Historically, three main factors have influenced the position of and development of Baldwins Gate village.  The building of the Grand Junction railway line in 1837, including Whitmore station (closed in 1952), gave rise to significant commercial activity, serving as it did Newcastle and the Potteries before the Stoke line was opened.  The sale by the Cavenagh-Mainwaring family in 1920 of a large parcel of land either side of the railway line allowed the village to develop and expand.  The auction in 1921 by direction of the Marquis of Crewe of the 4493 acres of Madeley Estate which included Baldwins Gate Farm (184 acres), is believed to have given the village its name.  At this time the village consisted of a handful of cottages in Coneygreave Lane, Moss Lane, Station Approach and beside the Main Road.  The Methodist Chapel at the western end of the village was built in 1859.  Station House, a Grade 2 listed building of particular note, built by Roland Cavenagh-Mainwaring in 1839, stands to this day next to the railway.

The Baldwins Gate Primary School located in the Meadowfields Estate, was opened on 22 April 1969; coincidentally, village schools in Whitmore and Butterton closed.  The current school roll has about 110 children, drawn from a catchment area of Butterton, Chapel Chorlton, Acton, Whitmore, Maer, Aston and Blackbrook.

The village has two shops, a Post Office and Petrol station (providing confectionery and lottery tickets) situated along the main road.  These provide a wide range of consumer products including newspapers, general groceries and a butchery.  The Sheet Anchor public house with its restaurant and childrens play area, is a popular venue for both local and passing trade.  A branch doctors surgery and dispensary of Madeley is located on the main road on the corner of Tollgate Avenue.

Traffic and transport issues impact considerably on the parish and will continue to do so in the future, particularly as Baldwins Gate and Whitmore villages lie astride the main A53 Newcastle to Shrewsbury Road.  The road forms part of the strategic highway network and carries significant volumes of traffic from and to the North Staffordshire conurbation.  The forecast growth in traffic from 21 million today to over 32 million by 2025, the limited provision of public transport and continued commuting, raises serious concerns about road safety, traffic noise, vibration and pollution.

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