Cheadle

Located in the North of Staffordshire, Cheadle is the nearest market town to Alton Towers Resort and gateway to the many attractions of the beautiful Churnet Valley with its amazing canal and river walks, industrial heritage and steam railway.

Visit the Discovery Centre, there are free exhibitions all year round; and a permanent collection of items related to Augustus W.N. Pugin, one of the foremost nineteenth century architects, who built the town’s outstanding St. Giles Catholic Church and made extensive alterations to Alton Towers.

'Pugin's Gem' the Roman Catholic Church of St Giles, was commissioned in 1841 and designed by AWN Pugin, it is considered to be the finest Victorian Gothic church in the country It boasts a 200ft spire and the interior is covered in elaborate and spectacular decoration. Insert £1 in the slot to light up the church and admire it in all its glory.

The town has many traditional family-owned shops, such as a butcher, bakery, jeweller, furniture and oatcake shop and there are many independent cafes.

Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian Hall, the friendly indoor market provides a range of quality products on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Once rich in coal and iron, remnants can be found in the form of nostalgic steam railways at Blythe Bridge and within the Churnet Valley at Cheddleton and the Froghall Wharf basin of the Caldon Canal.

Explore Cheadle’s fascinating past by taking the ‘Discover the Secret Trail’, it takes approximately 45 minutes and has 5 stopping points with an information panel located at each point.

Nature lovers are spoilt for choice as the surrounding countryside is home to a number of Nature Parks, including the RSPBs Combes Valley, the National Trust’s Hawksmoor Nature Reserve, Staffordshire County Council’s Consall Country Park and Dimmingsdale, managed by the Forestry Commission are all open to the public.