A Closer Look Cheadle's Doors

We all use them, we all need them, but have you ever considered the variety, beauty, and history of our front doors? They welcome visitors, keep out the cold, and are a true symbol of all we hold dear.

This month we take a look at local doors from times past. Cheadle is full of historic doors. We walk past them every day and take for granted the beauty, style, and craftsmanship of these unique pieces. So take a walk with us and take a fresh look at an old but important part of everyday life.

To see the full images, click on one and use the arrows to move through the selection.

A Door Quiz

Answers at the foot of the page:

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  A. Cheadle's most Iconic Door

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  B. Refreshment Awaits Behind this High Street Door

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  C. This Nook Door is as plain as Black & White

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  D. The Door of Regal Oak Origins

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  E. You can Bank on this Being a Beautiful Door in its Day

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  F. Many have travelled through this Door and Still Do

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  G. A local Doctor and his Doctor Son once lived here

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  H. A door no longer but the organisation still thrives.

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Doors in Distress: Beautiful Doors in Need of a Little Love

Not all our doors are well cared for, but they are still loved. Some are in our conservation area, which means that owners have a responsibility to keep their doors looking original and in keeping with our historic town. Local authorities can enforce breaches of conservation rules if they choose to do so.

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  The Door of Regal Oak Origins

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  You can Bank on this Being a Beautiful Door in its Day

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  You'll need to travel through one of the others to see this Historic Beauty

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Just Because...

These doors are included because we just love them and thought you might love them too!

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Door Facts You Might Not Know...

The oldest surviving door is the oak door at Westminster Abbey dating back to the 1050s.

The Georgians (1714 to 1837) created fanlights - semi-circular glass windows placed above the door, which became a hallmark design to let light into dark hallways.

The slanted zero at Number 10: The famous black front door of Number 10 Downing Street has a "10" where the zero is slightly slanted. This is an intentional tribute to the original door, which featured an ill-fitting, crooked zero.

Front door letterboxes (or mail slots) were widely encouraged by the Royal Mail around 1849 to save postmen from knocking and waiting up to an hour and a half for residents to answer the door.

The Victorians (1837 to 1901) viewed the front door as a status symbol - elaborate panels and carvings showed off a homeowner's wealth.

Answers:

A. Pugin's Gem

B. The Summer House, High Street Cheadle

C. The Tudor Nook & Creative Cheadle

D. The Royal Oak

E. The Old Lloyds Bank Building High Street Cheadle

F. The Wheatsheaf (Wetherspoons)

G. Lulworth House High Street Cheadle

H. Osbourne House near the corner of the High Street & Leek Road

A Closer Look Cheadle's Doors