Stoke-on-Trent is famous for many things. The city’s pottery industry conquered the world, so too did Robbie Williams, and Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, for that matter. Admittedly, Captain Edward Smith fell short when he fired up the engines of the Titanic. Nevertheless, Stoke’s influence has extended far beyond the boundaries of the six towns that make up the flourishing city. For anyone visiting our Stoke-on-Trent hotels, we’ve gathered some of the best things to see, experience and – most importantly – eat during your stay, so you’ll never be left wondering what to do in Stoke-on-Trent. Take a look; don’t be shy, beyond the famous attractions like Alton Towers, Trentham Gardens, World of Wedgwood, and the Regent Theatre, you’ll see that ‘the Potteries’ still has plenty of surprises in store.
Things to do in Stoke-on-Trent
Places to eat
Find yourself feeling peckish? Well, take a look at our local guide to places to eat where we’ve gathered together some of the best cafés and restaurants in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Hanley and Trentham. We also get a little effusive about the Staffordshire oatcake, the city’s local delicacy. Try them for yourself and you’ll understand why.
Nightlife
If you’ve ever fancied a night out beginning with 200-beer-strong bottle shops and ending with drag queen DJs, then you’ve come to the right place. On top of that, you can find out about some of the very best bars and micropubs in the area, perfect for casual day drinking and stylish cocktails in the evening.
Shopping
If you want some retail therapy, one of the best places to go shopping in Stoke-on-Trent is the Potteries shopping centre in Hanley, where you’ll find retailers like Primark, H&M, Pandora and Topshop.
Further afield, Trentham Shopping Village has more than 75 timber huts housing everything from outdoor brands and boutiques to homeware stores and delicatessens. It also offers plenty of free parking, perfect if you want to do some shopping after exploring the Trentham Estate.
Last but not least, if you’re looking for menswear, Pockets and Infinities are two excellent options with stores in both Newcastle-under-Lyme and Hanley’s Cultural Quarter.
Getting Around
Stoke-on-Trent isn’t your typical city in that it’s six towns rolled into one. It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that it can be tricky getting around such a large area. To make life easier, we’ve tried only to mention convenient places and attractions that are close to our Stoke-on-Trent hotels.
In terms of public transport, you’ll arrive into town via either the £15 million 22-bay Hanley Bus Station, or Stoke-on-Trent train station, which dates back to Victorian times. If you want to catch a taxi, Uber is widely available. Alternatively, you can choose from any number of local taxi providers, such as Roseville Taxis.
If you’re looking to travel from further afield, you can fly into Manchester Airport. It’s 40-odd miles away, but is your closest option. One option is to stay at one of our Manchester Airport hotels before travelling by rail or road to Stoke-on-Trent.
Potteries
