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Stoke-on-Trent’s world-class museums, thrilling theme parks and gorgeous gardens provide endless entertainment. Discover a new perspective during a canal cruise or tour Ford Green Hall Museum located in Smallthorne – both offer unique ways to spend an enjoyable day!<\/p>\n

Take on rollercoasters at Alton Towers and relax in Trentham Gardens’ tranquil park, which features conservatories and a Monkey Forest with 140 Barbary macaques!<\/p>\n

Drayton Manor Theme Park<\/h2>\n

Drayton Manor Theme Park and Hotel are family-owned attractions located on the grounds of Drayton Manor House in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire, England. Covering an area of 280 acres, approximately 1.5 million people visit annually with rides and attractions designed specifically for all age groups ensuring everyone can find something enjoyable!<\/p>\n

The park is owned and managed by the Bryan family since 1949. After its original manor house was demolished during World War I, its site was converted into an amusement park in 1954 – since when, family-friendly attractions have been added such as Europe’s only Thomas Land and a 15-acre zoo.<\/p>\n

Recently, the park has made efforts to compete with nearby Alton Towers by installing unique attractions to draw in visitors. One such ride is The Wave: an updated version of Shockwave roller coaster featuring lower height restrictions and updated trains and effects, making it more accessible for children as well as adults alike.<\/p>\n

Maelstrom and Thor rides offer more intense thrills, suitable for guests of all ages and featuring vertical lifts to take guests up to the top. After reaching this height, guests descend through drops and twists while plummeting towards earth.<\/p>\n

Young children will enjoy exploring this park’s many family-oriented attractions, such as Sir Topham Hatt’s Showcase and Rory’s Fun & Games. Additionally, its zoo boasts Red pandas, Eurasian Lynxes and Sumatran tigers for viewing pleasure.<\/p>\n

Thomas Land is an area dedicated to Thomas and Friends at the park that features over 25 child-friendly attractions. Visitors can ride the Sodor Railway, explore Tidmouth Sheds and see models of Thomas, Percy and Rosie; other activities in Thomas Land include bertie Bus and Jeremy Jet’s Flying Academy; also in this area is Island of Sodor where your little ones can meet all their favourite engines and marvel at an unforgettable Thomas exhibition!<\/p>\n

Alton Towers<\/h2>\n

Alton Towers is an international theme park offering thrilling rides for visitors of all ages. Offering more than 40 rides – including world-class rollercoasters – and family-friendly attractions, Alton Towers provides world-class fun. Additionally, live entertainment can be found within its walls such as shows showcasing impressive feats of skill and artistry.<\/p>\n

As well as featuring thrilling rides and attractions, the theme park also provides guests with a variety of food and drinks from restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops and fast-food outlets to themed carts and stalls selling snacks throughout its premises. In addition, there is also a waterpark as part of this complex.<\/p>\n

Alton Towers’ old buildings offer one of the greatest opportunities for discovery. Constructed in the early 1800s as home for 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, these Gothic and Victorian masterpieces boast beautiful details that showcase Gothic and Victorian architectural styles. Plus, its gardens surround are breathtaking – lush with greenery and ornate decorations!<\/p>\n

Take time during your visit to enjoy all the park exhibits and displays. With interactive and educational exhibits tailored for children of all ages – as well as a planetarium providing visitors an up-close look at night sky – as well as shows featuring everything from comedy, magic, puppetry and puppet shows!<\/p>\n

The theme park is open year-round, though it closes for several weeks in January for maintenance purposes. Holiday crowds make the park especially busy; during these times visitors should expect long lines. Seasonal events at Scarefest (an annual Halloween festival) offer something extra.<\/p>\n

Alton Towers’ fireworks shows are an enjoyable holiday tradition and have been running on the Great Lawn since 1990. Each show includes music and other entertainment to ensure an enjoyable evening experience.<\/p>\n

Trentham Gardens<\/h2>\n

Trentham Gardens offer something for all at Trentham Gardens. Children will delight in walking the UK’s first barefoot walk, losing themselves in a hide and speak maze or embarking on a Fairy Quest to locate 21 magical fairy homes scattered throughout the park. Additionally, children can use an adventure playground, test their skills on a 9 hole disc golf course and experience rowing boats or high-energy polo sessions on Capability Brown designed lake.<\/p>\n

Trentham Gardens are amongst the top gardens in the nation, thanks to their contemporary revival of an historic garden. Boasting stunning perennial plantings that change with every season, Trentham Gardens are breathtaking to experience all year-round. Admire its grand 19th-century Italian Gardens featuring manicured hedges, flower beds and Floral Labyrinth; or explore its Show Gardens that include therapeutic Sound Garden, Jurassic Garden and Winter Wildlife Garden for breathtaking vistas and seasonal vistas.<\/p>\n

Wander the woodlands and parkland trails of Trentham Gardens’ woodlands and parkland trails to experience various habitats, ranging from woodland to wetlands and wildflower meadows, vast lakes with water lily ponds and bird hides, vast lakes with water lily ponds, bird hides, electric Miss Elizabeth mini train ride, lakeside walk or go for an enjoyable ride on one of its trails!<\/p>\n

Photographers looking for inspiration should visit Trentham Hall. Once owned by the Sutherland family and demolished during the 20th century, take photos of its clock tower, elegant balcony, stunning lake and woodland views from its parkland as well as stunning architecture of Trentham Hall’s ghost mansion.<\/p>\n

Other attractions and sights in Staffordshire include the magnificent Monument to the 1st Duke of Sutherland erected by Winks in 1834 and designed by Chantrey; an exquisite example of classical colossal statuery and one of its most magnificent pieces in Staffordshire.<\/p>\n

Trentham Estate provides many food and drink options when you need a refresh. The Italian Garden Tearoom, set within its gardens, features brunches, afternoon teas and seasonal experiences like “Breakfast with Santa”. Or try one of the other options such as Tearoom Kiosk or Italian Garden Cafe before sitting outside on Summer Terrace for some sightseeing and relaxation. Those interested in shopping can visit Trentham Shopping Village which features timber lodges housing both independent retailers as well as familiar brands.<\/p>\n

Etruria Valley<\/h2>\n

Etruria may be more commonly associated with its English pottery town of the same name; however, its captivating region in north-central Italy also holds remnants from ancient Etruscan civilization that left behind treasures such as Tarquinia which hosts one of only remaining frescoed tombs from this highly developed ancient civilisation. Our Etruscan Mystery Tour and Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia allows you to uncover these cultural and historic wonders while having fun!<\/p>\n

Orvieto was one of the last Etruscan centers to fall to Rome during the 3rd century BCE, yet its Etruscan heritage continues to be displayed at its clifftop city in Italy at the Museo Claudio Faina e Civico museum, with notable pieces like Urna degli Sposi (Urn of Spouses), which depicts an elderly couple, as well as pieces from Terracotta such as L’Ombra della sera (Shadow of Evening).<\/p>\n

Pitigliano is another hill town crowned with tufa that allows you to experience fascinating Etruscan excavations of underground tufa caves, as well as an impressive synagogue, making this historic hill town known as Little Jerusalem. Cerveteri was an Etruscan center from the 7th to 5th centuries BCE; today its star attraction is Necropoli di Banditaccia: an intriguing city of the dead lined by Hobbit-sized tumuli topped with turf; while within Cerveteri’s compact historic center lies further Etruscan treasures from Etruscan times at Museo Nazionale Cerite.<\/p>\n

Stoke-on-Trent is world renowned for its ceramics, and no visit would be complete without visiting Gladstone China Works, now the last fully intact Victorian pottery factory in Britain. Here you can witness bone china tableware being manufactured in its original workshops and bottle kilns; also find artifacts including the famed Staffordshire Hoard on display here!<\/p>\n

Each October from the third Friday through the fourth Sunday, Orvieto hosts its signature EuroChocolate festival, celebrating cocoa sweetmeat that it is so widely known for. Offering exquisite chocolate tastings as well as themed theater performances and cinematic presentations.<\/p>\n