Here in Stoke-on-Trent, there will be the the usual chance to discover fantastic architecture and enjoy a wide range of events and activities that bring local history and culture to life. This year the national theme is ‘Creativity Unwrapped’, providing another opportunity to highlight the incredible artistic talent and architecture of The Potteries! The city’s brilliant museums, attractions and heritage groups have risen to the challenge and will be highlighting the achievements of the city's own creatives, including Wedgwood and Moorcroft and the lesser known William Baker and Hugh Henshall. As ever, we will also be focussing on our unique industrial heritage with events that feature our iconic bottle ovens.
The programme is co-ordinated nationally, by the National Trust and with support from players of the People's Postcard Lottery, and locally by The Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, bringing together local hosts and heritage enthusiasts.
Hover over the icons with your curser for the key. See our "At a Glance" guide.
These are the events taking place in Stoke-on-Trent this year: Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 4 >
Bethesda Chapel |
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Albion Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1QF
 Saturday 9th September
12:00 - 15:00, Organ recital 14:45 onwards
Saturday 16th September
12:00 - 15:00
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| Bethesda was founded by the local pottery owners in 1797. It was the first New Connexion Chapel so is of religious importance. It is of architectural interest with what is thought to have the largest span outside London when it was built. It had some alterations in its early years as it was expanded twice. In its early days it had a bank and an 'infirmary'. Nearest parking, John Street car park or Hinde Street car park. | ||
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Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Tours |
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Saturday 9th September
Sunday 10th September
Saturday 16th September
Sunday 17th September
10:00 - 16:00 FULLY BOOKED |
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| The Chatterley Whitfield Colliery site is acknowledged to be the most comprehensive survival of a deep mine site in England, with a range of surviving structures and buildings unequalled in any other former or surviving coalfield site in Britain. It is not usually open to the public, this free guided tour by Chatterley Whitfield Friends will allow you to appreciate the splendid array of buildings on site, which makes Chatterley Whitfield Colliery so unique. A Victorian Time Capsule - as seen on the Lloyds TV advert, Hidden Britain by Drone, Abandoned Engineering. A chance to visit Chatterley Whitfield Colliery, which closed in 1977 and became a museum. New Heritage Centre. Sorry but no underground tours. Pre-booking essential. | ||
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Booking: Pre-book online from 21 August. FULLY BOOKED Website: chatterleywhitfieldfriends.org.uk |
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Chatterley Whitfield Enterprise Centre
Discover the Dudson Legacy |
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The Dudson Centre, Hope Street
 Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5DD Sunday 10th September
10:30 to 14:30
Tours at 11:00 and 13:00
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Join us on our new guided Dudson Heritage Trail, created for HOD. Discover more areas of the former Dudson pottery site, unwrap the Dudson family legacy, learn about the potters' skills and processes, reimagine the pottery factory during the 1800-1900's. The tour culminates inside the Grade II bottle oven, a magnificent place to fully appreciate the ambience of the building and admire 200 years of Dudson ceramics on display. Afterwards, relax in the Dudson café and maybe chat with the VAST Volunteering team about opportunities at the museum. Everyone interested in volunteering will take away a free goody bag. |
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Booking: not required for entry. Book tours via: https://dudsonmuseum.vast.org.uk/whats-on/ Website: dudsonmuseum.vast.org.uk |
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Explore the V&A Wedgwood Collection: Family Activities |
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Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston
 Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER
Saturday 9th September
Saturday 16th September
10:00 to 16:00
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Accessible family entertainment and activities in the galleries of the V&A Wedgwood Collection. Interactive Georgian-inspired activities for kids of all ages. Explore, discover and make with us as we unwrap the creativity of Wedgwood past and present with a variety of activities. |
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Booking: not required Website: worldofwedgwood.com |
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Exploring A R Wood's Burslem |
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  Meet outside Burslem School of ArtQueen Street, Burslem, ST6 3EJ
Thursday 14th September 14:00 - FULLY BOOKED Max 25 people |
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| A guided walk leading from the Potteries town of Burslem to nearby Middleport, focused on the architecture and buildings created by Absalom Reade Wood. Following on from 2021's "Exploring A R Wood's Tunstall", this walk will include some of Woods's most celebrated architectural works, including Burslem School of Art, the United Reform Church and Middleport Pottery. The event is co-ordinated by Potteries Heritage Society and led by Sentinel columnist and urbanist, Dave Proudlove. | ||
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Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/exploring-woods-burslem-book Website: potteries.org.uk |
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Exploring Hugh Henshall's Longport |
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Meet at Longport Station
Station Street, Longport, ST6 4ND
Sunday 10th September
10:00 - FULLY BOOKED
Max 25 people
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A guided walk around Longport and along the Trent and Mersey Canal focussing on the sites and buildings associated with the surveyor, canal engineer and entrepreneur Hugh Henshall. We will explore his work and influence over the development of The Potteries during the Industrial Revolution, which is more often associated with his much more famous brother-in-law, James Brindley. |
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Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/exploring-henshalls-longport-book Website: potteries.org.uk |
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Exploring William Baker's Fenton |
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Meet outside Fenton Town Hall
Albert Square, Fenton, ST4 3FA
Monday 11th September
11:00 - FULLY BOOKED
15:00 - FULLY BOOKED
Max 25 people per session
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A guided walk around the Potteries town of Fenton focussing on the community buildings created by industrialists William Baker and William Meath Baker, which included everything from factories to houses, the library, church and town hall. Following on from our acclaimed "Exploring..." series of Heritage Open Days, this event is co-ordinated by Potteries Heritage Society and led by Monienne Stone and Andy Perkin. Refreshments available before the event in the cafe at Fenton Town Hall. |
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Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/exploring-bakers-fenton-book Website: potteries.org.uk |
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Ford Green Hall |
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Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, ST6 1NG
Sunday 10th September 11:00 to 15:30 |
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| Explore the Hall free of charge! Consult a 17th Century Surgeon. Meet a soldier from the late Stuart army. Have a go at writing with a quill pen. Play with period toys and games. Our tea room will be open as usual! | ||
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Booking: not required Website: fordgreenhall.org.uk |
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Gladstone Pottery Museum |
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Gladstone Pottery Museum, Uttoxeter Road
 Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ
Friday 8th September 10:00 to 17:00 |
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| To celebrate Heritage Open Days the museum will open to the public free of charge. Visitors can experience what conditions were like for the men, women and children who worked at the centre of the world’s pottery industry. See the Tile Gallery featuring one of the best decorative tile collections in the country and ‘Flushed with Pride’ a remarkable gallery dedicated to the history of the toilet. | ||
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Booking: not required Website: stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm |
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Hanley Heritage Tour |
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Meet at the Bandstand in Hanley Park
Cleveland Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4DX
Saturday 9th September 11:00 to 15:00 - FULLY BOOKED Max 20 people |
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| A guided walk from the historic grade II* listed Hanley Park, taking in the former headquarters of the Royal Staffordshire Regiment and Heritage Open Day activities at St Mark's Church in Hanley and Shirley's Mill in Steam at Etruria. Come along and learn more about the fabulous history of The Potteries. The circular walk covers around 2.5 miles with frequent stops for talk and refreshments. Includes visits to other Heritage Open Day events - The Potters Cathedral and Shirley's Mill in Steam. | ||
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Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/hanley-heritage-tour-book Website: potteries.org.uk |
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