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St. Leonard’s
Church is Grade 1 listed and is
thought to be the oldest place of
worship in Greater Manchester. The
original Norman church was built on
the site around 1056AD with the
church we see today charting back to
1524.
It was built in 1056 and was
designated a Grade I listed building
by English Heritage in 1957. A
wooden Saxon church is believed to
have occupied the site long before
the Norman church was built, in
about 1100. The church contains what
is thought to be the oldest War
Memorial in the country, remembering
the Battle of Flodden in 1513, the
longest battle between England and
Scotland in history.
It is reported that a secret tunnel
(although perhaps the publicising of
it makes it widely known) runs from
the church to the Ring o’ Bells
public house.
Long Street Methodist Church was
design by Middleton born – and world
renowned – architect Edgar Wood and
opened in 1901.
The design is known as arts and
craft and the central courtyard is
worth a look in itself.
The Old School House on Long Street
was built in 1842. The building was
founded by the Rector of Middleton,
Richard Durnford (today’s Durnford
Street shares the name). The
building was used as a school until
1979 and is currently used as a Day
Nursery.
The Old Grammer School
near spring
vale was built in 1586. The building
sits in the hollow, with only the
roof seen from road level. The
building was funded by Alexander Nowell (today’s Nowell Court shares
the name), Nowell was the Dean of
St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Olde Boars Head on Long Street is
perhaps one of Middleton’s most
famous buildings. Built around 1587
the public house has many claims to
fame including a visit from Bonnie
Prince Charles in 1745.
Later additions included a Session
House and was used as the local
courthouse.
Middleton Market through Lord
Suffield (former Suffield Street and
today’s Suffield House (Middleton
Gardens share the name) gained it’s
Royal Charter in 1791 under King
George III to hold a weekly Friday
market and three annual fairs. Today
the market takes place near the
former site of Lord Suffield’s
warehouse and shambles in Middleton
Gardens.
Warwick Mill is Grade 2 listed and
although rundown today still stands
proud on the skyline. The mill was
built 1907-1911 and was designed by
Oldham architect Joseph Stott who
also designed Don, Rex Lodge, Irk
mills in Middleton.
Its deep body makes it a difficult
mill to find a modern day use for,
as large parts of the centre would
be without natural light.
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