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Leek - market town, the Moorlands and Staffordshire Peak District

Leek fashions itself as Queen of the Moorlands, an historic market town, with a history of weaving and textiles and until recent years had continued its clothing industry. In the Napoleonic period prisoners of war were billeted in the town, these were officers and a number of them liked the life in Leek so much they decided to stay, married locals and integrated into the local community

There is an outdoor market each Wednesday, as well as an indoor market every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the restored Victorian Butter Market. There is a is Fine Food Market on the 3rd Saturday of the month and every 1st Sunday of the month is the hugely popular 'Totally Locally' Sunday Supplement Market.

Leek makes an excellent base for walking, cycling and other outdoor activities, with nearby rock climbing and water sports as well as stunning walking country

 

Brindley’s Mill – a little know gem, built in 1752 this is a working corn mill & museum celebrating the work of James Brindley, millwright and canal engineer renowned as the pioneer of the canal system. – on the A523 Leek to Macclesfield road about half a mile from Leek town centre

 

 

 

 image of the Brindley’s Mill website

 

The Nicholson Museum and Gallery is housed within the Nicholson Institute built in 1884 by silk mill owner Joshua Nicholson. The Gallery features a mixed programme of community based exhibitions and local history. This also houses the local Tourist Information Office (see below)

 

 

 

 image of the Nicholson Museum website

 

The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the classic days of railway travel on a rural line that passes through beautiful countryside, the main station is at Cheddleton, along with the workshops and shunting yard. It has a tea room and just over the river and canal is the Boat Inn

 

 

 

 image of the Churnet Valley Railway website

 

Cheddleton Flint Mill is a fine example of a water mill that ground flint for the pottery industry, it features two water mills, a small museum, a period cottage, the canal and many other exhibits. It is adjacent to the main road and canal, a five minute walk along the canal from the Churnet Valley Railways main Railway Station (see above)

 

 

 

 image of the Cheddleton Flint Mill website

 

Consall Nature Park located in the Churnet Valley it is reached by road via the hamlet of Consall, or by foot it can be reached via the Caldon Canal towpath. There is a small visitor centre and car park, fishing lakes and a variety of walking trails through woodland, marsh and riverside meadows. In the valley there is a station for the Churnet Valley Railway so you could arrive by Steam Train.
Accessibility Very steep sided valley, rough footpaths, roadway from has some blue badge parking at bottom of the valley allowing access to the canal and station via the roadway - robust equipment and assistance recommended
The site is owned by Staffordshire County Council, and now under the management of RSPB
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/...

 

 

 

 image of the Consall Nature Park website

 

Built in 1776, the Caldon Canal is widely seen as one of the most interesting waterways in the country. Very much a canal of contrasts, it begins in the centre of the Potteries passing through to countryside and the Churnet Valley. It is one of the most picturesque of Englands canals. It Terminates at Froghall Wharf in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands, for a time it runs along side the River Churmet and the Churnet Valley Railway

 

 

 

 image of the Caldon Canal website

 

Leek and Rudyard Lake Steam Railway – Take a magical 3 mile return trip alongside beautiful historic Rudyard Lake on our Victorian-style narrow gauge steam trains and are the best way to see and access the Lake’s attractions. Rudyard Lake is over 2.5 miles long and was built as a reservoir in 1797 today it offers watersports, boat trips, walking, a good day out

 

 

 

 image of the Leek and Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website

 

Peak Wildlife Park – Winkhill, Leek – large walkthroughs allow you to come face to face with exotic and endangered animals from across three continents, family picnic area, Jungle Bounce and large outdoor play area
Accessibility - "The whole of the Park is accessible by wheelchair and able-bodied pusher. The paths are wide and can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters." Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities

 

 

 image of the peak wildlife park website

 

The Roaches – a rocky area for walkers and climbers. Ramshaw Rocks with its Winking Man (a rock formation that looks like a mans head that appears to wink as you pass it) The rocks are well known amongst the climbing and Bouldering fraternity with climbs for beginners to experts

 

 

 

 image of the roaches rocks

 

RSPB Coombes & Churnet Valley Nature Reserve "Coombes Valley is a wonderful woodland reserve. It’s perfect for nature enthusiasts to explore and for families to have fun and play together outdoors. In spring and early summer, migrating flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers come to breed. In winter, redwings, fieldfares and winter finches are regular visitors woodland reserve at Bradnop, for nature enthusiasts to explore and for families to have fun and play together outdoors".

 

 

 

 image of the Coombes Valley website

 

Tittesworth Water – STW lakeside walks, Visitor Centre, wildlife, bird hides – there is also a Water Sports and Activity Centre offering a wide variety of activities and professional tuition. The Waterview Restaurant offer the visitor good food and a wonderful view

 

 

 

 image of the Tittesworth Water website

 

Day hire narrow boat “Joshua” a 35 ft day hire narrow boat which can take up to 10 people for self drive day trips, based at Denford just outside Leek

 

 

 

 image of the Joshua website

 

Local Walks

Download a leaflet from our archive for the walk - Leek and Caldon canal via Ladderedge Country Park - 3 miles

 

Download a leaflet from our archive for athe walk - Leek_Landscapes - 9 miles around Leek

 

Download a leaflet from our archive for athe walk - Leek to Peak - 7 miles around Tittesworth

 

 

Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre offers Riding lessons, pony rides, has a pets corner, cafe and nature trail

 

Tourist Information Centre

Local tourist information is available at Leek Tourist Information Centre - Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6DW
telephone - 01538 395530
email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website - www.visitleek.co.uk

 

 

 

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