Leek is a market town in Staffordshire Moorlands district, on the northern part of Staffordshire, England. It has a population of around 20,000 people (2012 estimate). The town is on the River Churnet.
Leek dates back at least to after the Norman Conquest. It was granted a market charter in 1207 permitting it to hold a weekly market on Wednesday and an annual seven-day fair. Since then, Leek has had a livestock market particularly in the trade of cattle, in keeping with its position as a center for the surrounding farms.
During the late 18th and 19th centuries Leek became a center for the production of textile. At one time there was a large concentration of textile manufacturers in the town, but this industry has somewhat declined in the 20th century. Some of the mills that were established in the 19th century have since been converted into residences.
The Victorian era was a prosperous period for Leek, and this can be seen from the many historic buildings in town built during that period.
Junction of Brook Street and St Edward Street, Leek: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Junction_of_Brook_Street_and_St_Edward_Street,_Leek_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1409226.jpg Author: Roger Cornfoot
Visiting Leek
From London, take the M1 motorway to Junction 19, then continue on the M6 motorway until Junction 15. Continue east on the A500 road, passing through Stoke-on-Tent, then continue on the A53 road heading northeast until arriving in Leek.
Places of Interest in Leek
Nicholson Institute: Historic building in the Queen Anne style, designed by William Sudgen in 1882.
Nicholson War Memorial: Memorial to men who died fighting in World War I. It was commission by local businessman Sir Arthur Nicholson and dedicated to his son Lieutenant Basil Lee Nicholson, who was killed in action at Ypres, Belgium, in 1915. The memorial was completed in 1925.
Rudyard Lake: Reservoir in Rudyard, Staffordshire.
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