As I have said in my previous post (here!), I wouldn’t necessarily recommend anyone visit Stoke. However, there are a few things in the surrounding areas that I would definitely recommend if you happen to be in the area.
- Peak Wildlife Park
Just outside the town of Leek, seemingly in the middle of nowhere lies Peak Wildlife Park. An adorable little zoo where cages are banned & you can walk in amongst the animals. It’s brand new & still a work in progress (when we last went admission was still less than a tenner for an adult!) so things are being added all the time! The penguins are my personal favourite. Yes, you can walk in amongst the penguins. There’s also meerkats & baby goats & wallabies & a tortoise named Jack & lemurs & all sorts! My boyfriend treated me to a VIP package for my birthday. I got to feed all of the animals. It was amazing. Ok, it is a little bit out of the way of Stoke, but I can’t recommend this little place enough! GO THERE!
- Trentham Gardens
Trentham Gardens are set within a large area of woodland on the Trentham Estate. They used to surround Tretham Hall, previously a grand manor house, who’s ruins can be seen and read about from the gardens. The gardens themselves are infamously beautiful, with a wildflower maze, a lake, and an ornate Italian garden. There are beautiful fairy sculptures dotted around the gardens which kids can have fun looking for on the fairy trail. There’s also an adventure playground, a sensory garden, a barefoot walk, and a cafe which sells Snugbury’s ice cream – so plenty of things to keep everyone occupied! More info can be found here. They also have regular events such as concerts and fireworks.
- Emma Bridgewater Factory & Shop
Stoke and it’s surrounding towns are often referred to as The Potteries, due to a past full of pottery (duh). Speak to any Stokie over the age of 50 and they will probably have worked in the pot banks at some time in their life. Emma Bridgewater’s spotty mugs are an iconic piece, well-known throughout the UK. Her original designs and samples were created here in Stoke, where she still has a factory. Factory Tours are free and run Mon-Fri. She also has a pottery studio (open 7 days a week) where you can choose your own piece of pottery to paint. Decorating fee is £2.95, then prices vary depending on which piece of pottery you choose. I recently painted a plate. It was so much fun and looks incredible. I would recommend taking a trip and doing both the tour and the painting – but make sure you book in advance!
- Trentham Monkey Forest & Treetop Adventure
At one end of the Trentham Lake you have a shopping village (perfect for unique presents) and the main entrance to the gardens. At the other end of the lake there is another entrance to the gardens… but also the Monkey Forest (where you actually walk in with the monkeys) and a Treetop Adventure course (for the more thrill-seeking among us). Both are worth a visit and could be done in the same day.
- Alton Towers
The place has got some bad rep in recent years, however it will always remain close to my heart. I have lived near there pretty much my whole life, visiting as a child (and grown-up), and working there in recent years. The atmosphere is great. The rides are great. You can get 2 for 1 deals on a lot of products. The roller coaster restaurant is a great new (ish) addition which I would recommend, but make sure you book a table. If you fancy staying over at one of the hotels, they also have a water park, spa, crazy golf, and tree top adventure course to keep you occupied. There is something for everyone, and definitely worth a day trip if you’re in the area!
Not too far from Stoke lies the Peak District…
- Dovedale
Stoke on Trent isn’t too far away from the rolling hills and endless countryside of the Peak District. A short drive away from the town of Ashbourne lies Dovedale, a rocky ravine cut through the limestone by the River Dove. There are all sorts of different walks in the area, up hills, down the river… there is even a cave if you wander far enough! It’s an incredibly tranquil & peaceful place to be. The highlight for me however, has to be the stepping stones across the river! Hours of fun! Plus there’s an ice cream/cake shop in the car park, to reward yourself for all the fun & exercise.
- Mam Tor
Mam Tor is located just outside the village of Castleton in Derbyshire. Apparently its name means “mother hill,” and boy is it the mother of all hills! I am not the healthiest of people, so was incredibly out of breath once we reached the top, but myyyyyyy the views were spectacular. Well worth the effort. On one side of the hill, there is also a section of road that is no longer used, as part of it has slipped due to a landslide. It looks like something out of an apocalypse film and is pretty cool to walk up. There are also a number of caverns around the base of the hill that were once used for mining and are now open to public visits.
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