Gillow Heath

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Gillow Heath
View towards Gillow Heath - geograph.org.uk - 2224731.jpg
Skyline of Gillow Heath
Staffordshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Gillow Heath
Location within Staffordshire
OS grid reference SJ880586
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode district ST8
Police Staffordshire
Fire Staffordshire
Ambulance West Midlands
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Staffordshire
53°07′31″N2°10′44″W / 53.125292°N 2.178930°W / 53.125292; -2.178930

Gillow Heath is a former coal mining village [1] and suburb of Biddulph in the Staffordshire Moorlands district of the county of Staffordshire, England.

Contents

History

Gillow Heath was first established in 1864, with both the arrival of the Biddulph Valley line and local industry that began during the industrial revolution. [2] With numerous coal mines, collieries and industries opening in and around the area. A notable type of mining in the village was whetstone mining and making.Gillow Heath gained a bit of local fame with the opening of a pottery-making works named "Peakies pot-bank". [3]

However, like most coal mining villages in the region. Gillow Heath's industry declined in post-industrial era with the closures of the coal mines, collieries and industries alongside the Biddulph Valley line. [4]

Today, Gillow Heath forms part of the town of Biddulph and a residential area of the town.

Amenities

Gillow Heath has no real dedicated village centre, except for a local pub, named the "Staffordshire Knot". [5] Due to its proximity to the town centre, Gillow Heath is well situated for shopping, education, commuting and working in Biddulph, Congleton, Kidsgrove, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Alsager and Stoke-on-Trent for residents and students. [6]

Transport

Gillow Heath is served by regular buses operated by First Potteries and D&G Bus services. These allow for travel to Audley, Biddulph, Kidsgrove, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Congleton and other nearby settlements. [7]

The nearest active rail stations are Congleton, Kidsgrove and Longport. The village was historically served by Biddulph railway station, which was located adjacent to the boundary between the village and Biddulph. However, following closure to passengers and then freight with the line. [8] The station building and platforms survive with the station now a private residence and the platforms forming part of the Biddulph Valley Way trail. [9]

References

  1. "Gillow Heath, Staffordshire (Village)". gazetteer.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  2. J. S. WILSON, IVOR J. BROWN. "WHETSTONE MINING AT GILLOW HEATH, NEAR BIDDULPH, STAFFS" (PDF). pdmhs.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Gillow Heath Whetstone Mine - Buddlepit Mine Database". Buddlepit. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  4. "Local History". Biddulph - The Garden Town of Staffordshire. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  5. "Staffordshire Knot". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  6. "Biddulph Bus Use". Biddulph - The Garden Town of Staffordshire. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  7. "Gillow Heath – Bus Times". bustimes.org. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  8. GENUKI. "Genuki: Some Railway Stations of Staffordshire 1872, Staffordshire". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  9. "Smokies, 5.9 or 7.8 miles". www.ramblers.org.uk. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.