Top 5 Staffordshire Towns
Staffordshire boasts a rich heritage and offers an abundance of top-rated schools, leisure amenities and breathtaking countryside. Additionally, two of England’s premier theme parks can also be found here.
No matter your shopping preference – high street or vintage treasure hunting – Staffordshire provides many shopping opportunities for students. From Festival Retail Park to city centres there’s sure to be something suitable.
Leek
Leeks are an elegant European cousin of their working-class counterparts: onion. Sweeter in taste and more refined in appearance than onions, leeks are sweeter and genteeler than their working class cousins; their long cylinder of leaf sheaths blanched by pushing soil around (trenching) looks similar to an enormous scallion but have less pungent characteristics; its non-sulfuric acids make this vegetable easier for people with sensitive stomachs to enjoy it.
Leek offers an abundance of organic food producers, farm shops and markets offering fresh produce – including seasonal vegetables. Many can even be purchased online.
Town offers many historic sites to discover and one of its most captivating spots can be found down an unexpected side street: Ladydale Well. Originally known as “Lady o’ the Wall Dale Well”, or Lady o’ the Wall Stream, this ancient well once collected tithes in its area for thousands of years before finally falling into disuse.
This historic town is filled with charm and character, and offers several excellent pubs. One such traditional pub is The Wilkes’ Head which boasts an inviting rear garden popular with cyclists as well as having an upstairs function room and being dog-friendly – not forgetting its friendly and accommodating staff who make for an excellent dining experience!
The Green Dragon, another Wetherspoons pub with rustic charm and very popular with locals. This pub even displays old clip pumps on its walls! Additionally, The Green Dragon serves incredible fish and chips along with special “Breadcrumbs not Batter” options for those who have trouble digesting battered foods.
No matter the time of year or your taste in food, Leek offers something for everyone in Staffordshire’s oldest town. From historical buildings and beautiful countryside to its bustling local economy – you’re sure to find something fun and delicious for everyone in Leek!
Lichfield
Lichfield is a small cathedral city located in Staffordshire, best known as being home to Samuel Johnson – author of The Dictionary of the English Language – as well as William Shakespearean actor David Garrick and Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin. Lichfield also shares sister cities relationships with Limburg an der Lahn in Germany and Sainte-Foy-les-Lyon in France.
Lichfield’s historic core was added to the national Heritage Listing in 1983. Lichfield boasts a diverse economy that includes creative industries and is an established digital media centre. Crime rates in Lichfield remain well below national average; however, as with any urban environment it’s best to take precautionary steps against large drunken groups and practice normal safety precautions for your own protection.
As a city, Leicester offers visitors many things to see and do, from museums and galleries to theatre performances and live music events. Additionally, Drayton Manor Theme Park can be found nearby; usually open between March and October. Old ruins such as Roman fortlet Letocetum may also be freely visited in Leicester.
In the Middle Ages, the city became a significant religious centre when Bishop Roger de Clinton established the Cathedral Close around 1100 and secured it with walls, gates and ditches; additionally he laid out its ladder-like street pattern still evident today.
Lichfield played an important role during the English Civil War as a battleground between Royalists and Parliamentarians. Cathedral authorities, with an avid following supporting King Charles I, supported Royalists while most townsfolk supported Parliament. Lichfield was besieged three times during this conflict with its Cathedral being severely damaged before reconstruction was undertaken in late 14th and early 15th century Gothic style.
City Centre shops include high street staples like Debenhams and WH Smith as well as independently-run boutiques and antiques stores. Shoppers can also explore weekly markets in Market Square on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings; additionally there are numerous craft and gift shops as well as a farmer’s market to peruse.
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme has an illustrious past. Established during the Middle Ages with only 800 inhabitants, today this town offers an abundance of culture and traditions including theatre in the round productions and jazz festivals, in addition to its bustling town center which features shops and restaurants that meet everyone’s taste.
At the forefront of the landscape lies Castle, which has stood since Norman times and been used for military purposes. Improvements were made during the 19th century with railway station opening up in 1852 and many buildings on southern High Street being demolished to achieve greater width and an impressive entranceway into town.
Newcastle-under-Lyme has produced many notable people, such as poet Edmund Spenser (1740 – 1815). The Borough Museum and Art Gallery provides an authentic life-size Victorian street scene to show its civic history; local and national artists also display work here as well as temporary exhibitions that travel.
Other attractions in Lyme include the New Vic Theatre, one of Europe’s first purpose-built round theatres and home to drama productions, music concerts and comedy acts. There’s also Lymelight Festival which hosts great bands and entertainment suitable for all ages; perfect for anyone seeking an enjoyable night out with family or friends!
Town of Stoke-on-Trent, once famous for its pottery industry. The town became well-known during medieval England due to the ceramic industry being one of the largest in England at one point. Wealthy townspeople owned property, sent two MPs to parliament, and hosted Dominican friars who preached and helped poor people instead of withdrawing into themselves as monks would. Though today part of Stoke-on-Trent, its distinct character and culture remain evident today.
Leaders within the Borough are committed to sustainability. The Council has set itself a goal of reaching net zero carbon emission by 2030 for its own activities and estate, and 2050 for wider borough. To reach these targets it has implemented various initiatives, such as:
Stone
Stone is a market town known for its pedestrianized High Street. There are weekly and monthly markets, local shops, public houses and restaurants lining its High Street; medical facilities; first class education establishments and places of worship can all be found here as well as medical services, fist class education establishments and places of worship. Stone’s history is quite extensive – it was home to Roman temples as well as Cornovii tribe (people of the horn). Stone takes its name from these sources along with one of several nearby Saxon Hill Forts that overlooking Trent.
At one time, this town was home to an extensive shoe making industry represented by its horned figure on its crest, providing employment for many people and helping bring wealth and prosperity. Agriculture also played a significant role in its economy – there was even an annual cheese fair! As it lay along London-Brighton main roads, at its peak coaching era 38 coaches passed through daily providing revenue streams that supported many coaching inns in town.
Today, the town is home to numerous successful businesses, including a host of call centres. Additionally, it serves as the headquarters for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, while Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre is an employer and training centre serving UK telecoms providers.
Stone boasts an excellent bus service, providing access to various local services. The First Potteries route 101 runs north to Tittensor, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent; southward it reaches Stafford. Additional local services operate during weekdays and Sundays.
The town church, dedicated to St Michael the Archangel, was constructed between 1753 and 1758 and features an ornate clock erected in 1896. Additionally, several restaurants, public houses, coffee shops, stores and a supermarket serve the town well; several nature reserves can also be found nearby and it has access to Trent and Mersey Canal which boasts an ideal cycling path that passes right through town.
