Budget Days Out in the Staffordshire Moorlands

Discover a day in Cheadle

Cheadle is like the song ‘Four Seasons in One Day.’ Nothing to do with the weather - but because it’s a place that covers all the bases. It’s a quaint market town with a broad selection of charming shops, cafes and restaurants, but also offers the history buffs some interesting historical connections, and nature lovers will enjoy the surrounding scenic countryside.

It literally is a town that offers something for everyone.

Here's a possible itinerary for a day trip, taking in all the leading sights and attractions that this small Moorlands town has to offer.

Morning:  Breakfast and Exploring Nature

Park up at Hales Hall Caravan Park, a few minutes outside Cheadle on the Oakamoor Road.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the stylish Grosvenor Restaurant, set within the Grade II listed Hales Hall, built in 1712. This is a beautiful venue serving hearty home-cooked meals alongside daily specials. This could be the perfect opportunity to order some Staffordshire oatcakes, a regional speciality – try them served with cheese and bacon filling.

A good way to work off breakfast is to take a stroll around Hales Hall Pool. This man-made lake was built in 1822 and has edges designated as a site of biological importance.

Look out for bulrush reed-beds, marsh marigold, flag iris and rare for Staffordshire, is the greater tussock sedge. Waterfowl include coot, moorhen, tufted duck and the great crested grebe. In the summer you can listen for willow warblers, see dragonflies such as common blue and blue tailed damselfly and possibly see a brown hawker.

Fishing is available here, but booking is essential.

A delightful, short walk from the western end of the pool takes you into Cheadle along Cecilly Brook to look for rare water voles and kingfishers along the way.  There is a surfaced path suitable for disabled access.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

MID MORNING: Local Charm and Flavours

If you feel you’ve worked up an appetite, Cheadle has a selection of pubs, cafes, and some smaller restaurants. Enjoy a pub lunch at The Wheatsheaf, opt for a sweet treat at Gelato and Cakes.

Try the Summer House, a traditional style English tearoom serving high quality coffee and a good selection of teas, home-made food with, whenever possible, locally sourced produce. They also bake amazing cakes.

Then take a walk through Cheadle's town centre. Explore the Market Place, which has been a focal point of the town for centuries. Admire the architecture of the surrounding buildings and get a feel for the local atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the Butter Cross, a historical monument on the High Street and junction of Cross Street. Cheadle has traditional family-owned shops, such as a butcher, bakery, jeweller and oatcake shop.

On Fridays, stroll through the outdoor market in Greyhound Walk, and on the second and fourth Saturday of the month you’ll find bargains galore at the Lockett & Co Auction Sales.

AFTERNOON:  Local History

Start your exploration of Cheadle’s fascinating past by taking the Heritage Walk.  This delightful walk, sometimes referred to as the Secret Trail, takes approximately 45 minutes and has five stopping points, with an information panel located at each point. Here you will be able to explore the high street, find out why St Giles likes blacksmiths and discover the magnificent Pugin’s Gem. 

St Giles' RC Church, known as Pugin's Gem, was commissioned in 1841 and designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, renowned for his work on the Houses of Parliament.

Explore this magnificent Grade I listed building, considered to be the finest Victorian Gothic church in the country, boasting a 200ft spire.

Take your time to admire the elaborate and spectacular decoration inside with its intricate details, stained glass windows, floor tiles, woodwork and ornaments. Insert £1 in the slot to light up the church and admire its overall grandeur.

Pugin (1812-1852) is arguably the greatest British architect, designer and writer of the nineteenth century. The son of a French draughtsman and designer, Pugin was responsible for an enormous quantity of buildings, and also for countless beautiful designs for tiles, metalwork, furniture, wallpaper, stained glass and ceramics. His prolific output included the interior designs for the Palace of Westminster, over one hundred churches and cathedrals, and eight major books on architecture and design.

From the glorious grounds to its soaring spires, Pugin’s Gem is considered the finest of all his churches.

A beautiful building to explore, the church also has interesting links to the village of Alton and John Talbot (1791-1852), the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury, the original owner of Alton Towers. He was zealous in promoting the Catholic faith, and it was he who brought Pugin to North Staffordshire in 1837.

Shrewsbury was impressed by Pugin’s beliefs that Christian (or gothic) art and architecture could be a powerful weapon in the re-conversion of England to the Catholic faith.

St Giles is open every day for visitors. The doors are open from about 8.30am until 4.30pm- 5pm. Entry is via the South door (sometimes this is stiff and may appear to be closed; It isn't, please give it a good push!). A coin meter to the left of the door lights up the church - use £1 or £2 coins.

And if one church isn’t enough, walk five minutes to the gothic St Giles the Abbott Church, and learn about the history of the Church and Cheadle’s local legend Mary Blagg, who is buried here. Born in 1858, Mary’s groundbreaking work mapping the moon saw her become one of the first women admitted into the Royal Astronomical Society. A crater on the moon, Blagg crater, was named after Mary, and in March 2023, a planet was named Mary Blagg in her honour.

Coincidently, both of Cheadle’s churches are dedicated to St Giles!

St. Giles is the patron saint of blacksmiths and traditionally churches dedicated to St. Giles are found at road junctions, which enabled travellers to visit the church whilst their horses were being shod at the nearby smithies.

EVENING: Sit Back and Relax

After a busy day, wander back to Hales Hall for a well-deserved drink in the bar or dinner in the restaurant.  It’s also worth checking out the Park’s events calendar if you wish to extend your stay into the evening – or even overnight.

This itinerary provides a blend of historical exploration, local charm, and the option to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.

Enjoy your day in Cheadle!

Important Considerations for Your Trip:

Opening Times: Always double-check the opening times and any potential entry fees for attractions.

The weather in Staffordshire can be variable, so be prepared with layers and an umbrella if needed.

Are any local events or festivals happening in Cheadle on your specific day of travel? Check before you travel to make the most of your day in Cheadle.