Dedicated to Edward the Confessor (the full name is St Edward's and All Saints' Church) the original Church was burnt down in 1297 and rebuilt some 20 years later thought the building is now largely 17th century.

Another building worthy of a second glance is the imposing Nicholson Institute with its copper dome. Completed in 1884 and funded by the local industrialist Joshua Nicholson, the Institute offered the people of Leek an opportunity to learn and also expand their cultural horizons.

The town's War Memorial built in Portland Stone and with a clock tower has a dedication to the youngest Nicholson son, who was killed in the First World War.

Leek has a traditional outdoor market every Wednesday, a craft and antiques market on Saturday and an indoor 'butter market' on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The River Churnet thought little known outside Staffordshire has a wealth of scenery and industrial archaeology. The river rises to the west of Leek in rugged grit stone country but for most of its length it flows through softer red sandstone countryside in a valley that was carved out during the Ice Age.