In Staffordshire
Staffordshire is home to the Potteries, five towns of which Stoke on Trent is famous for the manufacturing of china and has lots of factory outlets, museums and fun places to visit. The following websites may be helpful:
Stoke on Trent:
www.stoke.gov.uk/tourism
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/tourism
POTTERIES
Bridgewater: www.bridgewaterpotterycom
Royal Doulton: wwW.royal-doulton.com
Portmeirion Potteries: 01782 743460
Waterford Wedgwood Factory Shop: 01782 316161
VISITOR CENTRES:
Royal Doulton: www.royal-doulton.com/rd/visitors
The World of Spode: www.spode.co.uk
The Wedgwood Story: www.thewedgwoodstory.com
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Alton Towers: Oakamoor, Alton. One of the top five UK visitor attractions with a large number of exciting rides including the Black Hole, Nemesis, Oblivion, Ripsaw and the Corkscrew. Perfect for all the family.
Tel: 01538 702200 www.alton-towers.co.uk
Drayton Manor Park and Zoo, Fazeley, near Tamworth. Family theme park covering 250 acres and including a zoo farm, three museums, and more than 50 rides. www.draytonmanor.co.uk
Waterworld, Festival Park, Eturia, Stoke-on-Trent Tel: 01782 283838
The UK's most exciting water theme park for all age group. Aqua assault course, super flumes, rapids and wavepool. 20 unique water rides. www.waterworld.co.uk
Snowdome, Leisure Island, Riverdrive, Tamworth - UK's premier snow centre with skiing, snowboarding and blading facilities, including lessons. www.snowdome.co.uk
Shugborough Estate, near Milford, Stafford. Tel: 01889 881388. The magnificent seat of the Earl of Lichfield now being restored as a 19th century working estate. The house contains an interesting collection of china, silver, paintings and furniture. Part of the house is still lived in by the Earl and his family. Shugborough Park Farm is now a Georgian working farm featuring an agricultural museum, restored working corn mill, and a rare breeds centre. Visitors to the dairy can see cheese and butter being made.
Biddulph Grange Gardens, Grange Road, Biddulph. Tel: 01782 517999. One of Britain's most exciting and unusual gardens designed in the mid 19th century by James Bateman to display an extensive and wide ranging plant collection. It has been restored by the National Trust and the garden is divided into themed gardens including a Chinese temple, Egyptian court, pinetum, dahlia walk, glen and many other settings.
Moseley Old Hall, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton. Tel: 01902 78280. An Elizabethan house, altered in the 19th century and famous for its association with Charles II who hid here after the Battle of Worcester (1651). The bed in which he slept in is on view. An exhibition retells the story.
The Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, Market Drayton. The Dorothy Clive Garden accommodates a wide range of choice and unusual plants providing all year round interest. Features include a quarry with spectacular waterfall, flower borders, a scree and water garden. www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk
Whitmore Hall, Whitmore, Newcastle under Lyme. Tel: 01782 680478. A Grade I listed building, Whitmore Hall was designated a house of outstanding architectural and historical interest and is a fine example of a small Carolinian manor house. There are some good family portraits to be seen as it has been the family seat for more than 900 years of the Cavenagh-Mainwarings.
