Apedale Country Park and Museum

Apedale’s coal mining heritage spans at least 200 years, and may even date back to the Romans who were probably the first to settle in Apedale, with their garrisons at Chesterton and Holditch. It is believed that coal from the valley was used to fire the Roman pottery kilns, remains of which have been found in the locality.

The Park, which comprises 184 hectares , is criss-crossed with footpaths and tracks leading to breezy heights open meadows, secluded woodland glades and silent pools. Family nature trails, pond dipping, guided walks, organised events and festivals, educational activities and special projects add to the countryside experience.

Apedale Valley was carved out by meltwater from a huge glacier that extended across Cheshire from the Irish Sea about 20,000 years ago and, for a while, stood with its edge running along the western edge of the Potteries.

In its heyday, Apedale was in the forefront of the Industrial Revolution because of the rich deposits of coal, iron and clay found there.
Today, little of Apedale's industrial past remains. The furnaces, mine buildings, tramways, canal and brickworks have all but disappeared and nature has taken over.

Apedale Pit Wheel
Pit head wheel and coal tub memorial to the miners of North Staffordshire.
The Wedgwood monument can be just seen on the hill to the right

photo: © Richard Styles - Feb 2005

North eastern entrance to Apedale Country Park, off Apedale Road
North eastern entrance to Apedale Country Park, off Apedale Road

Newcastle Way Marker Post

At the entrance to Apedale Country Park this post marks part of the route of the Newcastle Way a 25 mile walking route through much of the Borough of Newcastle under-Lyme linking the Staffordshire Way at Mow Cop in the north with the Shropshire Union Canal towpath at Market Drayton in the south.

Nearby Bignall End records its cal mining legacy with a pit-head wheel at the entrance to the village.

Welcome to Bignall End, Audley