Stoke-on-Trent Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Stoke-on-Trent

    Stoke-on-Trent's history is strongly linked to the pottery industry. An important date in the city's history is 1759, when Josiah Wedgwood and Sons was founded. A man called Henry Doulton bought a pottery factory in 1882 and this was given a Royal Warrant in 1901 - creating Royal Doulton. Stoke-on-Trent was given city status in 1925.

  • 2. Now in Stoke-on-Trent

    A lot of the large pottery companies have closed down or moved from the area and the service industry is now the largest employer. However, pottery companies still exist in the city, which has always been nicknamed The Potteries. The Alton Towers theme park is one reason why many tourists flock to the city. Stoke has one university, Staffordshire University, and two football te...Read moreams, Stoke City and Port Vale. Read less

  • 3. Events in Stoke-on-Trent

    Armed Forces Day takes place every year in Stoke-on-Trent and is linked to a national day paying tribute to members of the armed forces. The Halfords Tour Series and Tour of Britain cycling events take place each year and many events are organised in the city centre during this time. The Etruria Canals Festival takes place for two days every year and includes events for all the...Read more family. The British Ceramics Biennial is a new event that takes place every two years to celebrate the city's pottery heritage. The Stone Music and Arts Festival takes place in the town of Stone, just on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. The Tunstall Carnival is held every year and includes entertainment for all the family. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Stoke-on-Trent

    The Alton Tower theme park is close to the city and provides a great day out for all ages with rides to suit everyone. The Wedgwood Visitor Centre and Wedgwood Museum give visitors a chance to find out more about the pottery industry in the city. There is a craft skills demonstration area and a factory outlet. Other pottery factories, including Moorcroft and Emma Bridgewater, a...Read morelso offer tours. The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery has many exhibits including a Spitfire, as well as children's trails and activities. Gladstone Pottery Museum is a Victorian pottery factory with original workshops and a cobbled courtyard. The Trentham Monkey Forest has 140 Barbary macaques roaming free in 60 acres of forest. Visitors can get close to the animals and listen to the guides as they walk around. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Stoke-on-Trent

    The Potters Barn is a working pottery where visitors get the chance to have a go on the potter's wheel, make clay figures and paint pottery. Pottery painting is also available at the Paint A Pot Studio in Cromartie House. Hanley Park is close to the city centre and is a Victorian park with many facilities for the family. Rode Hall and Gardens is an 18th century property that is...Read more renowned for its snowdrops in February and its rhododendrons and azaleas in May. Ford Green Hall is a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse with a period garden. It has family-friendly displays. Read less

  • 6. Business in Stoke-on-Trent

    There are plenty of pottery factory shops to choose from in Stoke-on-Trent, including Trentham's Portmerion, the Poole Pottery and Royal Stafford factory outlet and the Denby factory outlet. The Potteries Shopping Centre is the main indoor shopping facility and includes many high street names and cafes under one roof. The Freeport Outlet Shopping Mall offers big names with big ...Read morediscounts. Outdoor markets can be found on Market Square and Fountain Square and Stoke Indoor Market is in South Wolfe Street. In an aim to support new business in Stoke, the city council has five business centres offering office space, production areas, meeting rooms, technology and reception and seating areas to display goods. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Stoke-on-Trent

    Stoke-on-Trent is close to the M6 motorway and the main A-roads serving the city are the A52, A50 and A53. The city's train station is in Station Road and has good links to the rest of the UK. The nearest airports to Stoke-on-Trent are Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Birmingham International Airport.

  • 8. Entertainment in Stoke-on-Trent

    The Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall offers West End shows, live music, comedy and big touring productions. The New Vic Theatre has a programme of plays, concerts and other events. The Queen's Theatre was built in 1911 and claims to be the oldest surviving theatre in the city. The venue offers theatre and music. The Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre is home to the Stoke Repertor...Read morey Players and also has productions by visiting companies. The Sugarmill is a small venue for live music. It promotes local bands but has also hosted concerts from bands that have gone on to be big names. Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Stoke-on-Trent

    The Britannia Stadium, home to Stoke City Football Club, was built in 1997 and looks imposing as it sits on top of a hill with no buildings around it.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Stoke-on-Trent

    One of Stoke's most famous sons is Robbie Williams. Other stars to have been born in the city include footballer Sir Stanley Matthews and Guns n Roses guitarist Saul Hudson, otherwise known as Slash.

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  • Twins to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity

    When identical twins Robyn and Becky Tunnicliff take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro they will be relying on sisterly support to get them through. The teenagers from Bucknall near Stoke-on-Trent will take on the highest freestanding mountain in the world to make money for the Childreach International charity. The 18-year-old students are now asking people to sponsor them. The twins, who are both studying bio-medical science at Chester University, have to raise £2,450 each to pay for the …

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  • Festive Sainsbury’s temp celebrates 30 years with company

    When a supermarket worker joined Sainsbury’s in a temporary role for Christmas she never dreamed she would celebrate 30 years with the company. The mother-of-two Jayne Iacono has seen many changes during her career as a shop worker with Sainsbury’s and has worked in several different roles.  She says the best part of working at Sainsbury’s is feeling as though she is part of a big family. Jayne, from Glenwood Close in Longton near Stoke-on-Trent, had been searching for temporary …

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  • Spode collection on display after £50k grant

    A pottery collection celebrating the heritage of one of the most famous firms in Stoke-on-Trent is to go on show after the project was given £50,000. The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will be used by The Spode Museum Trust to launch a display of the company’s 200-year history at the former factory site. A huge catalogue of ceramics and historic documents, which were removed and put in storage after the plant closed in 2008, will go on …

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  • Rare pram display at pottery museum

    A rare pram that features Wedgwood plaques is to go on show after a resident at an auction found it. The pram, which is white and lilac, will go on show at the Wedgwood Museum located in Barlaston, near Stoke-on-Trent, in March. It has been loaned by its owner Julie Austin from Longton. Mrs Austin, 54, said: “I bought it from an auction site in April and since then it has been fully restored with a new chassis, paint work, …

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