Destination guides > Europe > England > Heart of England > Staffordshire > Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Made up of six separate towns – Burslem, Fenton, Hanley (the city centre), Longton, Stoke and Tunstall – Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city that is renowned as the world's leading centre for ceramics. Stoke-on-Trent is to crockery what Sheffield is to cutlery and Britain's leading potteries are all based here including Royal Doulton and Wedgewood. It is a popular spot with middle aged British tourists who come to tour the potteries and buy dinner settings from the factory outlets, however this isn't so practical for backpackers as that Wedgewood teapot you're thinking about buying for your mum will probably get smashed at the bottom of your backpack.
Practical information
Stoke-on-Trent Tourist Information Centre
Quadrant Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
Tel (01782) 236 000
Website www.visitstoke.co.uk
Open Mon-Sat 9.15am-5.15pm
Coming & going
Stoke-on-Trent lies about midway between Birmingham and Manchester, which are both around one hour away by train. The main train station is in the town of Stoke with local buses running between the train station and Hanley (the city centre).
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) coaches stop in Hanley (the city centre).
Local transport
First operate Stoke-on-Trent's local bus service. Many travellers rely on the buses because Stoke is more spread-out than the average British city and very few attractions are within walking distance of each other. The FirstDay ticket costs £4.55 (£4.20 offpeak) and gives you unlimited travel on First buses in the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Ceramica
This new museum deals with all aspects of ceramics and it features hands-on exhibits and ancient artefacts.
Market Place, Burslem
Bus 20, 20A, 21
Tel (01782) 832 001
Website www.ceramicauk.com
Admission £4.10
Open Mon & Wed-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm
Etruria Industrial Museum
This museum houses Britain's only surviving steam-powered potter's mill and also has an interactive exhibition.
Lower Bedford Street, Etruria
Bus 58, 101
Tel (01782) 233 144
Website www.stokemuseums.org.uk
Admission £2.50
Open Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun noon-4.30pm
Gladstone Pottery Museum
This museum is housed inside a Victorian pottery factory. Its displays include a new gallery that tells the story of the humble toilet.
Uttoxeter Road, Longton
Bus 6, 6A
Tel (01782) 319 232
Website www.stokemuseums.org.uk
Admission £5.95
Open 10am-5pm daily
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum hosts art exhibitions and also features the world's best collection of Staffordshire ceramics.
Bethesda Street, Hanley
Bus 23, 23A, 24, 24A, 25
Tel (01782) 232 323
Website www.stokemuseums.org.uk
Admission free
Open Jan-Feb Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm; Mar-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm
Wedgewood Visitor Centre & Wedgewood Museum
This award-winning visitor centre has exibits about the production of Wedgewood pottery and the adjoining museum has displays about the history of the company plus a large collection of artefacts and ceramic art.
Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent
Bus 350, X1
Tel (01782) 282 986
Website www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com
Admission £6.25
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
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