In 1851 Tamworth was described as an ancient borough, and well built market town, pleasantly situated seven miles ESE of Lichfield, at the confluence and on the north banks of the rivers Tame and Anker, which here wind in circuitous routes through a highly cultivated and fertile district. The western half of the town, with the parish church, is in Staffordshire, and the eastern part, with the castle and market place, is in Warwickshire. The parish is also nearly equally divided between the two counties, and contains 9847 acres of land, and 8,671 inhabitants in eight townships: Tamworth Borough, Fazeley, Sierscote and Wiggington in Staffordshire, and Castle Liberty, Amington & Stonedelph, Bolehall & Glascote, and Wilnecote in Warwickshire.