4 Stoke-On-Trent Villages

Stoke-on-Trent is generally safe city; however, it is wise to remain alert and take care when walking alone at night. Keep in mind that emergency services can be reached directly and for free via all payphones.

Six original towns joined to form the modern conurbation city in 1925, and its polycentric nature remains visible today. Asking directions to the “city center” may elicit confusion instead of answering with certainty.

Longnor

Longnor is located on a scenic moorland ridge at the head of two prominent valleys – Dove to its north and Manifold to its south – making it an ideal starting point for exploring their upper reaches and their breathtaking valleys. As well as offering one of the Peak District’s most striking cliff walks at Edge Top.

Longnor is home to an attractive market square with cobbled pathways sloping gently downward. Here is where visitors will find general stores, delicatessens and craft and coffee shops lining its edges; its Victorian market hall has now been converted to an art gallery; there are various pubs – the Red Bull among them – plus fish and chip restaurants/takeaways/bus services running between Longnor and Buxton on route 442 and serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the Peak District.

Longnor is a tiny village, yet filled with history. The village features numerous historic buildings and attractions. Longnor was once a market town; evidence can still be seen in its cobbled market square featuring remains of a market cross. According to Domesday Book records it existed by 700AD!

At one time part of Alstonfield parish, Alstonfield Chapelry became its own chapelry in 1737 with St Bartholomew’s as its parish church – much to the delight of local villagers who no longer had to travel seven miles for weekly services, weddings and funerals at Alstonfield.

Longnor is home to an active community and several societies and groups, such as the Longnor and Leebotwood Heritage Society, Gardening Club and Old Longnor Preservation Trust. Additionally, Longnor Craft Centre sells furniture made by local craftspeople as well as items by local artists and writers.

Explore Longnor’s history using Walkfo, an audio tour app available on iPhone and Android that uses GPS technology to trigger audio when approaching historic places in Longnor. Useful while walking, cycling or driving around town; Walkfo provides an experience similar to visiting museums or art galleries!

Hanley

Hanley Village is an idyllic retreat from city life, offering activities such as shopping, sports, and entertainment. Hanley residents are known for their welcoming nature and rich history dating back to early 1700s.

Hanley was once home to some of the Potteries’ premier ceramic and coal/iron manufacturers. However, by 1910 it had amalgamated with Longton Fenton Tunstall Burslem to form Stoke-on-Trent city proper and is today an attractive shopping and business centre with several high-street chain stores.

Portland Street today may seem unassuming and peaceful, yet its traditional working-class neighbourhood was targeted for demolition in 2002 as part of the government’s Pathfinder Scheme that targeted terraced houses deemed incompatible for modern families. Residents fought back, and eventually the scheme was scrapped.

Hanley derives its meaning from the Old English term for ‘high meadow”. Although unisex in nature, boys tend to take on this name most frequently. Since 1918 it has ranked at number 174 on U.S. census lists; still popular today particularly among Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents.

Early 1800s saw significant development along Keelings Lane and Upper Green. By 1829, William Ridgway of Northwood House had transformed the area ‘from an undesirable and neglected part of Hanley into a lovely, cleanly and well-ordered hamlet’; rebuilding his own house as well as clearing away numerous unsightly cottages and objects as well as creating several neat almshouses for widows in decay.

Tontine Street was home to an impressive covered market built as a shambles in 1831 (fn 161). It featured an elegant Classical stone facade on its eastern side that consisted of three-bay Doric colonnades that ended at three-pedimented wings topped by classical colonnades.

Hanley is connected by numerous bus routes throughout North Staffordshire and beyond, run primarily by First Potteries; National Express coaches operate services across the UK as well.

Burslem

Burslem was long known as one of the four Mother Towns of the Potteries (Hanley, Tunstall, Fenton and Longton are also part of this area), serving as a hub of earthenware and china manufacturing industries in North Staffordshire. Josiah Wedgwood had his factories here. Today Burslem houses numerous service industries and distribution centres and also hosts both collegiate schools and universities for higher learning.

In the eighteenth century, elites in town invested consciously in cultural capital to distinguish themselves from local rivals and the wider nation. This approach reflected the ethos of industrial revolution where success was linked with urban identity and pride; therefore it was expected that an increase in culture would bring with it increased social and civic attainments that would ultimately improve its standing against inter-urban competition.

This town possessed an abundance of buildings, some still in use today and listed by English Heritage; many are used for museum or heritage center displays and events commemorate their heritage. Due to its status as “Mother Town”, as well as that of the Potteries as a whole, more interest has been shown towards this region; numerous events celebrate it’s heritage annually.

An annual Burslem Festival provides the town with an opportunity to showcase its cultural and historic heritage, with musical performances, food, dance, theatre performances and much more – not forgetting some of its most prominent landmarks! It takes place each January.

This book covers the history of six towns comprising Stoke-on-Trent in England – Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Fenton and Longton – that make up its City: Hanley, Burslem Tunstall Fenton Longton. Including maps and illustrations depicting notable sites, this easy to read text provides an introduction to its past with suggestions for further reading as well as information on 25 famous individuals from this region who made an impactful mark upon it.

It also explores the changes that have taken place over time, from ceramic production to contemporary environmental issues and sustainable living concerns, which have come to the fore in local communities, with particular focus on social justice and involvement.

Tunstall

Tunstall lies to the west of Birmingham and boasts several museums and attractions, such as Tunstall Museum of Natural History with exhibits of fossils and wildlife from all around the world, pottery from Alfred Meakin of Adams Dynasty Potters fame, as well as its large collection of pottery artifacts gathered by Alfred himself from around Tunstall – it also provides employment in its pottery business; not to mention, world-famous ceramic tiles produced in Tunstall are well-known world-wide!

Pittsylvania offers an excellent school system and is home to the University of North Staffordshire, while Pittsylvania County Public Schools provide numerous student activities that foster creativity and collaboration. Their namesake speaks volumes for how forward-looking their founders were, which echoes today as part of its community spirit.

Telehealth solutions have ushering in a new era in healthcare technology, making it easier for patients to connect with their physicians and stay in touch with loved ones. Tunstall Healthcare Group, one of Europe’s pioneering telehealth companies, partners with universities to advance digital innovation; Edinburgh University stands as an exemplary partner that furthers telehealth industry progress.

Tunstall has always been a welcoming community for people from diverse backgrounds, boasting an abundance of English, Irish and Scottish heritage. Tunstall’s historic buildings and churches showcase its longstanding past while its modern industries highlight its strong sense of community spirit.

Tunstall boasts an extremely diverse population, consisting of numerous religious and cultural groups. Tunstall hosts numerous places of worship – both formal and non-conformist such as Catholic, Church of England, Methodists and Baptists can all be found within its limits.

Tunstall is an emerging community with an emphasis on arts and education. Its schools are widely considered outstanding, while many residents possess advanced degrees. Tunstall also serves as a hub for health care with many hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities nearby; its population continues to increase while its economy expands quickly.