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Audley
Audley is a rural former mining village just outside of Newcastle. The stunning scenery makes this a fantastic place to visit, and Audley itself is home to a theatre and a variety of activities and walks in the surrounding hills and valleys. The village itself actually contains a forgotten castle that is somewhat off the tourist trail, it is of Norman origins and is located near what is now referred to as "Castle Hill". Audley is the centre of the Audley Rural parish making it a focal point for community activities and events. Audley, like Alton and various other Staffordshire villages is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was originally known as Aldidlege and owned by a Saxon known as Gamel.
The area was originally very sparsely populated and its distance from towns such as Stafford and Chester meant that visitors were few and far between. Fortunately the number of trade caravans passing through the area increased and the location gradually began to become more populated, in the late 13th century a castle was constructed, unfortunately only a low earthwork remains of the motte. The village takes its modern name from James Audley, a founder member of the order of the Garter and illegitimate son of Thomas Audley. There is still a commemorative brass plaque in St James Church in to Thomas, who was the son of the second Lord of Audley, James.
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