Our own Town Newcastle-under-Lyme

The town used to be the main commercial centre in the area and today still has the Stones open air market, with various markets most of the week - including collectors stalls on some days. The centre includes some fine old buildings and the Borough Museum and Art Gallery is well worth a visit. Within walking distance of the town centre is Brampton Park with its large-gauge steam railway.

Bakewell

A wealth of historic buildings includes Victoria Mill, which is open to visitors. The parish church of All Saints displays a variety of different architectural styles, from the Saxon cross of the eighth or ninth century to the Norman arches.

Buxton

This spa town dates from Roman times, when the Natural Baths were created for soldiers garrisoned there. Sample the waters at the old thermal spring then see the fascinating architecture of the Opera House, the old Victorian Letter Box or the Pavilion Gardens Concert Halls. The town's museum and art gallery is reckoned to be very interesting.

Cheddleton

The village is best known for its railway history and its mill. Cheddleton Railway Centre comprises the fine Victorian station building and locomotive display hall with steam trains at weekends and in school holidays.

Congleton

This old textile town has half-timbered buildings and a fine, recently overhauled, "Venetian Gothic" town hall. New features include a brasserie and children's indoor play area. It also includes the Congleton Museum.

Crewe

A huge draw for railway enthusiasts, the Railway Age, features miniature and standard-gauge railways, working signal boxes plus restored electric, diesel and steam engines. There is also a model railway and children's playground.

Hanley (Stoke-on-Trent's City Centre)

The main town and centre of the six towns which make up Stoke-on-Trent, Hanley has excellent shops, both around the pedestrianised streets and in the Potteries Shopping Centre, regarded by many as one of the country's finest.

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery has much to interest everyone, especially those with interests in ceramics and fashion. This is the home of the famous BBC Antiques Roadshow Owl.

Leek

Queen of the Moorlands, with lots of pleasant shops and Brindley Mill - which illustrates the history of milling.

Market Drayton

The birthplace of gingerbread, you can see where it was first made, and where traders tried to sell it. Market Drayton was home to Clive of India and locals claim the British Empire in India was founded in the town's Old Grammar School.

Newcastle in Bloom - a feast of summer colour and a shopping centre of character.

Entertainment galore at Festival Park - where you can shop 'til you drop, too.