Summer in Stoke-on-Trent

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

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Summer in Stoke-on-Trent

1 August-30 September 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

big feast summer in stoke on trent
Appetite, The Big Feast Festival 2018
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The city of six towns, Stoke-on-Trent (affectionately nicknamed The Potteries), is bursting with an inspired programme of cultural activity this summer; spanning music festivals, ale trails and pop-up exhibitions through to one-off events, talks, workshops and film screenings taking place across all six towns. The city is also home to a wealth of world-class visitor attractions, award-winning museums, exceptional gardens, five Victorian parks and the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever to be found. All in all, it’s clear that the same unique creativity and bold entrepreneurial spirit upon which the area’s great fortunes were first founded in the 18th century continues to live on today and will leave you wanting to come back for more, again and again.

Our top picks

Emma Bridgwater Factory

Emma Bridgwater Factory, Lichfield Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3EJ - Visit now

The pottery lover’s mecca, over 1.3 million Emma Bridgwater pieces are produced at the designer’s Stoke-on-Trent based factory every year – each one touched by over 30 deftly-skilled hands. Take an award-winning tour, visit the heavily discounted shop and have a go at producing your own earthenware masterpiece.

Emma Bridgwater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent
Emma Bridgwater Factory, Stoke-on-Trent

Trentham Gardens

Trentham Gardens, Stone Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8JG - Visit now

Comprising of 725 acres of land set within a glorious stretch of North Staffordshire countryside on the southern fringe of Stoke-on-Trent, the award-winning visitor attraction Trentham Estate is the last remnant of one of England’s greatest garden estates.

trentham gardens stoke on trent
trentham gardens stoke on trent

World of Wedgwood

World of Wedgwood, Wedgwood Dr, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER - Visit now

Former Art Fund Prize Museum of the Year Award winner, World of Wedgwood in Stoke-of-Trent houses one of the most important industrial collections in existence and offers a unique record of over 250 years of ground-breaking British ceramic design and production.

world of wedgewood summer in stoke on trent
world of wedgewood summer in stoke on trent

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW - Visit now

Home to the most significant collection of Staffordshire ceramics in the world and the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found, a visit to Stoke-upon-Trent is not complete without an afternoon whiled away in The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

Middleport Pottery

Middleport Pottery, Port St, Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3PE - Visit now

Built in 1888, the beautifully-conserved grade II* listed Middleport Pottery has been producing its world-famous Burleigh pieces for over 120 years. Today it is the only working Victorian pottery left in Stoke-on-Trent and a multi award-winning visitor attraction.

Middleport Pottery
Middleport Pottery

Bethesda Chapel

Bethesda Chapel, Albion St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1QF - Visit now

Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Hanley is considered to be one of England’s grandest surviving town chapels – and it’s easy to see why.

Bethesda Chapel, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
Bethesda Chapel, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Gladstone Pottery Museum

Gladstone Pottery Museum, Uttoxeter Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ - Visit now

The last complete Victorian pottery factory in Britain, Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton provides a unique insight into the history of Stoke-on-Trent; an area renowned for its world-class pottery and ceramics.

Gladstone Pottery Museum Summer in Stoke on Trent
Gladstone Pottery Museum Summer in Stoke on Trent

Stoke Minster

Stoke Minster, Glebe St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1LP - Visit now

Just a short walk from Stoke-on-Trent train station is Stoke Minster, believed to have once been an important Celtic religious site and where Christian worship has taken place since Saxon times.

Stoke Minster, Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke Minster, Stoke-on-Trent

Burslem Town Square

Burslem Town Square, Market Place, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4AT - Visit now

‘Mother town’ of The Potteries, Burslem dates back to at least 1085 when it appears listed in the Domesday Book. Today, the wealth and fortune generated by the boom in global demand for Staffordshire pottery can still be seen reflected in the town’s many fine red brick buildings and grand displays of civic pride.

The Wedgwood Institite, Burslem summer in stoke on trent
The Wedgwood Institite, Burslem summer in stoke on trent

Where to go near Summer in Stoke-on-Trent

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
Event venue
The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

What's on: Exhibitions

Summer at Aviva Studios
Until
ActivityManchester
Summer at Aviva Studios

From global dance and live music to storytelling, skateboarding and football, get ready for a dream summer on the banks of the River Irwell.

Free entry

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