The Staffordshire city of Stoke-on-Trent is home to a rich industrial history in a beautiful location. Only one and a half hours from London and less than an hour from Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent is a wonderful weekend getaway location for those in the area and a worthy destination for United Kingdom visitors. The city’s stores, museums, outdoor venues, and visitor centers are renowned for their quality, making Stoke-on-Trent a must-visit city. Don’t miss these top nine activities on your next trip to Stoke-on-Trent.
1. Experience beautiful pottery at the Gladstone Pottery Museum
Stoke-on-Trent is the official world capital of pottery and there’s no better way to experience the city’s finest ceramic pieces than at the Gladstone Pottery Museum. Situated in an old Victorian pottery factory, the museum’s exhibits showcase how pottery and china tableware was made in the former Gladstone China Works during Stoke-on-Trent’s time at the center of the global pottery industry. While at the museum, you can watch pottery making demonstrations and try to throw a pot on a wheel during a pottery class. The Gladstone Pottery Museum is a family-friendly attraction perfect for all art and history fanatics of all ages!
Gladstone Pottery Museum
Address: Uttoxeter Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1PQ, UK
Website: Gladstone Pottery Museum
2. Visit England’s Peak District National Park
The Peak District is one of England’s most beautiful national parks. Within the park, there are two distinct areas of diverse ecosystems; in the north (Dark Peak area), rolling hills, moorlands, and gritstone rock dominate the landscape while the southern region (White Peak area) is home to a number of caves and valleys. Regardless of which region you choose to visit, the Peak District is a great way to take part in a broad spectrum of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to climbing and fishing. While in the Peak District, you can head out on your own or join a ranger-led program. Don’t miss out on this beautiful national park near Stoke-on-Trent during your next visit.
Peak District National Park
Address: Bridge St, Bakewell DE45 1DS, UK
Website: Peak District National Park
3. Tour the historic Trentham Gardens and Estate
The Trentham Estate is one of the United Kingdom’s largest remaining garden estates and a top visitor destination. The Trentham Estate is a diverse and beautifully manicured landscape in a central location just outside of Stoke-on-Trent. While at the estate, be sure to check out the award-winning Trentham Gardens and the exciting Trentham Shopping Village. At the Trentham Gardens, be sure to enjoy the scenery around the Trentham Lake and the beauty of the flower beds in the Wildflower Meadow before heading to the Trentham Shopping Village for an afternoon of shopping and dining in beautiful cafes and eateries. There is something for everyone at the Trentham Gardens and Estate.
Trentham Gardens and Estate
Address: Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8JG, UK
Website: Trentham Gardens and Estate
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4. Watch Stoke City play Premier League football at bet365 Stadium
Stoke City is Stoke-on-Trent’s local English Premier League football club and attending a match is a must-do for football fanatics in the area. English football matches always draw a crowd and are known to be rowdy and exciting from start to finish. Stoke City is the second oldest football club in the world and its fans are exceptionally passionate. Whether you’re interested in the football or the atmosphere, a Stoke City football match is sure to be a good time.
Stoke City at bet365 Stadium
Address: Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4EG, UK
Website: Stoke City at bet365 Stadium
5. Learn about Anglo-Saxon culture and the Staffordshire Hoard collection at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is home to the world’s best collection of Staffordshire ceramics in addition to a beautiful exhibition of decorative arts, natural history items, and a World War II Spitfire. The museum also boasts an interactive Secret Garden and a unique collection of famous works by Picasso and Degas. The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is one of Britain’s top museums and is not to be missed during your next Stoke-on-Trent vacation.
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
Address: Bethesda St, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW, UK
Website: Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
6. Hang out with macaques at the Trentham Monkey Forest
One of Trentham Estates’s most unique attractions is the Trentham Monkey Forest, a beautiful woodlands space with 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques. The Monkey Forest has a well-kept path for visitors to stroll alongside the monkeys, making a trip to the forest an activity for all ages and abilities. While at the Monkey Forest, check out the visitor center and cafe to learn all about the forest’s primate inhabitants. This attraction is a perfect family fun activity for all visitors to the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Trentham Monkey Forest
Address: Stone Road, Trentham, Tittensor, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8AY, UK
Website: Trentham Monkey Forest
7. Stroll through the Stoke-on-Trent City Center and Central Forest Park
Shoppers can rejoice at the Stoke-on-Trent City Center, a beautiful historic downtown shopping center complete with high street storefronts and the three-story Potteries Shopping Center. While at the City Center, be sure to check out the Cultural Quarter’s wide array of restaurants and shops in a calming, relaxed atmosphere. The more nature-minded can head to the Central Forest Park, where there is plenty of space to enjoy a quiet moment in the city amongst majestic woodlands and a scenic lake. Whether you choose to enjoy the City Center or the Central Forest Park, Stoke-on-Trent’s downtown is a place of fun for everyone!
Stoke-on-Trent City Center
Website: Stoke-on-Trent City Center
Central Forest Park
Website: Central Forest Park
8. Take a scenic train ride through the Churnet Valley
The Churnet Valley Railway is a well-preserved railway line running through the beautiful “Little Switzerland” area of Staffordshire. Originally part of the North Staffordshire Railway, the current Churnet Valley line runs from Cheddleton to Kingsley and Froghall along some of the most scenic terrain in the area. While on the train, don’t miss the amazing food served in the dining cars, which provide scrumptious lunches, afternoon teas, and evening dinners. A ride along the Churnet Valley Railway is an exciting and relaxing activity for everyone that shouldn’t be missed!
Churnet Valley Railway
Address: Consall Station, Consall, Leek ST13 7EE, UK
Website: Churnet Valley Railway
9. Enjoy a show at the Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is one of the United Kingdom’s foremost entertainment venues and a perfect spot for an evening activity during your Stoke-on-Trent visit. Originally opened as a cinema in the late 1920s, the Regent Theatre also hosts stage performances and concerts. The theatre itself is designed in a tasteful art deco style and boasts an impressive list of past performances from Stevie Wonder to The Beatles. Whether you’re looking to attend a concert, the national ballet, a play, or the grand opera, a night at the Regent Theatre is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Stoke-on-Trent.
The Regent Theatre
Address: Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1AP, UK
Website: The Regent Theatre
Stoke-on-Trent: a city of hidden adventure
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon activity or an exciting walk through the moorlands, there is something in Stoke-on-Trent for you. Check out the city’s storied industrial history and stunning surrounding landscape during these nine great activities in the English countryside!
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