Staffordshire and the Potteries
Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city afferctionately known as The Potteries - a creative city that makes beautiful things - surrounded by the trapings of wealth this historic industry has brought it.
Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city afferctionately known as The Potteries - a creative city that makes beautiful things - surrounded by the trapings of wealth this historic industry has brought it.
Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city affectionately known as The Potteries. It is a creative city that makes beautiful things - a place where art, technology and commerce comes together through craftmanship. It is the undisputed World Capital of Ceramics and offers award winning museums, fascinating visitor centres and pottery factory shops. The wider county of Staffordshire offers vast expanses of stunning countryside from vibrant cities to historic towns and pretty villages. The landscapes are criss-crossed by canals built to convey the potteries raw materials and finished products, then peppered with grand houses and gardens built by the wealthy pottery owners.
ITINERARY
Thursday - Morning departure from Dorset to Gloucester city centre for lunch. Resume that afternoon to Stoke where, after checking in, we enjoy dinner.
Friday - Morning visit to Biddulph Grange Gardens, a grade 1 listed masterpiece of the great Victorian age of gardening. Visitors are led from one area to another in a journey of discovery and exploration. The Autumnal hues are particularly appealing at this time of year. Later we drive to The Wedgewood Factory Tour to join a behind the scenes experience to reveal how Wedgewood is designed, created and crafted. Discover the craftsmanship and extraordinary skills of the talented workers as you walk around the original 1940s working factory.
Saturday - Visit Shugborough House and Gardens near Stafford - a Georgian mansion of global treasures surrounded by pleasure grounds, an arboretum and walled garden. This afternoon drive to the County Town of Stafford - rich in history and heritage, it has an abundance of stunning architecture. Right in the centre is The Ancient High House which once dominated the towns skyline. Built around 1595 the ornate timber framed building is the largest surviving house from the Tudor period in the UK. We shall be treated to a guided tour of this spectacular building and its museum exhibition.
Sunday - Visit Trentham Gardens, the perfect setting for anyone seeking tranquillity or inspiration.
These award winning contemporary gardens feature formal Italianate terraces and lakeside walks in breath-taking landscapes - famously home to fairies! There is an unusual shopping village housed in timber lodges with cafes and restaurants. This afternoon return to the hotel and make the short walk (8 mins) to The Potteries Museum & Gallery - discover the Potteries through exciting displays of art, local history, natural sciences and the worlds greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics.
Monday - Homeward bound we shall stop in the town of Evesham. A medieval market town on the river Avon. Resume to Dorset this afternoon returning by early evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hilton Garden Inn, Stoke-on-Trent
A brand new 4 star modern city centre hotel situated just a half mile from the Cultural Quarter and convenient for our planned visits. Generously proportioned guestrooms provide private bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, TV, phone, fridge, iron, safe, tea tray, wifi and are air-conditioned. The restaurant is a relaxed place to enjoy a variety of freshly prepared meals with choices and the adjacent bar is a comfortable place to socialise with a drink. There is a well equipped gym for the energetic and on-site mini-market selling snacks. Lifts serve all floors and room service is available.
TOUR PRICE: £495.00 per person
Single Room Supplement : £130.00
Price includes : All coach travel, 4 nights hotel accommodation, Half board meals, Entry to Trentham Gardens, Entry to Biddulph Grange, Wedgewood Factory Tour, Entry to Shugborough, Ancient High House Tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | Southlands Road bus stop on Buxton Road, Weymouth (former St Nicholas Church) |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Value House | Value House Car Park |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
