Staffordshire
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Four Counties Ring – Part 4 Completing the Circle
On entering the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal at Autherley Junction the character of the waterway changes once again. First, Pendeford Rockin, a narrow cutting with passing places through a rocky outcrop, then meandering with evenly spaced locks. We found this section of the canal to be very attractive with its many arched bridges. Slightly further on we came across…
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Narrowboating on The Four Counties Ring – Part 1 Staffordshire
Day One: After enjoying short break boating holidays over the previous two years we were definitely hooked and ready for a bigger challenge. The idea of following a ‘ring’ appealed to us instead of a ‘there and back’ boat trip where you need to turn the boat round and retrace your steps mid-way. A ring…
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A Day at World of Wedgwood
World of Wedgwood is an award winning tourist attraction set in 240 acres of countryside in the village of Barlaston, Staffordshire. The area is known as ‘The Potteries’ and is home to the world famous Wedgwood brand, a company is steeped in rich heritage. Spanning over 260 wonderful years, Wedgwood continues today to be renowned…
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The Stoke-on-Trent Ceramics Trail
Back in 1910 the six towns that came together to form Stoke were known collectively as The Potteries and comprise Hanley, Tunstall, Burslem, Longton, Fenton and Stoke. Although one might expect Stoke to be the actual city centre, it is usually regarded as Hanley. The Ceramic Trail is based around these towns which are located…
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Day 3. Stoke-on-Trent Ceramics Trail
It was slightly overcast as we checked out of the Trentham Travelodge which had been an excellent base for touring The Potteries. We drove into nearby Hanley for breakfast which we enjoyed in the Reginald Mitchell pub named after the inventor of the Spitfire. The building was once a meat market and its glass roof…
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Day 2. World of Wedgwood & Biddulph Grange Gardens
After a good night’s sleep, we set off after breakfast for a visit to the World of Wedgwood in nearby Barlaston. The Wedgwood group of companies is owned by Fiskars, the Finnish gardening and homeward group so it was interesting to visit as I have visited their showroom in Helsinki. The Wedgwood estate stretches for…
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Day 1. The Potteries, Trentham Monkey Forest & Gardens
Stoke-on-Trent doesn’t always spring to mind for a short break in the U.K. but reading about its industrial heritage as the world capital of ceramics tempted us to spend a few days exploring the city. Stoke is located midway between Manchester and Birmingham and has direct rail services to London taking only 90 minutes. In…
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