Alton

Alton Station was built in 1849 as part of the Churnet Valley branch line for North Staffordshire Railway, also known as The Knotty. Stations were built in grand design, this one Italianate. NSR employed London architect Henry Arthur Hunt who may have had a hand in designing this Italianate building, although some have accredited it to AW Pugin. Pugin has designed other buildings, including the Gothic gatehouse across the road, which it is said might have influenced the station design - a battle of styles, Gothic vs Italianate!

19th century. Brick with slate roof, situated on Denstone Lane at Alton Gate.

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The 'saltway' on the Staffordshire Way between Alton and Denstone, which forms part of the Staffordshire Way

The course of a trackway shown on Ordnance Survey mapping of 1838 and named as Saltersford Lane. The trackway is suggested to be a salt or packhorse way.

 The ‘saltways’ were used to transport salt across the country and are believed to date back to pre-conquest times. Saltersford Lane was thought to have linked Cheadle with Nantwhich, Newcastle and Derby.

We were sent this photo the weir for the Alton Mill Leat by Keith Thomkins to use in our Facebook Friday photo challenge and here is what he says about it:

We used this picture in our Facebook Friday photo challenge and as Richard Moss said, "Even though everyone now knows where it is. I bet they still can't find it !!! It's well hidden."

It is a listed early 19th century well. The shaft is now filled in.

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A listed mid 19th century house, formerly used as a preparatory school. The house was designed by AWN Pugin for the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury.

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A listed mid 19th century wall and outbuilding which enclose the north and west sides of the Catholic Church of St John the Baptist.

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A listed mid 19th century churchyard cross situataed to the east of the Church of St John the Baptist. The ashlar cross has a square base with three steps up to a pedastal with panels containing the symbols of the Evangelists. The shaft has a shield to each face and an elaborate head surmounted by a foliated cross.

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A listed Roman Catholic church designed by AWN Pugin and dated to circa 1840. The church is ashlar construction with edged herringbone tooling and a plain tile roof. It comprises a nave, chancel, oratory and chapel. It is sumptuously decorated inside (including much painted decoration).

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