Pottering around Stoke-on-Trent
Conveniently located at the centre of the United Kingdom, just off the M6, the city of Stoke-on-Trent is ideally placed for a great group day out or weekend away as Brenda Watkinson recently discovered.
Home to some of the world’s greatest pottery manufacturers, Stoke-on-Trent is affectionately known as The Potteries. Visitor centres, ceramic museums and factory shops all give a fascinating insight into the city’s heritage. However, in recent years, a number of new attractions have opened, giving the city a new diversity. Now, groups can combine a visit to a pottery with an garden such as Trentham along with one of the many other attractions in the city.
Stoke-on-Trent is in fact made up of six separate towns – Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton. In the past, each town specialised in a different aspect of the ceramics industry and still today, you will find the individual manufacturers spread across the whole city. But it is no longer difficult to travel from one to the other, thanks to the new A500, giving easy access to all six locations.
Ceramics and pottery
It seems hard to believe that less than a century ago, thousands of bottle ovens across the city were used to fire every possible type of pottery from teacups to toilet pans. With the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956, these ovens were gradually faded out to make way for cleaner electrically driven kilns. By the end of the 1950s, there were only about 2000 left and by the 1970s, just a few dozen. These last remaining coal-fired bottle ovens have been saved from demolition and today, form part of the colourful heritage of Stoke-on-Trent.
In fact, you can still actually step inside one such Victorian bottle oven at Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton, the only complete Victorian pottery factory remaining in Britain today. Here, you will discover just what it was like to have lived and worked in the Potteries in the 19th Century. A five-minute introductoryvideo sets the scene before you can join a costumed guide for an intriguing tour of this living history museum. On the tour, you will be introduced to the wide range of pottery skills required to produce pottery. Groups can see throwing, casting and decorating and also find out about jiggering, jolleying and ‘saggar maker’s bottom knockers’ – wooden casks that the pottery is place in before thet enter the kiln.
Groups will also be able to get involved in some of the processes too. For instance, there is an opportunity to make your own take-home pottery and a bone china flower as well as watch the artists at work as they demonstrate their fascinating design skills.
Allow time to explore the Tile Gallery, which charts the history of tiles and displays many attractive examples including Medieval, Islamic, Gothic Revival, Minton, the Craft Revival, Art Nouveau and more modern tiles of the 60s and 70s. Also of great interest and amusement is the ‘Flushed with Pride – the story of the toilet’ exhibition. As the name suggests, the exhibition covers the history of the toilet and displays many ornate examples including The First Flush, as used by Queen Elizabeth I. But it does also cover the social history of the area with a very interesting recreation of living conditions in the Potteries in the 19th century.
After the tour, refreshments can be arranged in the Gladstone Pottery Tea Room, which serves many local delicacies including Staffordshire oatcakes and lobby – atype of beef stew. GTOs should note that the tea room welcomes groups, even if you do not wish to tour the Museum. There are a number of good retail shops nearby, so even if your group members want to spend the whole day shopping, you can call into the tea room for refreshments, by prior arrangement. There is also ample free coach parking at the rear of the pottery.
Discounts apply to pre-booked groups of 15 or more with a small separate charge made for guided tours, which can also be arranged in the evenings. The museum also offers free admission to pre-booked groups of 35 or more from December to February on certain dates. For smaller groups, a range of pottery workshops can also be arranged including clay handling, bone china flower making and china painting.
Also in Longton, the factory shops of Wedgwood, Portmeirion, Aynsley China, Royal Doulton, Tutbury Crystal Glass and Leeds Pottery all offer excellent shopping opportunities and facilities to groups. There is a wide selection of goods for sale and most of these outlets sell factory seconds and discontinued ranges at huge savings. Some of the larger companies have several outlets in the city, often separating the best quality goods from the seconds.
In Stoke, Spode was established in 1770 and played an important part in the development of the ceramic industry. On a guided tour of the working factory, visitors learn how Josiah Spode I and II were two of the forerunners in the industry and created Spode’s lasting reputation. After the tour, groups can arrange to visit the Spode Museum and the exclusive Blue Room displaying many original pieces. Refreshments can be arranged in the Blue Italian Restaurant and, of course, you should allow plenty of time for shopping. For groups with limited time, it is possible to visit Spode just to shop for both ‘best’ and ‘seconds’ and a wide variety of gifts.
Smaller groups are welcome at Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre in Burslem but this visit is really for the specialist group keen to find out more about this beautiful pottery, still made in the original picturesque Moorcroft factory. On arrival, groups can browse the attractive Moorcroft Shop packed full of highly collectable, hand-made decorated earthenware, giftware and table lamps before discovering more about the pottery’s history in the adjoining Moorcroft Museum. Here, you will generally see pieces dating back to 1897 when William Moorcroft first discovered the Moorcroft decoration technique of ‘tube-lining’, although, from time to time, there may be more modern designs on display. As you tour the factory with a guide, you will see how Moorcroft pottery is both cast and decorated before the pots are fired for the first time and watch the tube-liners and hand painters at work as they meticulously decorate each item.
Also in Burslem, Moorland Pottery Factory Shop specialises in Art Deco pieces and limited editions whilst Ceramica brings the history of the ceramics industry alive with its video presentations and interactive displays.
Housing the finest collection of Staffordshire ceramics in the world, the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley is well worth a visit whilst the Etruria Industrial Museum welcomes pre-booked groups throughout the summer to view this last working steam-powered potters’ mill in Britain. For steam enthusiasts, the 1903 boiler is fired seven times a year during this period when the historic machinery can be seen in operation.
In the south of Stoke-on-Trent, the Wedgwood Visitor Centre offers visitors the opportunity to tour the factory and exhibition areas at their own pace, using audio guides, and see the age old traditions of the ceramics industry along with the latest developments in technology. There is a lot to see and do so allow plenty of time for your visit. For groups, the activity area is always popular and for a small additional charge, your group members will be able to try their hand at seven hands-on activities including potting, painting and press moulding. New for 2007, groups can take afternoon tea in the new Tea Room where a selection of finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and savouries will be served with a choice of specialist Wedgwood teas. Joint packages with Trentham (formerly Trentham Gardens) are exclusively available to groups.
One of the best times to visit Stoke-on-Trent is during its Ceramics Festival. Hosted in the Cultural Quarter and various other venues across the city, this year’s will be the 3rd Ceramics Festival to take place (5-7 October 2007) and there will be lots going on with lectures, presentations, demonstrations, workshops and street theatre. There are even additional discounts at many of the factory shops.
Garden history
If you have not visited Stoke-on-Trent for a few years, you should be interested in a new development on the outskirts of the city, Trentham. Conveniently located just off the M6, there are a number of different ways that groups can enjoy this visit. In fact, if you prefer, your group could easily go their separate ways and explore Trentham Retail Village with 62 retailers, Trentham Garden Centre or the 750 acres of park and woodland. However, the highlight is undoubtedly the Italian Gardens overlooking the lake, which are currently undergoing a major regeneration and already, after just three years, look mature with changing colours throughout the seasons. Once the seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, Trentham fell into decay in the 20th century and remained so for many years until redevelopment began in 2003.
It is really worthwhile arranging a guided tour for your group to discover the fascinating history and development of the gardens and there is a choice of two available to parties of 12 or more. The first option consists of a short introduction to the history and development of the gardens whilst the second takes a more in-depth look into how the Italian Gardens have been recreated true to Charles Barry’s original 17th century creation for the Duke of Sutherland, yet with contemporary planting by garden designers Tom Stuart-Smith and Piet Oudolf.
Elsewhere on the estate, the Eastern Pleasure Garden will be ready for Easter this year whilst the Western Pleasure Grounds will be further developed. Other developments for 2007 include the opening of the first of two hotels on the Estate.
For something different, Trentham also organises Fire Pit Evenings for groups of 15 or more. These consist of an accompanied night-time walk through the Trentham woods ‘tracking’ animals, followed by hot food and drinks around the fire pit. Later in the evening, entertainment os provided in the form of live guitar music.
Almost hidden away in a corner of Trentham Estate, is a separate attraction, Trentham Monkey Forest, home to 140 Barbary Macaques. This 60-acre area of forest provides the habitat for these creatures, originally natives of Morocco and Algeria. They are a highly endangered species and although unique to Britain, there are three other monkey forests in Europe, two in France and one in Germany. There are no cages or fences to separate you from the monkeys and you will find that they are completely relaxed in your presence – they might even pose for a photo. There are hourly feeding talks and you will also learn all about how the monkeys live in groups, each group having is own social hierarchy through interpretation panels and knowledgeable guides, positioned along the paths who are happy to answer any questions.
In the modern visitor areas, there is an information video continously playing, a self service café aptly named Banana cafe, a ‘Jungle’ gift shop and even picnic tables if you would like to bring your lunch with you. Discounts apply to groups of 20 or more at Trentham Monkey Forest. A joint ticket with the Italian Gardens at Trentham is offered exclusively to groups. It is possible to walk to the Monkey Forest from Trentham or it is just a short drive by coach. There is ample free coach parking at both venues.
For more fun, the nearby attraction, Aerial Extreme, is a high adrenaline adventure ropes course with over 20 fun and challenging obstacles. Discounts apply to groups of 15 or more.
There is a good choice of further attractions in and around Stoke-on-Trent for garden lovers. Home to the Ford family for nearly 200 years, Ford Green Hall in Smallthorne is a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse complete with period garden. While a collection of textiles, ceramics and furniture is displayed in the richly furnished rooms, garden enthusiasts should explore the garden, planted in 1996 to recapture the 17th century style of gardening.
To the east of Stoke on Trent at Wetley Rocks, Consall Hall Landscape Gardens is a picturesque garden set in four valleys with six lakes. The pack-horse bridges, numerous follies and summer houses create a series of interesting vistas. Groups of 20 or more are welcome to book a visit on any day or evening throughout the year by prior arrangement and discounts apply. The tearoom serves lunches and afternoon teas with home-made cakes whilst for groups, buffets can also be arranged.
Also within easy reach of the city, Biddulph Grange Garden is a rare surviving example of a high Victorian garden restored by The National Trust. The garden is divided into a series of connected ‘compartments’, designed by James Bateman to display specimens from his wide-ranging plant collection. The gardens have many unusual features including upside down trees, rockwork, a formal Italian garden, Egyptian Court and tranquil Chinese garden. Discounts apply to pre-booked groups of 15 or more. Out of hours tours can also be arranged.
Another attraction near Stoke-on-Trent, is Stapeley Water Gardens near Nantwich in Cheshire, where groups can combine retail therapy with animal life. Groups can see tamarin monkeys, toucans, piranhas, sharks and exotic plants living in the recreated tropical rainforest atmosphere of the Palms Tropical Oasis before browsing the enormous garden centre, angling superstore and camping and outdoor stores.
Also near Nantwich, Bridgemere Garden World offers a vast selection of plants, conservatory and garden furniture, gifts, clothing, books and toys. For some planting inspiration, explore the 20 different styles of gardens or enjoy some home-made cooking in the coffee shop and restaurant.
The Dorothy Clive Garden near Market Drayton in Shropshire, meanwhile, is a hillside garden featuring a quarry with waterfall, rhododendrons, herbaceous borders and water garden. Discounts apply to groups of 20 or more.
Further a field, Stoke-on-Trent is surrounded by beautiful countryside including the Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District National Park. Here, you will find scenic drives, picturesque towns and villages and a range of outdoor activities.
Our thanks to the Holiday Inn Stoke-on-Trent and Tourism Stoke-on-Trent for their hospitality to Brenda Watkinson during her visit to Stoke-on-Trent.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Tourism, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
PO Box 2461, Civic Centre, Glebe Street
Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1WR
Tel: +44 (0)1782 232701/232817
Fax: +44 (0)1782 232910
Email: tourism@stoke.gov.uk
Web: www.visitstoke.co.uk