About the area

Situated close to the head of the Churnet river in North Staffordshire and on the southern uplands of the Pennines, Leek is built on the slopes and crown of a hill surrounded by some of the finest hill, moor and dale scenery to be found in this part of the North Midlands. Much of the town stands at or over the 600 ft. contour and it is close, on the north and east sides, to the even higher country that is now within the Peak District National Park.

For useful information on the area visit www.Leekonline.co.uk

Wedding Venue

St. Matthews Church

Meerbrook, Leek, Staffordshire. www.leekparish.org.uk/matthew.htm

Meerbrook is a very small village situated in the Staffordshire Moorlands. On one side rises Gun Hill and on the other, the Roaches.

Close by is The Lazy Trout pub – a good place for refreshments before the wedding!

Reception

The Three Horseshoes Inn

Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8TW. 01538 300296 www.3shoesinn.co.uk

A Family run Inn and Country Hotel in the Peak National Park offering breathtaking views of the Staffordshire Moorlands, Tittesworth reservoir and the unusual rock formations of the roaches.

Hotels and accommodation

For assistance with accommodation and bookings contact Leek Tourist Office on 01538 483741 or tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Drinking & dining out in Leek & the local area

For drinking we can recommend:

• Den Engel (Belgian Bar)
• The Engine Room
• The Quiet Woman
• Curshaws
  
• The Flying Horse
• The Abbey
• The Red Lion in Thorncliffe
• The Lazy Trout
• The Blue Mugge (If you can find it!)
• The Yew Tree in Cauldon - Oddest pub in Britain - but stick to bottled beer
  

• The Rajah (Indian)
• The 3 Horseshoes Bistro
• Curshaws
  
• The Bolaka (Indian)
• Den Engel (Belgian Bar)
  
• The Red Lion (Thorncliffe)
• The Lazy Trout (Meerbrook)
• The Peak Weavers
• The Abbey
• Time for tea
• The White Hart Tea Rooms
  
• The Flying Horse
• Lawtons Pie Shop
• The Tasty Fryer
  

Things to see and do

Antiques & collectibles Leek is a renowned centre for antiques as recommended by Laurence Llewellyn Bowen (Changing Rooms).

The Roaches. This craggy outcrop of rocks lying on the the southern uplands of the Pennines just 4 miles north of Leek offers fantastic views, walks and climbing. www.roaches.org.uk

The Manifold Track – Fantastic cycling along a cycle track through scenic countryside. Start in Waterhouses & bikes can be hired.

Peak District National Park. Over 500 square miles of bustling market towns, impressive stately homes and country houses, craggy peaks, gentle valleys, unspoilt villages peakdistrictview.com

Blackbrook Zoological Park A fun and educational day for all whatever the weather. Rare birds, unusual animals, reptiles, insects and aquatics. Winkhill, Leek ST13 7QR Tel:01538 308293 www.blackbrookzoologicalpark.co.uk

Churnet Valley Railway A truly beautiful heritage railway deep in the heart of Staffordshire's secret valley. Cheddleton, Leek ST13 7EE Tel: 01538 360522 www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk

Alton Towers Alton, Staffs ST10 4DB

Britain's no.1 theme park 0870 4444 455 www.altontowers.com

Tittesworth Reservoir. Meerbrook Nr Leek ST13 8SW www.stwater.co.uk. Play area, outdoor walks and shopping! Wonderful scenery across waters of reservoir. Visitors centre.

Rudyard Lake -.The village of Rudyard is set in glorious countryside and is most famous for the two and a half mile long lake that runs North Westerly from the village. Rudyard Lake Visitors Centre 01538 306280.

Taxis

Don't underestimate how difficult it is to get a taxi in Leek. Book in advance to avoid a long a long wait into the early hours of the morning