Landscapes Around Stoke-On-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent’s landscape features rolling farmland with well-groomed hedgerows to reduce scale and direct views, along with isolated trees and stream valleys that add character and add interest.
Stoke-on-Trent sits within the Stoke-on-Trent Green Belt, an environmental and planning policy governing rural space between it and Newcastle-under-Lyme that extends into Cheshire. As such, Hanley Bus Station serves as an ideal launching pad to explore this part of Cheshire by bus.
1. The Potteries
The Potteries has long been recognized as a center for ceramic production. Boasting over 300 years of tradition and boasting six towns renowned for pottery production – Burslem, Hanley, Longton Tunstall Fenton and Stoke-on-Trent are just a few – it makes visiting The Potteries an essential stop on any pottery lovers’ travel itinerary.
Discovering The Potteries can be accomplished through various modes, from full day tours to weekend stays. With its comprehensive visitor centres and museums as well as factory tours and hands-on opportunities such as trying out the potter’s wheel, this city will keep visitors engaged throughout any visit or stayover. You won’t get bored even on short trips here!
History shows The Potteries has always played an instrumental role in ceramic innovation and development. Here is where bone china first gained mass production, creating dinnerware lighter and more durable than before. Additionally, The Potteries was where Blue Willow pattern, an orientalized Chinese landscape design seen on many pieces of pottery originated as well as where Royal Doulton brand figurines originated.
Pottery throwing, or shaping clay on a potter’s wheel, remains popular today in The Potteries with talented local artists and artisans. Historic streets are lined with elegant Victorian buildings once housing some of the industry’s influential manufacturers; Spode Works in Burslem was once its main factory but now serves as an exhibition space for artists and designers where visitors can witness them at work.
City is also well known for producing teapots since the 1700s; visitors can learn more about this rich tradition at Emma Bridgewater Factory which offers various designs to satisfy every taste. No visit would be complete without tasting some authentic Staffordshire Oatcakes too!
As our train pulled away from Euston Station, tall buildings gave way to countryside and then large red brick towns as we journeyed north towards The Potteries. Before long, however, the train finally came to a stop in Stoke-on-Trent – one of England’s thriving cities!
2. The Staffordshire Moorlands
The Staffordshire Moorlands is an idyllic landscape made up of rolling sandstone hills and valleys, crags, forests, lakes and rivers that lies within Staffordshire county in England’s Peak District National Park. Leek town serves as its central market town with a rich history in farming as well as industrial production later on in 20th century before it eventually becoming popular tourist spot known for hiking and outdoor recreation.
In 2021, the average resident age in Staffordshire Moorlands was 49 years, which was slightly higher than England (40 years). Furthermore, this region boasts one of the lowest percentages of households that own their home outright or with a mortgage loan.
One of the best known hikes in Staffordshire Moorlands is Roaches and Lud’s Church Trail, an incredible scenic gritstone escarpment trail offering panoramic views of its surroundings. There are also other scenic trails perfect for nature enthusiasts or those seeking an exciting challenge – perfect for nature enthusiasts and those searching for adventure!
On the southern uplands of the Pennines, this district combines rugged limestone and sandstone landscape with high gritstone moors and valleys characterized by rugged hills and cliffs rising to heights exceeding 1,600 feet (505 m).
The district is abundant in natural resources such as coal, limestone and tin; mining used to be its key industry but today its economy relies on tourism and agriculture – hiking, mountain biking and bird watching are popular pastimes here; in addition to that the district features several parks and gardens such as Chatsworth House.
Leek has a rich history as a market town and was given royal charter in 1214. Over centuries it was host to weekly cattle markets for many decades before emerging as one of the major textile producers during the Industrial Revolution. Today it serves as a popular tourist destination and houses the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council; recently however, local tourism organization have attempted to promote their region by changing their name from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to Staffordshire Peak District; some businesses however objected strongly.
3. The Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park is the oldest national park in Britain, boasting exceptional natural beauty that has been created over millennia by human interaction with its environment. Covering five counties – Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester – its size equals that of London.
The Peak District, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, is known for its rugged gritstone cliffs and high-level limestone escarpments, rolling hills and deep dales. At its heart is Buxton – often dubbed ‘Capital of the Peak District’ due to its thermal spa baths, elegant Pavilion Gardens and Poole’s Cavern showcaves.
The park’s mountainous and valley terrain was formed by glacial movement, making them highly varied and providing endless opportunities to explore on foot or mountain bike. You’ll also discover numerous historical sites ranging from hill forts and hut circles to medieval castles.
Carsington Water, Derwent Water and Westport Lake provide ideal environments for water-based adventures within the Peak District. Popular spots for paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking activities include Carsington Water, Derwent Water and Westport Lake while nearby rivers Churnet and Dove offer opportunities for fishing activities.
Peak District offers more than its name would imply. Home to Europe’s highest concentration of limestone caves, this district contains White Lady Cave with its accessible entrance and Cathedral Cave – taking just 20 minutes to traverse from visitor centre down into this underground cavern!
Many visitors come to Stoke-on-Trent in search of outdoor adventures. As one of the UK’s greenest cities, Stoke-on-Trent boasts numerous beautiful parks, gardens and open spaces including Westport Lake and Park Hall Country Park as well as quiet off road cycle paths, greenways canal towpaths and river routes that welcome adventure seekers.
Inna and her family reside in Stoke-on-Trent and are always searching for exciting places to discover. From historical landmarks and cultural centers to national parks around the UK and beyond, Inna shares her travel adventures on Instagram as @4curiousadventurers or her website.
4. The City of Stoke-on-Trent
The City of Stoke-on-Trent is an urban federation formed of six older towns into one modern unified linear city covering an area of 36 square miles, approximately midway between Manchester and Birmingham and adjoining Newcastle-under-Lyme which is administered separately. Granted city status by King George V in 1925, its governing body for administration purposes is the City Council while once having had an elected mayor this role was eliminated after local referendums took place.
Hanley is an important shopping hub with many high street stores and the Intu Potteries shopping mall located there. Furthermore, there is also a cultural district containing theatres, museums and galleries as well as restaurants and bars for visitors.
Burslem Park at nine hectares is one of the largest registered Victorian parks in the UK; Hartshill Park with its sandstone canyons is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest; while Bucknall Park’s lake and horticulture offer excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Shelton boasts an acclaimed industrial past; notable figures from its history include English potter Josiah Wedgwood, automobile designer Sir William McLaren and Michelin who established their UK base during this era.
Though its manufacturing industry has recently experienced a decrease, this city remains an essential business center. Home to numerous technology firms and financial services firms such as Lloyds Bank, Stafford is conveniently situated for exploring Staffordshire Moorlands, Peak District National Park and Derbyshire Dales by bus; Hanley being its hub.
Stoke-on-Trent enjoys a temperate climate, featuring warm summers and cool winters. As it sits higher up than much of Staffordshire and Cheshire, it is less susceptible to extreme weather events than its counterparts. Furthermore, Stoke-on-Trent’s proximity to Keele University serves as an ideal base for academic or cultural trips throughout the region.
