Today, many travel through the town of Leek on their way to somewhere else, yet those who do stop are quickly rewarded. Once famous for silk production, which has long ceased, Leek retains a strong sense of its past, which is a fascinating blend of global silk history, a glorious architectural heritage and moorland scenery. Although now converted to other functions, several huge mill buildings once used for making yarn and cloth survive alongside a varied and noteworthy range of distinctive buildings built during the Arts and Crafts and Gothic Revival eras. Commercial premises, private houses and a number of fine churches by distinguished architects continue to dominate the townscape, providing a strong sense of continuity.

The town, which still retains its market town status, is set against the rugged landscape of the Staffordshire Moorlands, which provide a water supply and a dramatic backdrop, with miles of meandering drystone walls and a multitude of buildings of weathered local stone. Many of the region's churches, too, are quarried from the landscape, and blend in with the hills and river valleys. They enclose another important heritage, however, that is mainly hidden from sight. Those who know where to look will discover a legacy of the time when richly coloured silks, including fine embroidery, were produced locally. Inside, in calculated contrast to the local stone, can be found embroidered silks designed to stand out as a focal point. The impact they made in the nineteenth century was profound and that effect endures, as the silks are varied and astonishing. Many are decorated with India's timeless patterns and are still radiant with the intense natural colour applied in Leek. Now a valued legacy, they speak of outstanding design and demanding techniques that were once part of daily life in town and village. They are symbolic of the town's relationship with its natural features and specialist skills, which were adapted to serve global demands. They reflect a distinct community structure along with aesthetic, entrepreneurial and spiritual values, and stand today as reminders of the global silk trade and the wider preoccupations of the residents.