Holiday Destinations in Stoke-On-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent, or The Potteries, is an idyllic spot where industrial heritage blends seamlessly with green spaces and modern attractions. Visit family-friendly venues such as the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Elizabethan Ford Green Hall; for thrill-seekers there is Trentham Gardens which covers 750 acres of parks, lakes and woodland, complete with fairy trail and barefoot walk!
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery on Bethesda Street in Hanley brings together all the people that shaped Stoke-on-Trent. It showcases fine and decorative arts, costume, local history, archaeology and natural science collections; world-class collections of Staffordshire ceramics; the Staffordshire Hoard; as well as Reginald Mitchell’s World War II Spitfire designed by local hero Reginald Mitchell – among many more things!
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is one of four local authority museums in Stoke-on-Trent and serves as a major cultural attraction, boasting Designated Collection status and offering exhibitions, events, guided tours, educational activities for schools as well as drop-in craft sessions, Foyer Shop purchases and children’s trails.
In the main gallery, rooms that showcase the history of Stoke-on-Trent and its people take visitors on an immersive journey through time. The Technical Gallery displays production techniques; Local History Gallery depicts domestic and working life (such as schoolroom, pub and reconstructed chip shop); Archaeology gallery showcases Stoke’s rich archaeological heritage including prehistoric technologies through daily Roman life in household, medieval monasticism in monasterys, as well as potters’ techniques of Burslem in early days.
Redeveloping the museum to give its remarkable collections more room is underway, while an ongoing series of lectures and talks focusing on 1918: The Unexpected Victory by military historian Andrew Robertshaw followed by pie and pea supper (7pm 10 Aug PS10) is being hosted. Meanwhile Meredith Towne will explore women’s role in World War I while serving up cream tea (1pm 19 Aug PS10); some events may even be free but reservations should be made beforehand!
Tunstall Park
Tunstall Park is an enjoyable family destination offering many activities and amenities for visitors of all ages. Nestled within an area rich in history, Tunstall Park makes for a wonderful way to take in nature as it houses an abundance of fauna that make this an ideal spot to unwind.
The park offers various recreational activities, from cycling and walking, to sporting facilities like soccer fields and bowls courts. Furthermore, Victoria Park – which features Grade II heritage buildings such as its clock tower and floral hall – as well as its large playground with tram/transport-themed play equipment is located within these grounds.
Tunstall Park provides hiking enthusiasts with many trails suitable for all skill levels. One popular trail, Tunstall Riverwalk Conservation Area, provides scenic views and wildlife sightings along with breathtaking waterfall views – making this trail an excellent place for recreational or professional hiking adventures alike.
Tunstall village provides visitors with a pleasant respite and offers numerous attractions. All Saints Church, dating back to 12th century and grade II listed building is a major draw, along with Sand le Mere Holiday Village caravan park and Sand le Mere Village beach club caravan park for caravanning enthusiasts and a wide variety of restaurants, pubs and supermarkets in Tunstall village itself. Other popular destinations nearby are Hull with its rich maritime history represented at Hull Maritime Museum as well as Beverley with its charming market and impressive Beverley Minster cathedral – both well worth considering!
Ford Green Hall
Stoke-on-Trent is a hidden gem when it comes to British city breaks, offering everything from engaging museums and factories, breathtaking natural beauty, record-breaking rollercoasters, revitalized gardens and exciting Alton Towers rollercoasters – not forgetting plenty of great cafes, bakeries and high-end restaurants for dining! This vibrant destination also has plenty of places for visitors to eat such as cafes and bakeries as well as high-end restaurants – ensuring it makes an excellent destination.
Explore Stoke-on-Trent’s history at Ford Green Hall, a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse turned period museum. This award-winning attraction houses antique bottle kilns, Victorian art pottery and displays on its rich coal mining history. After your tour is complete, take a stroll through Tunstall Park for a relaxing stroll lined with gorgeous floral gardens – or even visit nearby Tunstall Park itself for more historical and natural sights!
Trentham Estate in Stoke offers three attractions under one roof. Enjoy a mile-long walk around a picturesque lake or visit revitalized Italian and magnificent flower gardens; additionally there is also a gorgeous manor house, cafe and shop at this 3-in-1 attraction.
Are you seeking an enjoyable yet relaxing way to discover Stoke? Take a canal cruise along its waters and see it from a whole new angle, listening to informative commentary as you sip on local beer while sipping some. When finished, stretch your legs on an idyllic stroll along one of its towpaths!
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Trentham Gardens
Trentham Gardens is an extraordinary experience for all. Spread across 725 acres of lush parkland, these award winning gardens have bounced back from difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic to attract more visitors than ever! In 2019 alone they saw 837,500 paid visits – making Trentham Gardens an absolute’must see’ when experiencing Staffordshire in bloom!
These stunning new-look gardens have evolved into some of the finest gardens in Britain, acclaimed as “garden makeover of the decade” by multi-Chelsea gold medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith as part of a dramatic contemporary revival of Italian Gardens and Rivers of Grass by multi-Chelsea award winner Nigel Dunnett; additionally impressive are secluded Floral Labyrinths and expansive meadow schemes designed by both landscape architects.
Experience Capability Brown’s mile long lake on a leisurely lakeside walk featuring several water features, bird hide, and the magnificent Perseus and Medusa sculpture based off Benvenuto Cellini’s original 1550s work by Benvenuto Cellini himself! Or why not charter a rowing boat or eco-powered catamaran cruise for an enjoyable scenic cruise experience?
Children visiting Trentham will enjoy the adventure playground, Hide and Speak Maze, the UK’s first Barefoot Walk featuring mud, pebbles and bark to tantalise toes, as well as discovering 14 fairies who call Trentham their home via the Fairy Trail. Indulge your inner child at Forest Explorer where woodland walks meet assault courses and nets before challenging yourself on Aerial Extreme high ropes adventure!
Trentham Estate offers something for everyone with combined tickets that include Trentham Monkey Forest, Garden Centre and Shopping Village all under one roof. Visit their website for details! Plus they boast an abundance of restaurants, cafes and shops!
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is the UK’s premier theme park, boasting world-class rides and attractions like gravity-defying rollercoasters that take thrill seekers on heart-pounding loops or spine-tingling haunted dark houses for spine-tingling experiences. Additionally, families with young children will appreciate family friendly attractions like Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, Postman Pat’s Mailstation or CBeebies Land that cater to family fun!
For maximum excitement at Alton Towers, arrive as early as possible each day – the gates open at 10am, when it tends to be at its calmest. By arriving early you’ll have time to take advantage of all its attractions without waiting in long queues!
Purchase your Photo Pass at the Emporium before heading out to ride entrances; this will give you access to free digital photos of all of the moments from your day, as well as save a seat in line.
Do not be intimidated to request a fast track ticket if you are an established visitor or have children under 12 years of age; it will enable you to skip most queues and enjoy even more attractions during your day in the park.
The theme park provides accommodation options to meet every budget imaginable, from five-star Alton Towers Hotel and Splash Landings hotel to Stargazing Pods and even camping! There’s even the Enchanted Village which features woodland lodges and treehouses as well as treehouses in its woodland retreat, or experience something truly remarkable by booking into Uggland Hotel’s magical lake setting!
