Local authority district in Staffordshire, England
| Coordinates: | 53.07, -2 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SK 00 53 |
The Staffordshire Moorlands sits on the uplands of Staffordshire, sweeping into the western edge of the Peak District. The landscape is a mix of heathy moor, gritstone edges and deep wooded dales - landmarks such as The Roaches and the valley of the River Dove give dramatic scenery, while reservoirs like Tittesworth Reservoir and Rudyard Lake are popular for watersports and wildlife.
Local settlements are mostly small market towns and villages. The administrative centre, Leek, retains a strong Victorian character and a history of silk and textile manufacture; nearby towns such as Cheadle and Biddulph reflect a mix of rural and former industrial economies. Historic features from prehistoric barrows to medieval churches and curious spots like Lud's Church underline a long-settled landscape.
Economically the area depends on farming, small-scale manufacturing and a growing tourism and outdoor-recreation sector that draws walkers, climbers and nature lovers. Many residents commute to nearby urban centres such as Stoke-on-Trent, but there’s a strong local identity centred on markets, festivals and conservation of the moors and parkland that make the district distinctive.