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The Borough’s 81 square miles includes
a large rural area which contains a range of attractive villages,
some dating backing to Anglo Saxon times.
Several of these have been declared ‘conservation areas’
to try to protect and improve the quality not only of the historic
buildings but also the local environment.
 Ashley
South-west of Newcastle is Ashley, with a wide range of local services
including churches, shops, pubs and a village hall.
The Meynell family originally acquired the Ashley estate when a
previous owner, Charles Fleetwood, gambled and lost the land on
a game of cards.
Audley Although the
village has its origins in Anglo-Saxon times, the community expanded
dramatically with the start of coal mining in the 17th century.
The village has many shopping facilities, two schools, a small theatre,
health centre and community centre. Audley has won national and
international recognition in the Britain in Bloom competition, while
the nearby villages of Halmerend and Scot Hay have also won awards
for their floral displays.
This village, located on the route of a Roman road and set on a
hilltop, has Anglo-Saxon origins although most of it developed in
the mid 19th century. In the chancel of St James' Church, which
dates back 700 years, is a full-size monumental brass of Thomas
d'Audley from approximately 1385.
From nearby Bignall Hill, there is a magnificent view all round
with Snowdon, Beeston Castle and the Cheshire Plain, Jodrell Bank
telescope and the Peak District all visible on a clear day.
There are several good eating places/pubs and the countryside, particularly
to the north, is very green and rural. There are country walks along
public footpaths which skirt and cross farmland - ordnance survey
maps are advisable.
Betley Mentioned
in the Domesday Book, Betley is a designated conservation area and
has a number of impressive half-timbered thatched cottages, while
the village church is a Grade I listed building with some features
dating back to the 13th century.
The original ‘Betley Window’ which is in the British
Galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is famous
for containing what antiquarians interpret as a very early representation
of Morris dancers. A copy is retained in the village.
Keele The village
is situated just west of Newcastle and gives its name to the University
which was first established in 1949 in Keele Hall, formerly owned
by the Sneyd family who owned much land across North Staffordshire
at the turn of the century. During term-time, the village bustles
with activity from the students at the University.
Road safety, the environment and quality of life for residents in
the heart of the village conservation area have been improved by
the building of a by-pass. The village is also the location for
a driving range and 18-hole golf course - the Borough’s only
public golf course.
Loggerheads Close
to the south-western boundary of the Borough, Loggerheads has seen
considerable housing development in recent years, most of the development
centred on two estates - Hunter's Point and Burnt Wood.
Madeley Situated
on an old packhorse route out of Newcastle, Madeley’s name
comes from the Anglo-Saxon term 'madan lieg' which means 'clearing
in the woods'.
Madeley’s picturesque pool is an instantly recognisable feature
of the Borough, with landscaping around the pool adding to the attraction
of the village conservation area. It was formed when the River Lea
was dammed to provide water power for the mill, which has since
been redeveloped to provide homes.
Although its postal address is ‘Nr Crewe, Cheshire’,
Madeley is still in Staffordshire but within a few miles of borders
with Cheshire and Shropshire. Its location is ideal for exploring
Shropshire and Cheshire with the picturesque town of Nantwich, Bridgemere
Garden World and Stapeley Water Gardens all less than a 30 minute
drive away.
Maer The centrepiece
of the village conservation area is 17th century Maer Hall, the
former home of Josiah Wedgwood, son of the famous pottery manufacturer.
One of Maer’s claims to fame is that 19th-century naturalist
Charles Darwin, who married one of Josiah's daughters, started his
ground-breaking work ‘The Origin of Species’ while staying
at the Hall.
 Mow
Cop Situated right at the north of the Borough,
Mow Cop played a major role in the development of Primitive Methodism.
One of the movement's pioneers Hugh Bourne used to hold large open-air
‘camp’ meetings in the area.
This hill-top village is famous for its castle-like folly which
is visible for miles around. The sandstone tower was originally
built as a summer house in 1754. When the castle was given to the
National Trust in 1937, 10,000 Methodists met on the hill to mark
the occasion.
Mucklestone Mucklestone
occupies a significant place in English history, with the Battle
of Blore Heath taking place in nearby fields during the Wars of
the Roses.
The battle took place in 1459 and legend has it that Henry VI's
Queen, Margaret watched from the tower of Mucklestone Church and
fled when she saw Lord Audley, leader of the Lancastrians, had been
killed.
Whitmore An attractive
church, village pub and Whitmore Hall, home of the Cavenagh-Mainwaring
family can be found in this picturesque part of the Borough. The
Mainwaring Arms pub, sits on a crossroads. The main A53 Newcastle
to Shrewsbury road is the major road but the minor one which crosses
it was once far more important for this was the coach road between
Liverpool and London.
For details of parish and town council contacts, telephone 01782
742272.
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