Foden traction engines were built in Sandbach. The lorry manufacturer ERF (created by Edwin Richard Foden) was established in Sandbach in 1933 and continued until the end of the century.
Sandbach railway station was opened in 1842 and is a stop on the Crewe-Manchester Line. Sandbach is close to the M6 motorway and has a junction (17) and service station named after the town.
