Visitor guide Family fun History and Heritage shopping days gardens and houses great events. visitstoke.co.uk

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1 Visitor guide 2014 Family fun History and Heritage shopping days gardens and houses great events visitstoke.co.uk

2 Welcome There s always something going on here Scan for more info visitstoke.co.uk Manchester Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham London Stoke-on-Trent is a unique City affectionately known as The Potteries. With its rich industrial heritage it has respectfully claimed the title of World Capital of Ceramics. The City boasts many visitor centres, award winning museums, authentic factory tours, over 20 pottery factory shops and the exclusive Staffordshire Hoard. Come and visit the Trentham Estate with its Italian Gardens, Shopping Village, Monkey Forest, Aerial Extreme and mile long lake. We are also the closest city to Alton Towers Theme Park. A day will not be enough! 04 Make It Amazing Activity Map 12 Make It Colourful Gardens and Houses 06 Make It Precious History and Heritage 14 Make It Brilliant Events 08 Make It Yours Shopping MAKE IT FUN Family fun attractions Make It Nearby Out and about 18 the Trails Way to discover hours in Stoke-on-Trent Itinerary Cover Images: Trentham Estate, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent Parks, Portmeirion. Published by Stoke-on-Trent Tourism. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this brochure is correct, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cannot accept responsibilities for any inaccuracies. 3

3 Activity Map Exciting Events Schedule Alton Towers Resort Leek Market Town Go Ape Staffordshire Peak District Moorcroft Royal Crown Derby Make it AMazing The Trentham Estate Ford Green Hall Dimensions Leisure Centre Kilnworx Climbing Centre Wedgwood Visitor Centre and Museum Stoke Minster Drayton Manor Theme Park Biddulph Grange Garden There is so much to do and see in and around Stoke-on-Trent. From pottery to the Peak District; gardens to Gladstone; festivals to factory shopping; Wedgwood to Waterworld; the Staffordshire Hoard to the Shugborough Estate. There is something for everyone and one day will not be enough. Pottery Factory Shopping Emma Bridgewater Shop till you drop Two Saints Way Dudson Museum Stoke-on-Trent Parks intu Potteries Newcastle-under- Lyme Market Town Denby Visitor Centre Portmeirion Discover History and Heritage Gladstone Pottery Museum Barefoot Walk Skate Plaza Rode Hall and Gardens Staffordshire Hoard Fenton Manor Leisure Centre Burleigh Shugborough Estate Waterworld Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall Trentham Monkey Forest 4 visitstoke.co.uk 5

4 History and Heritage Go on a factory tour at Moorcroft, Middleport Pottery, Wedgwood and Emma Bridgewater and learn about the skills and craftsmanship that go into producing the world-famous pottery. Have a go at creating your own masterpiece with the many hands-on opportunities available from painting your own pottery at Emma Bridgewater and Royal Stafford, to decorating a china flower at Gladstone Pottery Museum. Wedgwood Visitor Centre and Museum Make your visit to Stoke-on-Trent a treasurable one with exquisite ceramic collections, invaluable Anglo-Saxon treasure, and a whole load of priceless memories to take home with you. Have Gladstone Pottery Museum a go at creating your own ceramic masterpiece Scan for more info History and Heritage *Due to on-going research, the Staffordshire Hoard will not be on display from 3rd Feb to 14th Mar Please check before you travel. With an unrivalled heritage and very bright future, Stoke-on-Trent is officially recognised as the World Capital of Ceramics. Visit the City s award winning museums and visitor centres and discover the history and heritage of The Potteries, on the Ceramics Trail. A brand new exciting development at Middleport Pottery is due to open summer Home to Burleigh Pottery, The Prince s Regeneration Trust is undertaking an 8.7 million regeneration of the atmospheric Middleport Pottery which will create a new visitor centre to explore and café to enjoy, in addition to the existing factory tours and charming factory shop. As well as housing a nationally recognised collection of Staffordshire Ceramics, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is the proud home to the Staffordshire Hoard. Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia, a new exhibition for 2014, sets the Staffordshire Hoard in the context of everyday Anglo-Saxon life and death. Alongside 200 pieces of the Hoard* the exhibition includes objects the Anglo-Saxons used in their daily work, and items they buried with their dead to provide for them in the afterlife. Visitors will be able to experience the atmosphere of a mead-hall including a fire pit, and watch a new animated film, The Last Dragon Hunter, all watched over by the imposing 9ft sculpture of a Saxon Warrior. Emma Bridgewater Enjoy the complete ceramics experience and discover the history and heritage of the Potteries with The Ceramics Trail. ceramicstrail.co.uk Visit online before you go Denby Visitor Centre denbyvisitorcentre.co.uk Dudson Museum dudson.com Gladstone Pottery Museum stoke.gov.uk/museum Discover a complete Victorian Pottery at Gladstone Pottery Museum and see what life was like for the pottery workers from the days when coal burning ovens made the world s finest bone china. See traditional skills, original workshops, the cobbled yard and huge bottle kilns that create an atmospheric timewarp that has no equal. The Wedgwood Museum at Barlaston uses its internationally renowned collection to take visitors on a 250 year interactive tour of British social, design and industrial history. The Museum complements the existing facilities of the Wedgwood Visitor Centre, which includes a fully guided factory tour; exhibitions; craft demonstration area where you can throw your own masterpiece; retail areas; large factory shop and restaurant. The Ceramics Trail Middleport Pottery middleportpottery.co.uk Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre moorcroft.com Potteries Museum & Art Gallery stoke.gov.uk/museum Royal Crown Derby royalcrownderby.co.uk Staffordshire Hoard visitstoke.co.uk/ staffordshirehoard Stoke Minster stokeminster.org Staffordshire Hoard Burleigh Pottery Mark XVI Spitfire at the Potteries Museum Spode Works Visitor Centre spodeworks.org Wedgwood Visitor Centre & Museum wedgwoodvisitor centre.com 6 visitstoke.co.uk 7

5 Shopping Portmeirion As well as being the world s best ceramics shopping destination, Stoke-on-Trent has other great shopping opportunities too. The Shopping Village at Trentham has 60 timber lodges housing amazing independent retailers, cafes and restaurants all set in a lovely village atmosphere, including Perfect Setting by Steelite International, which sells fine tableware, chosen by some of the world s best restaurants and hotel chains, and proudly produced in Stoke-on-Trent. Wedgwood Butterfly Bloom The Shopping Village at Trentham has over 60 Independent retailers, cafes and restaurants all set in a lovely village atmosphere. Come and buy from the World Capital of Ceramics where quality products are designed and manufactured. Wedgwood, Portmeirion, Aynsley, Emma Bridgewater and Moorcroft are just a few of the leading luxury brands you will find here. We have top designers working for our great pottery manufacturers such as Emma Bridgewater; Sophie Conran at Portmeirion; and Jasper Conran and Vera Wang at Wedgwood. These designs can be bought at great prices at over 20 pottery factory shops in the City. Shop for quality ceramic products designed and manufactured in the City. With over 25 factory shops at great prices. Scan for more info Shop till you drop Visit intu Potteries, the region s biggest shopping centre. Located in the City Centre, intu Potteries boasts big high street names, and is where all your retail needs will be met! If you re after designer labels at discount prices then Freeport Talke is the place for you! With over 40 great stores offering up to 60% off, you ll find a fantastic range of fashion and footwear, plus gifts, homeware and accessories all at amazingly low prices. Dudson Noir Tableware Pick up a Pocket Guide for factory shop listings. Please call or visit visitstoke.co.uk Step into blue and white pottery heaven at the distinctively atmospheric Burleigh Pottery factory shop. Housed within the newly refurbished Victorian factory of Middleport Pottery, Burleigh Pottery is produced using a 200 year old hand decorating process of underglaze transfer printing and using traditional English designs that have been manufactured since You will fulfil every ceramic requirement in our fantastic pottery factory shops. Whether it s formal dinner services, casual dining, giftware or homeware, Stoke-on-Trent has it all. For more unique pieces, pay a visit to Barewall Gallery in Burslem, which displays and sells original art, limited edition prints, art pottery and studio ceramics. intu Potteries, shopping centre Visit online before you go Aynsley aynsley.co.uk Barewall barewall.co.uk Burleigh & Leeds Pottery burleigh.co.uk Churchill churchillchina.biz Trentham Shopping Village Denby denby-factory-shops.co.uk Dudson dudson.com Dunoon dunoonmugs.co.uk Emma Bridgewater emmabridgewaterfactory.co.uk Freeport Talke freeport-talke.com intu Potteries intu.co.uk/potteries Moorcroft moorcroft.com Perfect Setting perfect-setting.co.uk Portmeirion portmeirion.co.uk Royal Stafford royalstafford.co.uk Trentham Shopping Village trentham.co.uk Wedgwood wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com 8 visitstoke.co.uk 9

6 Family fun attractions Trentham Monkey Forest Life is a rollercoaster for supporters of Stoke-on-Trent s two professional football teams Premier League s Stoke City and League 1 s Port Vale. Come and experience the thrill and excitement of a match day at first hand at the Britannia Stadium or Vale Park and see some of the biggest names in the world of football. Let the good times roll share adventures, laughs, giggles and good times in a City full of fun. If you re after a more tranquil form of enjoyment, discover Stoke-on-Trent s green side. Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in the UK with over 1,380 hectares of park and open spaces and Central Forest Park is home to Europe s largest street style skate park Stoke Skate Plaza. Wherever you are in Stoke-on-Trent, you are never far from one of our many parks and wildlife areas. Explore the City by navigating some of the its greenways, canal towpaths and river routes either on boat, on foot, or by bicycle the city has over 160km of cycle routes, many of which are quiet off road paths. Kilnworx Climbing Centre Smiler at Alton Towers Stoke Skate Plazza The Trentham Estate has it all adventures are ready and waiting to be discovered by the whole family. Get naked from the knees down on the 1km long Barefoot walk where your feet will be treated to a sensual delight as they are planted through gooey mud, crispy leaves, smooth stones, broken bark and through a cold rippling stream! Get lost in the hide and speak maze, and keep your eyes peeled for the cheeky fairies that are hiding away high and low. Step into the Trentham Monkey Forest and meet the playful Barbary macaques who share their daily mischievous adventures with you right in the middle of their world. Once you ve learnt from the monkeys, you can have a go yourself by swinging through the trees at Trentham s Aerial Extreme or Go Ape at the nearby beautiful Cannock Chase. Take to the indoor climbing walls at Kilnworx Climbing Centre. Located in a converted church, the centre has routes to suit novices and seasoned climbers. A short half hour drive from Stoke-on-Trent through the beautiful rolling Staffordshire Moorlands is the land of thrills and spills The Alton Towers Resort Theme Park. Alton Towers has an amazing selection of thrill rides and family attractions and is opening the world s first ever CBeebies Land in May 2014, bringing some of the most-loved children s characters to Britain s number one theme park. Go Ape at Cannock Chase Find the Fairies at Trentham Gardens Scan for more info Family fun days Try the 1km long Barefoot walk. Get lost in the hide and speak maze and keep your eyes peeled for the cheeky fairies at The Trentham Estate. Visit online before you go Alton Towers Resort altontowers.com Churnet Valley Railway churnet-valley-railway.co.uk Dimensions Leisure Centre stoke.gov.uk/dimensions Foxfield Steam Railway foxfieldrailway.co.uk The Barefoot Walk Stoke City Football fixtures visitstoke.co.uk/football Go Ape goape.co.uk/days-out/ cannock Kilnworx kilnworx.org Skate Plaza, Central Forest Park, City Centre stoke.gov.uk Thrill Hopper Enjoy huge savings on normal admission prices to four of the UK s top attractions: Alton Towers, Waterworld, Tamworth Snowdome and Drayton Manor Park. Tickets available at Stokeon-Trent Tourist Information Centre for all the theme parks. Trentham Monkey Forest monkey-forest.com Trentham Estate trentham.co.uk Waterworld waterworld.co.uk Walking and cycling routes visitstoke.co.uk/active 10 visitstoke.co.uk 11

7 Gardens and Houses Dorothy Clive Gardens Rode Hall Biddulph Grange Gardens Pick up a Pocket Guide for Garden and Houses listings. Please call or visit visitstoke.co.uk Bright, vibrant, dazzling, unique these are some of the words that are used to describe the glorious garden attractions on offer in Stoke-on-Trent. But the best word to use is simply outstanding. The Italian Gardens at the Trentham Estate are stunning throughout the year with Rivers of Grass, a Floral Labyrinth and David Austin Rose trellis. In spring the Upper Parterres shine with 60,000 daffodils and dazzling displays of bluebells in the wood. During the summer the gardens continue to excel with a vibrant sea of colour on display, followed by a rich shimmering show of hot glowing autumn colours before the sparkling frosty jewels of winter planting prevail. The Italian Gardens at the Trentham Estate are stunning throughout the year. Discover the world at Biddulph Grange Garden. The Victorian garden shows off trees and plants brought from far flung destinations around the globe by the daring plant hunters of the time. This unique garden, which consists of smaller hidden interlinking gardens including an Italian terrace, Chinese garden, Egyptian pyramid, dahlia walk, and a Scottish glen, was created by Darwin s contemporary and correspondent James Bateman as an extension of his beliefs and scientific interests. Energetic displays of rhododendrons and azalea s burst into life in late spring. Scan for more info Glorious Gardens and Houses Step back in time At Ford Green Hall, a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse complete with period garden. Visit period houses including Rode Hall, an 18th century house set in a Repton landscape with fine furniture and porcelain and regular farmers markets. The garden opens in February for snowdrop walks when the estate is transformed by magical swathes of cascading white flowers. This little gem really is one of the areas little known treasures. Journey through the historic grounds of the Shugborough Estate and experience the nation s best upstairs downstairs experience. Set in 900 acres of stunning parkland and riverside gardens with elegant mansion house, working Victorian servants quarters, Georgian farm, dairy and mill, and a restored walled garden, which are brought to life by costumed living history characters who share their lives and powerful stories from the past with visitors. Ford Green Hall is a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse complete with period garden. The hall offers visitors a fascinating insight into the life of the 17th century. The rooms are furnished with an outstanding collection of textiles, ceramics and furniture. With so many outstanding garden attractions on offer in the City, it was apt that the City of Stoke-on-Trent showed its first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2013 and won a prestigious silver medal. The inspiration for this garden was the story of Stoke-on-Trent s journey from its rich industrial past to its present incarnation as a vibrant, modern city. Look out for the City s return visit this May when it will be going for Gold at the 2014 show. Trentham Gardens Visit online before you go Biddulph Grange Garden nationaltrust.org.uk/ biddulphgrange Dorothy Clive Garden dorothyclivegarden.co.uk Ford Green Hall stoke.gov.uk/museum Rode Hall rodehall.co.uk Shugborough Estate shugborough.org.uk Trentham Estate and Italian Gardens trentham.co.uk 12 visitstoke.co.uk 13

8 Brilliant events Bradley Wiggins Tour of Britain Events Highlights of this commemoration for 2014 include an exhibition taking place at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery from 25 October 2014 which focuses on the major contribution that Stoke-on-Trent made to the war effort through its infirmary and the pioneering techniques and experimentation carried out there. Stoke Your Fires Film Festival is a must, as it returns to the City again from 7 11 March 2014 Stoke-on-Trent has an exciting programme of events throughout the year and 2014 will see a number of events and exhibitions taking place that will attract visitors from right across the globe. Stoke-on-Trent is a proud sporting City. As well as being home to two professional football clubs, Stoke City and Port Vale, the city has become a well-established venue on the professional cycling calendar. The Tour of Britain first visited The Potteries in 2008, and the City has been welcoming elite cyclists such Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins every year since. As well as having hosted rounds of The Tour Series - an annual series of cycling criterium races, since its inception in 2009, Stoke-on-Trent has been hosting Tour Rides where thousands of riders have taken on the challenge of experiencing what it is like for the professionals riding the Stoke-on-Trent Stage of The Tour of Britain. Fenton Manor Sports Complex has established itself as the principal sport, leisure and events venue between Manchester and Birmingham and regularly hosts national competition events including Boxing, Gymnastics, and Table Tennis sees the start of a four-year commemoration of the World War I centenary and events will be taking place in the City throughout this period. Fenton Manor Northern Soul All-Nighters Glyndebourne Opera See a West End Show, Glyndebourne Opera or TV comedian and more, in the City s Cultural Quarter The Regent Theatre Hot Summer Saturdays at the Trentham Estate The most up to date events list can be found on visitstoke.co.uk. Just click on What s On Event Schedule Visit online before you go Fenton Manor Sports Complex Events stoke.gov.uk/ fentonmanor Stoke Your Fires Film Festival stokeyourfires.co.uk Lights, camera, action! If films are your passion then the Stoke Film Festival is a must. The Festival returns to the City again from 7 11 March 2014 with a packed programme of events including film screenings, activities and workshops, featuring the return of Hush Hush Cinema, Stoke-on-Trent s purveyors of spectacular live film entertainment! For a great night out visit the Cultural Quarter in the City Centre which comes alive in the evening, especially when there is a West End Show, Glyndebourne Opera or TV comedian on at the Regent Theatre or Victoria Hall. For an alternative night out visit the Kings Hall in Stoke, home to Northern Soul All-Nighters. The Trentham Estate have a great events programme throughout the year to suit everyone from nature lovers, to the green fingered, active kids to music lovers all set in a truly stunning setting will be extra-special at the Trentham Estate as it celebrates its 10th Birthday look out for special events taking place during the year. Stoke-on-Trent Tourist Information Centre sell event and Alton Towers tickets see the website for details or telephone Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall atgtickets.com/stoke Stoke City & Port Vale visitstoke.co.uk/football Tour of Britain and Tour Series tourofbritain.com Trentham Estate Events trentham.co.uk The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery stoke.gov.uk/museum 14 visitstoke.co.uk 15

9 Out and About The Roaches, Staffordshire Peak District What s great about the City is you are not far from anywhere with our great road and rail network. While you explore Stoke-on-Trent why not visit the surrounding areas and attractions... National Memorial Arboretum Stone Food & Drink Festival Free App download for iphone and Android. Your instant fact-packed visitor guide to Staffordshire. To download simply scan the QR code. Stoke-on-Trent offers a great base for visiting a wide range of attractions that surround the City. A 20 minute drive will take you into the stunning beauty of the Staffordshire Peak District National Park. With breathtaking landscapes as a backdrop, walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits can all be enjoyed. Whether you want a gentle stroll, a ramble, or climb the highest peaks, maybe a family cycle along the Manifold Valley or Tissington Trail, a visit to Tittesworth reservoir or a steam train ride back in time along the Churnet valley. Enjoy a day out at the races at Uttoxeter racecourse don t forget to get your discount tickets by purchasing them direct from the Tourist Information Centre! There are some bustling market towns like Newcastle-under-Lyme with traditional markets, regular local farmers markets, annual food and drink festivals and the market town of Leek has antique shops and an annual walking festival. Nearby there are yet more ceramic attractions including the visitor centres of Denby and Royal Crown Derby with even more shopping on offer. Mow Cop Castle Churnet Valley Railway Royal Crown Derby Further south in the County there is plenty to see and do. Visit Lord Lichfield s former home at Shugborough with a look into his life in the apartments. Visit the National Memorial Arboretum, the cathedral city of Lichfield, Weston Park, Cannock Chase, and to the east, the National Brewery Centre telling the history of brewing including some tasting and the National Forest with its award winning visitor centre, Conkers. Discover Anglo-Saxon Staffordshire and the Kingdom of Mercia with the Mercian Trail and the Two Saints Way. The Mercian Trail brings together a collection of museums that tell the emerging story of the Staffordshire Hoard. The Two Saints Way is a newly created 90 mile long distance walking route that passes right through the heart of Stoke-on-Trent and travels between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield, where St Werburgh and St Chad, two Saxon saints who brought Christianity to the ancient Kingdom of Merica in the 7th Century, are laid to rest. Scan for more info Nearby Attractions Visit online before you go Churnet Valley Railway churnet-valley-railway.co.uk Conkers visitconkers.com Denby Visitor Centre denbyvisitorcentre.co.uk Drayton Manor draytonmanor.co.uk Mountain biking at Cannock Chase Enjoy Staffordshire enjoystaffordshire.com Mercian Trail staffordshirehoard.org.uk National Forest nationalforest.org Royal Crown Derby royalcrownderby.co.uk Shugborough shugborough.org.uk Two Saints Way twosaintsway.org.uk 16 visitstoke.co.uk 17

10 Burleigh backstamp The Trails The Ceramics Trail Discover Learn Try Buy Enjoy the complete ceramics experience and discover history and heritage of the Potteries at our award-winning museums and visitor centres, and go on a factory tour and learn about the skills and craftsmanship that go into producing our famous pottery. Have a go at creating your own masterpiece with the many hands-on opportunities available. Shop till you drop with the many factory shops. Discover more at ceramicstrail.co.uk Pick up a guide today from the Tourist Information Centre The Two Saints Way A newly created 90 mile long distance walking route that passes right through the heart of Stoke-on-Trent and travels between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield, where St Werburgh and St Chad, two Saxon saints who brought Christianity to the ancient Kingdom of Merica in the 7th Century, are laid to rest. Discover more at twosaintsway.org.uk The Two Saints Way the Trails Stoke Minster Wedgwood Visitor Centre & Museum Mercian Trail The Mercian Trail brings together The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield District Council, Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council. It tells the emerging story of the Staffordshire Hoard and the Anglo-Saxon history of the region, through a series of informative permanent and temporary displays and a programme of outreach activities aimed at residents and visitors alike. Tunstall Shard Sculpture Trail Launching Spring 2014 Whether you are on foot, on a bike or in the car, the Stoke-on-Trent Sculpture Trail provides a fascinating backdrop to the local landscape. Explore 34 fascinating sculptures throughout the City and learn about their background and links to the local area. You don t have to do all 34 sculptures of the trail in one go, the trail has been split into bite size clusters allowing you to take a short walk or spend all day exploring the area. Staffordshire Hoard at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Discover more at staffordshirehoard.org.uk Pick up a guide today from the Tourist Information Centre Discover more at stokesculpturetrail.co.uk The Spirit of Fire Staffordshire Hoard 18 visitstoke.co.uk 19

11 72 hours 72 hours in Stoke-on-Trent With so much to see and do, enjoying a short-break is the only way to fit everything in! DAY 1 Morning Barewall Gallery Gallery selling original art, limited edition prints and collectable ceramics. Barewall also sell a unique range of quality artist designer gifts all made in Staffordshire. A perfect one stop shop to find special Stoke-on-Trent one-offs, trials and quality gifts as well as changing exhibitions throughout the year. Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre Described as the world s best kept secret, a visit will reveal Moorcroft s unique handcrafted, quality, collectable art pottery. Factory tours, shopping, museum and bottle oven come together creating an unforgettable experience. Lunch & Afternoon Middleport Pottery (home of Burleigh) Opening summer 2014, Middleport Pottery, the home of Burleigh, is undergoing an 8.7 million transformation to create a new visitor centre and café to explore and enjoy in addition to the existing factory tours and charming Burleigh Factory Shop. Afternoon Biddulph Grange Garden An amazing National Trust Victorian garden with year-round interest created by Darwin s contemporary James Bateman as an extension of his beliefs, interests and collections of plants. Discover the Chinese garden, Egypt court and geological gallery. Evening Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall At the heart of the Cultural Quarter in the City Centre, The Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall play host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and theatre. DAY 2 Morning Wedgwood Visitor Centre & Museum Guided factory tours offer a unique insight into the world of Wedgwood ceramics. Watch the skilled workers as they create iconic jasper pieces and fine bone china tableware. The Master Ceramic Experience provides a great opportunity for visitors to create your own masterpiece! Take a tour around the award winning Museum gallery. In the shop and factory outlet you will find the world s largest selection of tabletop, crystal and gift products. Lunch & Afternoon Trentham Estate Home to Trentham Gardens, Trentham Monkey Forest, Aerial Extreme and Trentham Shopping Village this is a destination with something to please everyone! Visit Trentham Gardens with its vast perennial plantings that change throughout the seasons. Encompassing 725 acres, take a stroll around the mile long lake, through the woodland and parklands. Take a trip on the catamaran or miniature train and search for fairies on the lakeside walk. Experience distinctively different shopping at the Trentham Shopping Village. Get up close and personal with 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques at Trentham Monkey Forest or take a high rope adventure at Aerial Extreme. DAY 3 Morning Emma Bridgewater Enjoy a morning at the atmospheric Victorian factory of Emma Bridgewater. Relax for coffee and cake in front of the spotty aga in the beautiful café, go on a factory tour, decorate your own unique piece of pottery and shop for factory seconds and lovely gifts. In the summer discover a lovely secret - a walled English country-style garden just waiting to be enjoyed. Lunch & Afternoon Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Discover the history of the Potteries and the new fascinating Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia exhibition which sets the Staffordshire Hoard in the context of everyday Anglo-Saxon life and death. As well as 200 pieces of the Hoard the exhibition includes objects the Anglo-Saxons used in their daily work, and items they buried with their dead to provide for them in the afterlife. Afternoon Gladstone Pottery Museum The only complete Victorian pottery factory from the days when coal burning ovens made the world s finest bone china. See traditional skills, original workshops, the cobbled yard and huge bottle kilns that create an atmospheric timewarp that has no equal. 20 visitstoke.co.uk 21

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