Historic Leek

Markets, Mills and Morris Dancing 

We were advised to get to the market early on a Saturday morning.  There are good things to be had, but only for the early birds.  Well, it was a Saturday, so getting there at 9:30am was pretty good for us.  Mind you, after the trip to the hardware shop for some essential DIY bits we were tempted by a lovely little Café on Bath Street, called No 5 Café, and didn't actually get to the market for another hour!

Inside No 5 Cafe

Flat white coffee

Leek is a historic market town in the Staffordshire Peak District, with plenty of independent shops, wonderful old buildings and a vibrant atmosphere (certainly on a Saturday). There were Morris Dancers performing in the market square and a display of old cars on Derby Street.

Old sign in Leek

Multi coloured sweeping brushes on display

As we wandered around we appreciated the mix of traditional architecture.  Old coats of arms adorned some of the buildings like this one that is now the NatWest Bank.

Traditional architecture in Leek on the NatWest Bank

Names of old businesses were still visible, like this doorway to the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company Limited.

Old entrance to the bank

In the market square the Morris Dancers tried to get us to join in, but we weren't ready for that and made a quick exit to browse the market stalls.

Morris Dancers

More Morris Dancers

There were a few stalls selling antiques, old furniture and old tools, some local photographs and fresh produce.  There was also a good selection of fabrics, some clothes and leaning up against a large lamppost in the centre of the market square were these legs, quite a strange sight!

Strange sight in the market square

The old cars on display on Derby Street were drawing admiring glances from many of the men in the town, the ladies didn't seem to be quite as interested for some reason..

Old cars on display in Leek

We took a look inside the Foxlowe Arts Centre where there is a cafe, gallery and where bands sometimes play.   Leek Arts Festival is running until 8th June so there are plenty of things to see. The entrance door had splendid brass doorplates which I guess are Art Deco?

Brass door plates at Foxlowe Arts centre

Continuing along Stockwell Street we came across this unusual gateway and lovely garden, with flowering wisteria.  The blue plaque informed us that William Morris saved this building!

Green Man gateway and Blue Plaque

The Nicholson Institute building and the Leek School of Art further down the street are well worth a visit. Again there is some wonderful Victorian architecture to see and the building has some lovely decorative windows dedicated to the subjects originally taught at the college.

If you want to see more about this here is a link:

Nicholson Museum

Nicholson Institute

Window decorations

Cookery, Dyeing and Manual Instruction

Weaving and Needlework

Having taken a look at the displays in the gallery above the library in the Nicholson Institute we had one more place to visit in Leek (if you don't count a quick trip to Waitrose for some regular shopping).  This was to an old watermill, called Brindley's Mill, which was built by the famous engineer, James Brindley (of canal fame) and we were shown around by one of the volunteers who gave us a demonstration of the water wheel turning the grinding stones and producing flour.

Tools in a corner of Brindley's Mill

Brindley's Mill in Leek

I was quite surprised at all the unusual and historic things to see in Leek.  Not only are there the usual shops but also a good number of independent shops, some great looking cafes and a quite a few pubs to sample (at another time!).