Mum and Dad had a rare day off work together, so they decided to go on a road trip around Cheshire and Staffordshire, starting at BEARTOWN… grrrrrr! Beartown is the nickname of Congleton in Cheshire. Legend has it that in the 1600s, Congleton’s dancing bear became ill and died. This was a disaster, as the bear was not only popular with the crowds but also a good generator of income for the town. There was no money immediately available to buy a new bear at such short notice, so in desperation the town bible was sold to raise money for a new bear. This story has become such a part of Congleton history that the name Beartown stuck.
Next on our tour was the town of Leek in Staffordshire. Known as the ‘Queen of the Staffordshire Moorlands’, Leek is a former textile town with a long and fascinating history. Clustered around a stone-cobbled market square, its well-preserved architecture and historical links make it a popular destination for an interesting town walk. The unspoilt town centre offers a refreshing alternative to from modern shopping malls and has a wealth of independent shops. Delicious local produce can be found in abundance at traditional butchers, bakers, greengrocers, delicatessens and cafes. If that’s not enough for you, you can be greedy like me and pay a visit to Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe for some old fashioned treats. We got cinder toffee in plain and chocolate coated. Yum!
The final stop on our journey was Biddulph Grange Garden and Dad knew Mum was going to like this. Biddulph Grange is a National Trust landscaped garden, in Biddulph near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. A visit takes you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen. We also got to watch the impressive koi carp that live in the pond behind the house. Biddulph Grange is a quirky, playful paradise and the perfect way to spend a few hours. Check all my cool photos out below.