Flash, Staffordshire (the highest village in England!)
Staffordshire is one of England’s many land-locked counties in the West Midlands. This one is known for its many canals, and being the home of pottery. With industrial roots, most canals these days are towpath walks.
Surprisingly (if you thought it was going to be Yorkshire or Durham), the highest village in England is here. Flash is very close to the Cheshire/Derbyshire border, and not far from Buxton. The village was not always so popular. It has a rough history of smuggling and counterfeiting money!
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Read more on how to protect England’s historic canals.
Ilam (a village that looks like Switzerland)
Ilam would trick you into thinking that you were in Lucerne (minus the lakes). The little cottages and lush valleys are unique in this part of the world.
There used to be a stately home here, but it was partly demolished in the 1930s. What remains is now a YHA youth hostel.
Home to the Northern Peak District
You likely know that England’s oldest national park is mostly in Derbyshire. But the northern corner sits here, packing wild moorland and rugged peaks into a popular walking destination. Due to the Midlands being so accessible for so many people, it’s also loved by millions of people.
The ‘winking man’ is a rock formation near the village of Leek, as it resembles a face. Protruding from a hillside, locals know him as ‘Winky!’
Stoke-on-Trent (the historical home of potters!)
Staffordshire (and in particular Stoke-on-Trent) is of course known for its pottery. These handmade clay wonky bowls are made by hand.
Oxford Clay has a great e-book on 30 ways to make your pottery greener. It includes which ingredients to use and avoid, eco-friendly tools and recipes (including one without oxides).
Its own pottery is made with clay that’s fired with clean energy, and uses vegan tools and ingredients. This potter creates ‘green’ colours by recycling copper from broken electronics, and ‘blue colours’ by recycling broken glass and bottles from around the city of Oxford!
