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Market Towns (and picturesque Villages) Market Days ~ In the Staffordshire Moorlands are Wednesdays, Fridays (indoor only) and Saturdays (antique flea market) in Leek. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Cheadle. Mondays and Thursdays in Biddulph. Leek is still one of only a few towns left in the area to retain its cattle market, busy every Tuesday at Barnfields on the outskirts of the town. 
Large village at the original gates to the world famous Alton Towers where in by gone days, travellers alighted the train to walk into the grounds. Disused track is now a much used walk to the Ramblers Retreat or chained oak tree with a history. Three annual fetes, one of which is in the grounds of the castle (photo). Beautiful views from Toot Hill along the Staffordshire Way. Watch from inside the Church as the bell ringers practice on Monday nights. Historic market town with parts dating back to 11th century. Home to the Grammar School founded by Sir John Cockayne in 1585 and what is claimed to be the longest inn sign in the world. Bonnie Prince Charlie proclaimed his father King of England from the Market Place. The 13th century Church of St. Oswald has a 212’ spire and is renowned for its marble statue by Thomas Banks. Ashbourne is also the home of the Shrovetide Football match between the ‘Uppards’ and ‘Downards’ of the town. Huge park and swimming pool, Derwent Crystal, the Gateway to the Peak District and Dovedale. Rural location with great views. Have you visited Blackbrook Zoological Park close by, increasingly popular particularly for those with children? Also near to the Threshing Barn, where you can learn to spin, weave or try your hand at dry flower arranging and other country crafts. England’s highest town was established as a rest facility by the Romans in the days of Agricola. In the 18th century the 5th Duke of Devonshire spent profits from his copper mines at Ecton near Warslow on building the Crescent based on the Royal Crescent at Bath. His successors continued the work to include the Edwardian Opera House which hosts the summer music festival. This small old town with its Friday market is the gateway to the wooded Churnet Valley. St. Giles R.C Church, with its breathtaking interior,boasts a 200’ steeple, it was designed in 1846 by A W Pugin, one of the architects of the Houses of Parliament. Les Oakes museum, just has to be seen to be believed. There is the annual Cheadle Festival. The town has a swimming pool and leisure centre and a large park with bowling green. Cheadle has all the shops you would expect to find in a small town. A small attractive village with garage and petrol station. There is a tiny wooden general store and post office. Home of Denstone College. Take a very short walk to the J.C.B Excavator factory and enjoy the excellent man-made lakes with wild life and peaceful surroundings. Situated below the Weaver Hills and near the river Dove. There are associations with George Eliot. Very small attractive village at the entrance gates to Alton Towers. Lovely scenic walks. Between Leek and Buxton. The highest village in England. at 1518 feet,Flash sits at the junction of the three counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. Lack of police control led to the village becoming the centre of coin counterfeiting hence ‘Flash Money’ is fake money. To the southwest lies the gritstone outcrops of the Roaches home to a feral population of red-necked wallabies. A small village which tends to join neighbouring villages for things like fetes and galas. It has a Post Office and General Store. Lovely views over the Churnet Valley. Why not take a trip on a boat through the beautiful Churnet Valley on the Cauldon Canal, where you may eat Sunday lunch or take afternoon tea. Board the Steam Train at Froghall from its new purposly built station opened in 2003 and travel to Cheddleton via Leekbrook and back to Froghall. Beautiful views from the elevated areas of the village. Measured to the top of the spire the church is the highest in England. There is an R A F cairn on the top of Grindon Moor. Just a little village with a claim to fame. The stone from the quarry at Hollington was used to build the new Coventry Cathedral and other famous buildings. There is a fayre annually in early September and a weekly whistdrive in the village hall. Lovely views of Croxden Abbey and the surrounding countryside. Situated above the confluence of the rivers Dove and Manifold the original settlement was broken up after the Reformation and divided between three families. In the 19th century Jesse Watts Russell demolished most of Ilam and rebuilt it as a model village. There are two Saxon crosses in the churchyard and a carved 11th century font in the church. Annual show in August, also annual flower festival in the Church. There is a fireman race and gala where all those who fancy their chance over 5 miles are welcome to join in. Folk night once a month and various village activities i.e Weekly whistdrive and indoor bowls. Two adjoining villages. There is a annual Carnival, Church Flower Festival and Strawberry Fayre. They also hold fuchsia, flower and vegetable shows. The ‘Queen of the Moorlands’ became important as a silk manufacturing and dyeing centre in the 18th and 19th century, a town known for its shawls, buttons, ribbons and sewing silks. Between 1875 and 1878 William Morris, the founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement made many visits to the town working in the silk works experimenting with organic dyes. His distinctive designs were used in many of the towns silk products and the influence of Morris and his associates left a significant mark on the art and architecture of the town. To find out more you can take a guided walk of the town held in the summer months or follow the self guided William Morris town trail leaflet available from the Tourist Information Centre. Elizabeth Wardle founded a School of Needlework in 1870 and Victorian craftswomen produced a full size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. The town was also the home of James Brindley famous for his canal designs. It is a great town for shopping, a refreshing change from the modern shopping mall. For here you'll find traditional markets both outdoor and indoor, a vast range of antique shops including converted silk mills specialising in antique and reproduction pine furniture, factory shops selling high street brand clothes at bargain prices, second hand books, galleries, crafts and bric a brac. Close to the border with Derbyshire and situated between the Dove and the Manifold, Longnor with its Victorian market hall, now converted into a tea room and crafts centre, is an increasingly popular place for visitors. An important centre for silk, you can take a guided tour of a former silk mill. Home of the poet Thomas Moore. The church door bears the marks of musket fire from a skirmish with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Pretty village on the river Churnet with lovely park and picnic area. A raft race takes place in June and those with energy to burn can hire a bike or take a stroll through Cotton Dell. Annual bonfire and firework display, all welcome. The 18th century Oakeover Hall stands in a large deer park and was held by the same family for nearly 800 years. The lake is the source of the river Trent and also gave its name to Kipling. A small village with rural pub/night spot, very pleasant walks to Beggars well and Dimmingsdale. Small town with Heritage Centre. Pool and Leisure Centre. Wednesday and Friday markets. World famous Uttoxeter Race Course. Large park and Bowling Green. Laundrette. On the same 1000’ contour line as Wetton on the other side of the valley, Warslow is an estate village of the Crewe family. The first Telecottage in England was established at the local Manifold Primary School. The river Hamps disappears underground here during the summer. This is the southern end of the Manifold Way which concludes at Hulme End. Wootton Hall is the home of the Bamford Family. JCBs are made at nearby Rocester and Cheadle. |
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