Newcastle-under-Lyme

The historic market town of Newcastle-under-Lyme is in the county of Staffordshire, beautifully situated at the foot of a range of picturesque hills. The town has associations with the hat making industry as well as shoes, clocks and the Potteries. With two large silk mills, a cotton thread mill and a number of malt kilns as well as two canals, Newcastle-under-Lyme has seen prosperity, variety and the waning of some of its key industries as history changed demand. There was a ‘new castle’ built here in the 12^th century that accounts for the first part of the name and the ‘Lyme’ possibly refers to the Lyme Brook or vast lime forests that covered the area back in medieval times.

The market here has been operating since 1173 on High Street; originally opened only on Sundays, today, you can enjoy the market six-days a week. With over 80 stalls, this open-air market is a bustling and busy place of colour and variety.  Newcastle-under-Lyme offers the visitor some beautiful parks, gardens and open spaces that have won awards from the Royal Horticultural Society. Queen’s Gardens, Grosvenor Gardens, The Queen Elizabeth Garden and Brampton Park – which also houses a museum and art gallery, are particularly worth a visit to enjoy the beauty and activities.