English Heritage sites near Longsdon Parish
CROXDEN ABBEY
12 miles from Longsdon Parish
The impressive remains of an abbey of Cistercian 'white monks', including towering fragments of its 13th-century church, infirmary and 14th-century abbot's lodging.
SANDBACH CROSSES
13 miles from Longsdon Parish
The two massive Saxon stone crosses, elaborately carved with animals and Biblical scenes including the Nativity of Christ and the Crucifixion, dominate the cobbled market square of Sandbach.
ARBOR LOW STONE CIRCLE AND GIB HILL BARROW
14 miles from Longsdon Parish
The region's most important prehistoric site, Arbor Low is a Neolithic henge monument atmospherically set in high moorland. A circle of some 50 white limestone slabs within an earthen bank and ditch.
NINE LADIES STONE CIRCLE
19 miles from Longsdon Parish
A small early Bronze Age stone circle of (actually) ten stones. Believed to be nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday.
PEVERIL CASTLE
21 miles from Longsdon Parish
Founded soon after 1066 by William Peverel, one of William the Conqueror's most trusted knights, Peveril Castle offers breathtaking views of the Peak District from its position high above Castleton.
HOB HURST'S HOUSE
22 miles from Longsdon Parish
A square prehistoric burial mound with an earthwork ditch and outer bank. Named after a local goblin.
Churches in Longsdon Parish
St Chads Church, Longsdon
Leek Road, Longsdon
Longsdon
Stoke-on-Trent
07968153703
http://www.unitedbeneficechlr.co.uk
ST CHADS
An impressive Grade II* listed building designed by Gerald Horsley and consecrated in 1905. Built of local stone in the Decorated Gothic style with a superb west tower and spire, it stands in spacious grounds on the A53 just two miles from Leek on the Newcastle Road.
The altar frontals by Leek School of Embroidery are still in use, some 100 years later. Truley stunning pieces of work!
St Chads is an excellent choice for your Wedding or your Baptism. It is very popular due to its locality to many wedding reception venues.
St Chads can sit over 200 guests; it has a small kitchen, WC, and a recreational area that can be rented out by the hour for your Baptism celebrations or wake. The car park to the front sits many vehicles.
The three Parishes of the United Benefice:
St. Michael, Horton, St. Chad, Longsdon and St. Lawrence, Rushton Spencer nestle in the breath-taking beauty of the Staffordshire Moorlands. They border on the ancient (1214) silk-mill market-town of Leek on the River Churnet and famous for its Wednesday market and abundance of antique shops and warehouses.
Nearby, (approx. 3 miles) is Britain's favourite theme park - Alton Towers. By contrast, if you prefer a more leisurely and reflective experience there is Biddulph Grange (approx. 2 miles - National trust restored Victorian Gardens. Here you will find a plant collection from all over the world - a global journey from an Italian Terrace to an Egyptian pyramid via a Himalayan glen and Chinese inspired garden.
At the heart of our three parishes is the famous Rudyard Lake.
The lake is two and half miles long and was created more than two centuries ago for the then expanding canal system of the West Midlands. This is where two newly-weds spent their honeymoon in 1865 and after which they named their son who became that very "English" poet - Rudyard Kipling. Today, Rudyard Lake offers an opportunity for walking, boating, sailing and fishing and also a ride on a miniature steam train. Lying in a fold of thickly wooded hillsides, Rudyard Lake - known as the "Hidden Gem of the Staffordshire Moorlands" - is a haven of peace and tranquillity.
Pubs in Longsdon Parish
Wheel
Attractive, friendly country pub, built in the latter half of the 19th Century. There is a small children's play area to the side of the pub, and the beer garden affords spectacular views over the surrounding moorland; a split-level car-par...