Things to do in Stoke on Trent

Creative Tourist

There are plenty of things to do in Stoke on Trent. Easy to get to from Manchester or London on the train, we pick out some of our favorite places to visit in Staffordshire’s largest city.

The city of six towns, Stoke-on-Trent (affectionately nicknamed The Potteries), is 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
Courtesy of Emma Bridgwater Factory

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
Image courtesy of Trentham Gardens

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
Image courtesy of World of Wedgwood

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
Image courtesy of Stoke Museums

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
Image courtesy of 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
By Stepped [CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

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

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
By Rept0n1x [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

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 Institute, Burslem

Where to go in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent
Gallery
AirSpace Gallery

AirSpace Gallery is a collaborative, artist led project in Stoke-on-Trent, providing studio and exhibiting space as well as professional support and development opportunities for artists.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.