Keele, village in Staffordshire, England, UK
Keele is a village and civil parish in Staffordshire near Newcastle-under-Lyme, known for Keele University located in the heart of the settlement. The village consists of traditional homes with brick walls and tiled roofs, quiet winding streets, and St. John the Baptist Church, which contains medieval sections.
The land was farming territory in ancient times, when the Knights Templar founded Keele Preceptory around 1168 to serve travelers and collect revenues. Keele Hall was owned by the Sneyd family from the 15th century until the 1940s, when they sold the estate which became the foundation for Keele University's creation in 1950.
The name Keele comes from old words meaning 'Cow-hill', reflecting the area's ancient farming heritage. Today, students and university staff shape village life, while traditional pubs like the Sneyd Arms remain gathering places where locals and visitors share time together.
The village is easily reached by bus and sits on the A53 road, with the M6 motorway nearby for quick connections to other places. Visitors can walk through the village, explore the surrounding fields and historic buildings, or stop at local cafes.
The village was featured in a version of the Monopoly board game in 2007 because of its university's prominence. Sculptures and a building shaped like a Templar Cross still commemorate the Knights Templar who arrived in the 12th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
