Oulton, Stone Rural
Oulton is a small village in the English county of Staffordshire. The village is located north of the market town of Stone and near to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Located in the Moddershall Valley, the geography of the area is defined by Scotch Brook which runs west from the village of Moddershall towards its confluence with the River Trent. During the 18th century Industrial Revolution, Scotch Brook became the most intensively exploited waterway in Staffordshire, with nine Flint grinding mills located in the valley in total, and three within the confines of Oulton village. The entire Moddershall Valley is now part of a designated Conservation Area.[1]
The village achieved prominent positions in Staffordshire's Best Kept Village Awards in 2009 and 2010. Oulton also boasts the picturesque Downs Banks on its doorstep, and is within half an hour's drive to the Peak District National Park. Kibblestone Scout Camp is located to the north east of the village, and sits in 200 acres (81 ha) of countryside.
An enclosed Benedictine community of nuns have lived at Oulton since 1853, residing at Oulton Abbey.
Oulton and Oulton Heath are populated by professional families, affluent individuals and a retiree community towards the heart of the village. The natural landscape and proximity to Stone contribute to high property prices relative to the surrounding area.
Governance
For administrative purposes Oulton forms part of Stone Rural civil parish which, in turn, forms part of the borough of Stafford.
References
- Staffordshire County Council: Moddershall Valley- Conservation Area, designation No.76, 1987