Visit STOKE-ON-TRENT The Potteries 2011
Something for everyone Get active in the great outdoors, run wild in the woodlands, brave the barefoot walk, ramble, row, set sail or even steam along the lakeside, hide and speak in the maze, have fun at the adventure playground. Stroll around the award-winning Trentham Gardens, quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger in an array of eateries, experience a distinctively different shopping experience at the Trentham Shopping Village, and Trentham Garden Centre. Get up close and personal with 140 monkeys at the Trentham Monkey Forest, amaze yourself at Aerial Extreme high ropes adventure course, stay over at the on-site Premier Inn. Download a special offer voucher at Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire 5 minutes from J15 M6, Sat Nav Post Code ST4 8JG Call 01782 646646 Email enquiry@trentham.co.uk www.trentham.co.uk VSVG11 Expires 31.12.11
Contents Make it interesting Museums 4 Make it yours Shopping 6 Make it colourful Gardens & Houses 8 Make it fun Fun attractions 10 Make it brilliant Events 12 Make it breathtaking Out & about 14 Follow us at: facebook.com/visitstoke twitter.com/visitstoke Factory Shopping 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 responsibility for any inaccuracies.
4 Museums Wedgwood Visitor Centre and Museum www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com Potteries Museum & Art Gallery www.stoke.gov.uk/museum Gladstone Pottery Museum www.stoke.gov.uk/museum Etruria Industrial Museum www.stoke.gov.uk/museum Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre www.moorcroft.com Dudson Museum www.dudson.com Ceramica www.ceramicauk.com National Brewery Centre www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk Make it interesting For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
5 With an unrivalled heritage and very bright future, Stoke-on-Trent is officially recognised as the World Capital of Ceramics. The City boasts award winning museums, including the 2009 Art Fund Prize winner, the Wedgwood Museum with over 10,000 pieces of ceramics and a fantastic art collection. The Museum uses its internationally renowned collection to take visitors on a 250 year interactive tour of British social, design and industrial history. The Museum is on the same site and complements the existing facilities of the Wedgwood Visitor Centre including the new factory tour, exhibitions, craft demonstration area, new retail areas and restaurant. With brilliant hands-on opportunities available throughout the City from throwing a pot at Wedgwood, to painting a pot at Emma Bridgewater and Poole & Royal Stafford, to decorating a china flower at Gladstone Pottery Museum there is something to amuse every age group. The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery not only houses the largest collection of Staffordshire Ceramics but is also the proud home of the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest and most valuable Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found. An ever changing exhibition of 100 items from the Hoard is on show for free throughout the year. Complete the story of The Potteries with a visit to Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre and factory tour; Etruria Industrial Museum and Ceramica. Images Left: Emma Bridgewater Right from top: Ceramica Gladstone Pottery Museum Wedgwood Museum Moorcroft Potteries Museum & Art Gallery National Brewery Centre
6 Factory Shops Wedgwood and Royal Doulton Outlet Store www.wedgwood.com Wedgwood at Barlaston www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com Make it yours Portmeirion www.portmeirion.com Moorcroft www.moorcroft.com Emma Bridgewater www.emmabridgewater.co.uk Aynsley www.aynsley.co.uk Royal Stafford and Poole Pottery www.royalstafford.co.uk Burleigh www.burleigh.co.uk Churchill www.churchill-direct.com Denby www.denby-factory-shops.co.uk Moorland Pottery www.moorlandpottery.co.uk Dudson www.dudson.com Leeds Pottery www.leeds-pottery.co.uk For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
7 Come and buy from the World Capital of Ceramics where these quality products are designed and manufactured. Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Portmeirion, Aynsley, Moorcroft are just a few of the leading brands you will find here. We have well known designers such as Emma Bridgewater, Sophie Conran at Portmeirion and Vera Wang at Wedgwood designing for the great pottery manufacturers that can be bought at great prices at over 20 pottery factory shops. Portmeirion now produce Spode s famous Blue Italian and Christmas Tree patterns. You will find everything you need from formal dinner services, to casual dining, giftware and homeware. Visit the brand new 8,000 square feet factory shop on the same site of the Wedgwood Museum and Visitor Centre at Barlaston, Denby pottery are based at Freeport, Talke whilst Aynsley have opened a new shop at the Trentham Shopping Village. The Shopping Village at Trentham is the perfect shopping experience with 60 timber lodges housing independent retailers, cafes and restaurants. Enjoy the atmosphere with entertainment at certain times throughout the year. Fresh, local, artisan food, speciality oils and teas. Crafters, campers, outdoor enthusiasts and golfers will all find something of interest to buy. The large Garden Centre offers an impressive range of items for the keen gardener and homemaker alike with gifts, hampers and soft furnishings. Visit the City Centre s Cultural Quarter for independent retailers and the Potteries Shopping Centre with lots of high street stores, indoor and outdoor markets, coffee shops and restaurants. Images Left: Shopping Right from top: Emma Bridgewater Burleigh Moorcroft Factory Shop Wedgwood and Royal Doulton Outlet Store Aynsley China Portmeirion
8 Gardens & Houses Trentham Estate and Italian Gardens www.trentham.co.uk Biddulph Grange Garden www.nationaltrust.org.uk/biddulphgrange Rode Hall www.rodehall.co.uk Ford Green Hall www.stoke.gov.uk/museum Dorothy Clive Garden www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk Shugborough Estate www.shugborough.org.uk Make it colourful www.enjoystaffordshire.com For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
9 Surprisingly Stoke-on-Trent has some fantastic garden attractions, including the newest and most exciting day out in the country the Trentham Estate. The gardens have matured into some of the finest in Britain and in 2010 the Italian gardens won one of the most prestigious European gardening awards. The Italian gardens are stunning throughout the year with Rivers of Grass, a Floral Labyrinth and David Austin Rose trellis. In Spring the Upper Parterres shine with over 60,000 daffodils and dazzling displays of bluebells in the woods. Through the summer the gardens continue to change with a sea of colour on display, hot autumn colours shimmer before the frosty jewels of winter plantings. For a miniature tour of the world go to the National Trust s beautiful Victorian Garden, Biddulph Grange. A visit takes you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a recreation of a Himalayan glen. The garden features collections of rhododendrons, summer bedding displays, a stunning dahlia walk in late summer and the oldest surviving golden larch in Britain, brought from China in the 1850s. Period houses include Ford Green Hall, a 17th century manor house with richly furnished rooms and a herb garden. Rode Hall, an 18th century house set in a Repton landscape contains fine furniture and porcelain. Images Left: The Trentham Estate Right from top: Shugborough Biddulph Grange Garden Dorothy Clive Garden Ford Green Hall Rode Hall The Trentham Estate
10 Fun attractions Trentham Monkey Forest www.monkey-forest.com Aerial Extreme, Trentham www.aerialextreme.co.uk Skate Plaza, Central Forest Park, City Centre www.stoke.gov.uk Alton Towers Resort www.altontowers.com Waterworld www.waterworld.co.uk Foxfield Steam Railway www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk Churnet Valley Railway www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk Make it fun For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
11 From monkeys to the largest skate plaza in the UK, over 1,380 hectares of parks and open spaces, a chance to swing through the trees on a rope adventure course at Aerial Extreme. There is something for all the family to enjoy. The Trentham Estate has it all. Enter the world of 140 Barbary macaques in the 60 acre Trentham Monkey Forest there are no fences or cages between you and the monkeys - only forest pathways. The kids can enjoy the adventure play and 2 mile long Barefoot walk where the whole family can walk in the gooey mud, through crispy leaves, over smooth stones and through a cold rippling stream. As well as 1,380 hectares of parks and open spaces we also have over 125km of cycle routes including many quiet off-road paths, greenways, canal towpaths and river routes. Stoke-on-Trent is the nearest city to Alton Towers, just a half hour drive away. Not only is it the UK s premier theme park but it also has the Cariba Creek waterpark and integrated watertainment park. Festival Park has lots of leisure and entertainment facilities including a multi screen cinema, Ski Centre and Waterworld. Enjoy a fantastic adventure with a Thrillhopper ticket, huge savings on normal admission prices to four of the UK s top attractions: Alton Towers, Waterworld, Tamworth Snowdome and Drayton Manor Park. Images Left: Trentham Monkey Forest Right from top: Waterworld Stoke-on-Trent Parks Aerial Extreme Trentham Estate Barefoot Walk Alton Towers Canals
12 Events Trentham Estate Hot Summer Saturday dates - take a picnic alongside the lake whilst watching theatre, films or music. Potteries Museum & Art Gallery A permanent exhibition of the most valuable collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found, The Staffordshire Hoard. Upside Down Weekends Visit the Northern Soul All-Nighters at the Kings Hall, Stoke. Food & Drink Festival, Stone The canal market town of Stone transforms itself into a gourmet s paradise with this more-ish festival in October. Farmers Markets Rode Hall have a farmers market on the first weekend of each month. There are also regular markets in Newcastleunder-Lyme, Stone and Leek. Alton Towers The summer sees major acts alongside the theme park rides, whilst autumn has Scarefest and spectacular firework displays. Make it brilliant For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
13 There is an exciting events programme throughout the year at the museums and attractions. Look out for the Hot Summer dates at the Trentham Estate with theatre, films and music held in the open air amphitheatre. Each of the museums all have activities and events which tell their own important part of the social and industrial history of our city, using a combination of education and entertainment. Stoke-on-Trent is a proud sporting City with annual events such as the Potters Arf Marathon, along with various national events taking place regularly at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex including boxing, gymnastics and table tennis. Stoke-on-Trent is also home to two professional football teams - Premiership Stoke City and Port Vale. 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 throughout the year. To find out more about what s on offer when, just click on and go to the What s On section for a full list of fun and activities. The Tourist Information Centre, details on page 18, sell events tickets. See the website or call on 01782 236000. Images Left: Tour of Britain Cycle Race Right from top: Trentham Estate Stone Food & Drink Festival Northern Soul All-Nighter Potters Arf Marathon The Staffordshire Hoard Event at Britannia Stadium
14 Out & about National Brewery Centre www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk Peak District www.visitpeakdistrict.com Uttoxeter Racecourse www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk Rudyard Lake and Tittesworth Reservoirs www.enjoystaffordshire.com Drayton Manor www.draytonmanor.co.uk National Memorial Arboretum www.nationalmemorialarboretum.org Weston Park www.weston-park.com Market towns www.enjoystaffordshire.com Make it breathtaking For your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers, call the Tourist Information Centre 01782 236000 or request a copy from our website
15 What s great about the City is you are not far from anywhere with our great road and rail network. A 20 minute drive will take you into the stunning beauty of the Staffordshire Peak District National Park. With breathtaking landscapes as a backdrop to walking, cycling and outdoor pursuits. 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. There are some bustling market towns like Newcastle 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. Further south in the County there is plenty to see and do. Visit Lord Lichfield s former home at Shugborough, the cathedral city of Lichfield, Weston Park and Cannock Chase. To the east discover the National Brewery Centre telling the history of brewing and the National Forest with its award winning visitor centre, Conkers. Have a bet on the races at the fantastic, friendly and informal racecourse of Uttoxeter. Get a discount on your tickets by purchasing them direct from the Tourist Information Centre. Images Left: The Roaches, Staffordshire Moorlands Right from top: Rudyard Lake National Memorial Arboretum Staffordshire Peak District Uttoxeter Racecourse Drayton Manor Theme Park Weston Park
16 FACTORY SHOPS GREAT BRANDS ALL UNDER ONE ROOF Stoke - London Road - 01782 411756 (ST4 7QQ) Trentham Shopping Village - 01782 657828 (ST4 8AX) Longton - King Street - 01782 326664 (ST3 1EU) exploring pottery from every angle A unique experience for the whole family combines hands-on exploration of the world of ceramics with stunning displays by local pottery manufacturers. Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3DS Tel 01782 832001 www.ceramicauk.com
MonkeyForest Take a walk the wild side... Totally unique in the UK - walk amongst 140 free roaming Barbary macaques in 60 acres of beautiful English forest. Get up close and personal with this amazing family day out. 17 www.monkey-forest.com Stone Road, Trentham, Staffordshire ST4 8AY Telephone: 01782 659845 Burleigh BURGESS DORLING & LEIGH Est 1851 Since 1851 Burleigh has been making a beautiful handmade English product in its grand Victorian factory and is now the last pottery in the world making these unique transfer-printed products. Browse our stunning and unique factory shop, filled with a wealth of colour and patterns from our rich archives, while enjoying our log fire and refreshments. Middleport Pottery, Port Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3PE Telephone 01782 577866 email info@burleigh.co.uk www.burleigh.co.uk from clay to cup...pure English
18 The Staffordshire Hoard at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Stoke-on-Trent Tourist Information Centre Make the award-winning Tourist Information Centre your first port of call when planning your visit. We can help you with what to see, where to go and how to get there! We can provide you with brochures and information for local, regional and national attractions. Not only will you find leaflets, maps, factsheets and guidebooks, but you can purchase event, theatre, attraction and rail tickets to make the most of your visit here. FREE The largest and most valuable ever find of Anglo-Saxon treasure Valued at 3.285m Permanent exhibition features 100 pieces from the Hoard Improved interpretation for 2011 Watch the highly acclaimed National Geographic video on the find Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW Tel: 01782 232323 www.stoke.gov.uk/museum Request your free copy of the Pocket Guide, including discount vouchers You will find us at: Victoria Hall, Cultural Quarter, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre ST1 3AD Tel: 01782 236000 stoke.tic@stoke.gov.uk We are open: Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 2pm Closed Bank Holidays /staffordshirehoard.aspx
19 Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent Conference Bureau Stoke-on-Trent is officially the World Capital of Ceramics and to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent Tourism ran a competition during 2010 asking people to send in a photograph of them drinking a cup of tea somewhere unusual. The perfect location The only stipulation was that it had to be Stoke-on-Trent pottery - Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Emma Bridgewater, Churchill, Aynsley, Portmeirion the choice is endless. Contact the Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent Conference Bureau where you can access the local knowledge and expertise necessary to help you with every aspect of your conference, corporate event, seminar or meeting. We had some fantastic entries and the winner won a Wedgwood teaset of their choice. Here is just a small selection of some of the entries received... Free Venue Finding Hotline 01782 232076 Email conference@stoke.gov.uk www.conferencestaffordshire.co.uk enjoy a world of possibilities Staffordshire Why not see it all? Endless fun at Alton Towers Resort and Drayton Manor Theme Park. The Staffordshire Peak District s fantastic scenery. Lichfield s magnificent 3 spired cathedral. The remarkable Staffordshire Hoard treasure. Skiing on real snow at the SnowDome. Stately Homes, Castles and Canals. For your FREE enjoy Staffordshire brochure call 0844 8707097 or visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com e Keep checking facebook.com/visitstok ar simil for oke sitst m/vi er.co twitt and competitions that we may be running.
VISITOR CENTRE Award Winning Museum Craft Skills Demonstration Area Hands on Activities Great Shopping Opportunities Including amazing offers at the new Factory Outlet Restaurant Wedgwood Museum Trust The Wedgwood Visitor Centre Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST12 9ER T: 01782 282986 E: bookings@wwrd.com www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com