Originally nothing more than a collection of hamlets on the boundary of Ashton-under-Lyne, Lees is a now a thriving village with a long and lively history, the name itself being traceable to the 14th century Lord of the Manor, John de Leghes. Indeed, in her book Looking Back at Lees Freda Millet has charted the history of the area back as far as 1350, a mere 284 years after the battle of Hastings and some 200 years before the birth of Shakespeare (and there ends the brief history lesson).

In the early 1800's Lees gained considerable notoriety as an area blessed with health giving waters, and during the month of August 1821, the local mineral springs, first discovered in the late 1700's, were visited by no less than 60,000 people. Indeed, so renowned did it become that the waters were bottled and sold around the country as 'The Lees Foundation of Health'. Though these stories are hard to verify, local names such as 'Spring Lane' and 'Springhead' do seem to invest them with the ring of truth.

Later on in the 1800's Oldham's thriving cotton industry expanded to include Lees, and with 11 mills at the heart of the local economy, the area was granted Urban District status in 1894. Naturally there were many mill lodges in the area, and apparently Hopkin Mill Lodge was particularly popular with model yacht enthusiasts. Many of the houses still in existence today were built around this time for the hundreds of cotton mill workers, but sadly Lees's prosperity dwindled as quickly as it had grown, when the cotton industry in England collapsed and all but died out.

Lees today,however, is undergoing something of a revival, and from being a cluster of buildings between Springhead and Grotton that you'd miss if you blinked, it has grown into an attractive 21st century village with a compact yet bustling commercial centre which is home to a variety of different businesses.
Where once a humble cobbler might have plied his trade, there is now Le Paradis and Pitter Patter, providing designer footwear for women and children. And for anyone concerned with the way they look, (and who isn't?), Lees is an absolute haven of diverse services, with Premier Hair salon taking care of your hair, Atomic and Sophie's catering for the fashion conscious, Slender World, The Tanning Room and Nails 4 U looking after your appearance and Spic & Span cleaning up the mess afterwards. In addition, there are plenty of places to eat and drink in Lees, including a selection of good local pubs and lively bars, and top class restaurants providing excellent cuisine from around the world.

Up the hill in Grotton is Relish, Wilson Rogers Hairdressers & Charlesworth Bedrooms, whilst just down the road in Springhead are G & G Carpets, Reflection, Bespoke Cabinets now Mathew James, and Senses. (And a short cab ride away just below Austerlands is Mallons restaurant and bar, and The Three Crowns which is well worth a visit).
All in all, Lees is a great place to live and a splendid place to visit and if the historians are to be believed, even drinking the water is good for you.