Discover Staffordshire: Holiday Homes between the Peak District and Ceramic Heritage

Staffordshire combines impressive landscapes with an unusually diverse cultural history. The Peak District National Park covers 555 square miles; around 20 percent of it lies in Staffordshire. Here, the spectacular ruggedness of The Roaches, the gentle hills of the Manifold Valley, and opportunities for walking and cycling meet a rich tradition of pottery, railway history and family-oriented attractions.

Nature

The Roaches has public footpaths and is suitable for climbing, walking and wildlife watching. At the same time, the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and forms part of the South Pennine Moors Special Area for Conservation and a Special Protection Area. This means that clearly defined paths and activities coexist here with a clearly designated protected status.

Cannock Chase also shapes the landscape. At 69 square kilometres, Cannock Chase is the smallest National Landscape in the English mainland. Cannock Chase National Landscape offers opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding and has 157 kilometres of public rights of way, including sections of the Heart of England Way and the Staffordshire Way.

The National Memorial Arboretum guide features four highlighted circular walks through the arboretum and stories about some of the more than 400 memorials along the routes.

Culture and Crafts

The ceramic tradition can be explored in various ways. The Wedgwood Factory Tour takes visitors behind the scenes of Wedgwood’s Made-in-England production. The V&A Wedgwood Collection Tour presents the history of Josiah Wedgwood I, including his achievements, innovations and family life. At the Clay Studio at World of Wedgwood, visitors can shape their own pot on a pottery wheel under guidance.

The industrial heritage is showcased at the Apedale Heritage Centre, which provides information about the industrial heritage of the Apedale Valley and the history of the surrounding region. The Etruria Industrial Museum offers insights into the development of Britain’s canal network and the role of pioneering canal engineer James Brindley. The Gladstone Pottery Museum is the world’s last complete surviving Victorian pottery; visitors can also throw, make or decorate their own souvenir there. The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery displays a significant collection of Staffordshire ceramics as well as objects from the Staffordshire Hoard.

The Churnet Valley Railway offers journeys on historic steam trains through Staffordshire’s impressive landscapes; it also holds various events throughout the year. Its journeys therefore pass through a landscape that is explicitly among the defining impressions of Staffordshire.

Family Attractions

Alton Towers Resort offers rides and roller coasters. CBeebies Land at Alton Towers Resort provides family-oriented experiences. At Drayton Manor Resort, rides are combined with a large zoo; the resort also includes Thomas Land, which is considered the only Thomas Land in Europe.

Trentham Estate includes the Italian Gardens. The estate also offers a lake and a shopping village. This means that gardens, a body of water and a shopping area are located alongside one another within the same day-trip destination.

Food and Drink

The Staffordshire oatcake is a savoury pancake made from oatmeal, flour and yeast and is a local speciality of Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas. Visitors can try Staffordshire oatcakes at traditional oatcake shops in Staffordshire, including several in North Staffordshire. Nelson’s Distillery & School offers tours and tastings; visitors can also make their own blend of gin, vodka or rum there.

Getting There

The West Coast Main Line connects railway stations in Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Lichfield and Tamworth, with major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The M6 runs from north to south through Staffordshire; junctions are available at Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford and Cannock.

Other Places

For further orientation among the linked places, see Burton-upon-Trent, Trentham, Tamworth, Stafford, Rugeley, Penkridge, Pattingham, Newcastle Under Lyme, Long Compton, Lichfield, Ecton, Cannock, Brewood, Branston, Barton Under Needwood, Hanchurch, Himley, Gayton, Uttoxeter, Hatherton, Whitmore, Tutbury, Stone, Newport, Loggerheads, Drointon, Hilderstone, Combridge, Oakamoor, Hopwas, Leek, Ashley, Brocton, Perton, Coven, Silverdale, Hollington, Alton, Great Haywood, Longnor, Whittington, Meerbrook, Eccleshall, Cheddleton, Endon, Seisdon, Madeley, Kinver, Hamstall Ridware, Wetley Rocks, Rolleston-on-Dove, Flash, Dunston and Burntwood.

For the broader travel overview: West Midlands.