As a global capital of the ceramics industry, Stoke-on-Trent is home to many museums and galleries, as well as factory tours where you can learn all about its rich industrial heritage. With a rental car it’s also possible to visit attractions nearby, including the beautiful landscapes of the Peak District.
Ceramics capital
The pottery industry has been flourishing in Stoke-on-Trent since the 17th century and the city still exports ceramics around the world. You can learn all about its proud history at venues such as the Gladstone Museum, housed in a Victorian pottery factory where you’ll see traditional skills in action along with original workshops and kilns.
At the World of Wedgwood, you can even take a tour of the factory where iconic pieces such as the Borghese Vase are produced. Or you can head to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, which boasts a hugely impressive collection of Staffordshire ceramics.
At the Potteries Museum you can also see the Staffordshire Hoard, the biggest collection of Anglo Saxon gold and silver ever discovered. It was found in a field in Staffordshire in 2009, and today hundreds of pieces are on display at the museum where you can learn all about the discovery and the fascinating history behind these objects.
Family fun
Stoke-on-Trent is close to one of the most popular theme parks in the UK, Alton Towers. Here you’ll find dozens of rides and attractions, including white-knuckle rollercoasters and a water park. The main attraction is open between March and September, but many of its hotels and smaller attractions are open all year round.
If you’re visiting in October or November, you might have the chance to witness the park’s Scarefest event, when many of its rides and attractions are open after dark to celebrate Halloween. The park also hosts a huge firework display to celebrate the end of its season in November each year.
Natural splendor
Just a short drive outside Stoke-on-Trent you’ll find Trentham Estate, a vast attraction filled with gardens, woodlands and even a shopping village. Visit the Trentham Gardens area and you can see plants and flowers of all kinds, from an Italian-style garden to a floral labyrinth and beautiful meadows.
At the center lies the mile-long Trentham Lake, home to a woodland walking trail. You can take a boat trip out onto the water, and there is even an adventure playground nearby to keep younger visitors entertained.
If you’re keen to explore more of the great outdoors, a rental car makes it easy to take a short drive out of Stoke-on-Trent to the Peak District, a huge National Park with hills and valleys where you can enjoy amazing views of the English countryside. There’s also the opportunity to enjoy activities such as wildlife watching and cycling.
You’ll find all this and more within easy reach with Hertz car rental in Stoke-on-Trent.