The six weeks school holidays are fast approaching, and parents across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are going to be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained day in, day out until the start of September. Only, daily activities can end up being quite expensive – especially if you have multiple children – and with the cost of living crisis over our heads, it’s more important than ever to save a few quid where you can.
Some of my fondest memories as a little duck myself were during the school holidays, and with three kids, my parents didn’t have bags of money to spend on days out – but those free fun days, trips to the park, and museum visits stick in my mind as some of the best days of my childhood. So I’ve put together this handy guide of totally free or incredibly cheap things to do in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with the kids this summer to help you pack out six whole weeks of fun filled activities, often without spending a penny.
From free trails, fire station open days and farms to pottery painting, cheap movies and board games. Pretty much everything in this guide is free or works out at less than £5 per person, and I hope you find some amazing activities and things to do as a family. To help you navigate this guide, all of the events and visits are split into geographical areas like Hanley, Newcastle and the Moorlands. Some city-wide initiatives can be found towards the bottom, as well as a handful of nearby Cheshire activities.
So – without further ado – here are more than 50 free or mega cheap things to do in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with kids this summer holidays.
Things to do in and around Hanley
Potteries Museum and Art Gallery – The PM&AG is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and 11am to 4pm on Sundays, and is the perfect place to explore some of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s rich heritage. Admission is free and visitors can take advantage of three hours free parking at Tesco, or opt to pay at one of the closer car parks. Visitors can take a look at the RW388 Spitfire, as well as displays and a celebration of it’s iconic designer Reginald Mitchell. There is a trail and a family activity pack linked to the gallery that can be purchased at the Welcome Desk in the Foyer for a small fee.
Running until August 27, visitors can enjoy the free Around The World in 80 Dolls exhibition, which explores the museum’s wonderful doll collection. The exhibition will showcase dolls collected by Mrs Elsie Maud Young who was the great grand-daughter of William Turner, one of the well-known Turner family pottery manufacturers in Staffordshire. She visited countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Americas, collecting a great number of souvenirs including dolls from each place she visited. Many of these dolls, dressed in their national costume or regional dress, form the basis of Elsie’s collection which the museum acquired in 1965.
The museum has free wifi, baby changing facilities and is pushchair and buggy friendly with a lift available to use, and a cafe with child-size portions available on the menu. Find out more about the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery here.
The Mitchell Arts Centre – The MAC run film events year round and throughout the summer holidays, several children’s films are being shown, including the Gruffalo, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Matilda the Musical, Paddington and Inside Out to name a few. Children’s tickets cost £3.50 with one adult going free per paying child, meaning a family of four could enjoy a movie for £7 all in.
The Family Film Club runs on various dates and times throughout the holidays, and you can find all the current listings until the end of August here. It is recommended to book tickets in advance, as the movies are in rather high demand. These can be done either online, over the phone or at the Box Office.
What’s more is that, unlike the cinema, there are no trailers or adverts, and of course there’s the Spitfire Cafe where you may want to grab a hot chocolate, lunch or a snack before or after the film.
LongRest Boardgame Bar and Cafe – If you love boardgames but don’t fancy forking out for a new one each week, or fancy an introduction to Dungeons and Dragons after watching Stranger Things it’s definitely worth a trip to LongRest Boardgame Bar and Cafe on Cheapside. There are boardgames for a whole range of ages, and tables can be booked online for two hour or five hour slots. One hour gaming slots cost £2 per person, while five hours is £6 a head, offering guests access to a library of more than 300 games.
There’s a great food menu featuring pizzas, burgers and sides, and a selection of cocktails and craft beers for players of drinking age, should they wish. Currently advertised opening times are 6pm to 11pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, then 12pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11am to 9pm Sundays. It’s also worth keeping an eye on their what’s on page for any specific events.
The Potteries Centre – The Potteries Centre is ready to kick off the summer months in style with a diary packed full of fun and free activities to do all summer long. Here’s what you can find throughout the summer at Stoke-on-Trent’s leading shopping destination:
- Adventure Maze – July 22-August 6 – Take on the ultimate adventure with an under the sea themed maze where kids can explore and help Ollie the Octopus find the treasure and swim free. Located next to Lush, take a journey through the pathways of the maze keeping kids entertained while parents can roam around their favourite brands or just take a quick break. Find the hidden octopus tentacles around the maze and crack the code to be in with a chance to win a gift card or free tickets to Cineworld.
- The Village Green – July 22-September 3 – Enjoy a day on the Village Green with friends and family and make it the central hub while everyone disperses to shop, browse, and explore their favourite stores. Located outside H&M, the Village Green will be decorated with colourful picnic benches and summer flowers; the perfect spot to grab a refreshing drink and a bite to eat while taking a break from a much-needed day of shopping. Don’t forget to take a picture on the Summer Selfie Bench!
- Circus Flavours – August 5-6 – The Circus is coming to town with Upswing’s live circus showcase, Circus Flavours. The unique performance will be shown to audiences where they can witness the talented team take on an array of energetic circus moves before having a go for themselves. This free performance and workshop are available for children ages 7 and up and allows them to try out a new skill and learn from some of the most talented circus performers in the UK.
- The Beach – August 7-September 3 – The beach is back, and this year it’s bigger and better than ever. Bringing the traditional British seaside to Stoke-on-Trent, families will be able to sit up and relax in a deckchair around a sand pit where little ones can enjoy building sandcastles with buckets and spades. For those just passing through, take a quick stop off and enjoy one of the fun fair stalls including tin can alley, splat the rat, ball in a bucket and giant connect four. Located next to Lush, have a go at one of these traditional seaside games or jump into the giant deck chair for the perfect photo opp.
Emma Bridgewater – The Emma Bridgewater Factory, on Lichfield Street, is one of my favourite spots to visit when I just fancy a potter about. The factory is free to visit, with a shop, outlet and cafe on site, and free parking available behind the building. Factory tours are available for £8 per ticket, with advanced booking required online, and are held Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesdays at 10am. The one hour tour is suitable for children over the age of five, and the Emma Bridgewater site states that ‘tickets for under 18s will be refunded on the day when presenting ID’.
The decorating studio is a lot of fun, though more expensive with pots to paint starting from £7, you can read more about my personal pottery painting experience at Emma Bridgewater over Christmas here. When I’ve finished having a look at the seconds in the factory shop, I always like to go and find the secret garden, where little ones can admire some beautiful plants and shrubs in an enclosed garden. You’ll find the entrance to the garden in the gift shop, near to the toilets, and it’s always worth a visit if you’re a little green fingered.
Read more: A visit to Emma Bridgewater with Afternoon Tea
Potboiler Theatre The Secret City Trail – The Secret City was a self-led audio walking tour that took place in Summer 2021 in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre, featuring a map and nine audio recordings to listen to at various spots in Hanley, from Town Road to Bethesda Street. Funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and with help from Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, the map and audio clips are available on the Potboiler website so you can grab a pair of headphones and discover The Secret City with your loved ones.
Alternatively, you don’t even need to leave the house to enjoy this free trail. Settle into a comfy armchair, pop on your headphones and discover the nine audio stories online, and maybe even use Google Street View to find the places. While this trail is free for everyone, please do consider a donation to the independent theatre if you can.
Piccadilly Artisan Market – The Piccadilly Artisan Market is organised by a collective of born and bred locals with a passion for celebrating small and independent makers and creators from across the county. The venture is a partnership with Stoke-on-Trent BID, and is a monthly, family friendly event that runs on the fourth Sunday of every month, and has been doing since March 2022.
Stalls fill the city centre with gifts and treats like jewellery, sustainable skincare, bakes and cakes, as well as prints and candles across around 40 stalls. The next event will be held on Saturday 29-Sunday 30 July, coinciding with the Better World Festival, with another on Sunday, August 27 – Bank Holiday weekend. As well as a number of stalls to shop, there’s also a children’s activity zone where little ones can have a go at some games and challenges and free craft activities by CraftyKidz. Greyhound Gap will be running a prize every time kids tombola which is £1 per go and kids can win either teddy bears or toys.
Be sure to keep an eye on the market’s Facebook page where the often run voucher giveaways to spend at the market, including the street food vendors.
Hanley Parkrun – Hanley Parkrun is a free, fun and friendly weekly 5k community event held each saturday at 9am at Hanley Park, just off Cleveland Road. Participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate at the run which starts on the path between the pavilion and bandstand, finishing near the same spot.While it costs nothing to join in, those wanting to take part need to register before atending the event – and if its your first parkrun, be sure to take a scannable copy of your barcode.
There is plenty of parking at Hanley Park, and runners of any age can get involved, with no need to be super speedy – just go at your own pace and enjoy the scenery of the park in the meantime.
Central Forest Park – Located in the heart of the city Central Forest Park is a valued green space with facilities for walking, cycling, dog walking and even skating, biking and skateboarding. The car park costs £1.50 for two hours, where visitors can enjoy the parks 49 hectacres, meaning there’s plenty of space away to find a quiet spot and enjoy the fresh air and nature if you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of the park.
As well as Stoke Skate Plaza – Europe’s largest street style skate park – there is also a safari-themed adventure play area and boulders to climb, the lake to walk around and feed the geese, and eagle eyed explorers may even find plant and fish fossils in some of the loose shale.
Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID presents Better World Festival – Better World Festival is a free city centre event which will bring together speakers, activists, pioneers, charities, community groups and everyone with an interest in creating positive change. The festival will see an extensive line-up spanning world music, workshops group exercise classes, panel discussions, meditation sessions, family activities and so much more, designed to inspire new ways of thinking.
With three music stages, a kidzone, two areas hosting an exciting programme of activities focusing on the environment, unity, and wellbeing, two chill-out retreats, a bar area and an artisan market, you’re bound to take something away from this special festival and be inspired, plus, we’ll be launching a number of exciting, sustainable initiatives over the weekend.
Dudson Museum – Hanley’s Dudson Museum forms part of The Dudson Centre, created in 1999 when the original 1809 Dudson Factory site was regenerated. The Museum is housed in their Grade ll listed bottle oven, and on stepping through the oven door you will be immersed in the heritage of the iconic Dudson brand, which was still in production until 2019.
Entry into the museum is free, open Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm. A typical visit takes just under an hour, and there is a well-stocked gift shop selling books and souvenirs, as well as a café on site.
Etruria Industrial Museum – The Etruria Industrial Museum is normally open from 11.00am to 3.30pm on Fridays, but also for five ‘steaming weekends’ a year – one of which falls in the holidays. Shirley’s Bone and Flint Mill is the last remaining operational steam powered potters’ mill in the world. It was built for Jesse Shirley II in 1857 to grind flint, bone and other materials for the pottery and agricultural industries. The mill is being steamed on July 29 from 12.30pm to 4.30pmm with the museum and tea room open from 10.30am. Other attractions are to be announced nearer to the time. Entry to the museum and mill £7.00 per adult, guided tours of the mill £10.00 per adult, under 16s free when accompanied by a paying adult.
The mill was in continuous use until 1972 and when it closed everything was left intact. It was restored by volunteers from 1978 and opened as a working mill in 1990 with the Etruria Industrial Museum being created round it. As all staff are volunteers visitors are advised to check before travelling if planning to go when an event isn’t scheduled as admittance at other times and by appointment are subject to volunteer availability. Please contact 07900267711 or [email protected] to book.
HMV Live and Local – Most Saturdays, HMV in The Potteries Centre plays host to local musicians from across Staffordshire and Cheshire for a free gig for shoppers. The usually 30-45 minute set both offers free entertainment to shoppers, while also providing emerging local talent with a new platform on which to share their music, also allowing them to sell merch in stores and earn some money.
On July 22, Natasha Birks will be playing some acousting songs, with the August line up yet to be revealed. You can follow HMV Hanley on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest free gigs.
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Jump 2 It – Jump 2 It coaching provide trampolining classes for children, adults and those with disabilities in Newcastle, Congleton, Stoke-on-Trent, Biddulph and Cheadle, and on Thursday, July 27 they are holding a free trampolining taster session for people with learning or physical disabilities at The Wallace Centre in Abbey Hulton. Those looking to attend can contact Jenny on 07732814510.
They are also holding some weekly courses which are £30 for five weeks, or £25 if you book before July 9, which works out at £5 per session.
Things to do in and around Newcastle-under-Lyme
Keele Observatory – Founded in 1962 to host a 31cm refractor dating back to 1874, Keele Observatory is open to the public on Tuesday evenings The observatory underwent a significant refurbishment in 2009, and now members of the public can go stargazing and learn all about the equipment, including their 60cm reflector for research.
The observatory is open Tuesday 8pm-10pm, and Saturday 1pm-3pm and is free to everyone with no booking required. Visitors can view celestial objects through the 148-year old 31cm Grubb refractor or 15cm solar telescope (weather permitting), or enjoy a tour of the observatory and meet an astronomer.
Brampton Museum – In the beautiful Brampton Park less than half a mile from the town centre is Newcastle-under-Lyme’s local history museum featuring over 2000 years of Borough history. The Brampton Museum and Art Gallery is free to enter and hosts a number of collections and exhibitions depicting the rich and diverse history of the area. The museum has recently undergone a redevelopment project to make the visitor experience even better, with new galleries telling new stories about local history with an eclectic mix of curious objects and Mrs Mosley’s Parlour – complete with a talking portrait.
Vue Mini Mornings – Vue Cinema host mini morning sessions to give both adults and kids the chance to experience big screen entertainment for a very small price. Mini Mornings are run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day in the school holidays, showing kids movies and new kids films from just £2.49 a ticket for both adults and children. As schedules are only released a week in advance, what films will be showing in the holidays are not yet known, but the weekend of July 2 and 3 was Mummies and My Fairy Troublemaker. You can keep up to date with what’s showing via Vue Mini Mornings.
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Apedale Valley Light Railway – Take a trip to Apedale Country Park and watch the trains on the Apedale Railway without spending a penny – a must for locomotive enthusiasts. If you fancy a short train ride its £4.00 for adults, £2.00 for children, and free for under threes, or there’s a family ticket where two adults and up to four children can enjoy a return trip for £9 in total. All tickets are bought on the day from the station shop with trains running at 11.30am, 12.00pm, 12.30pm 1.30pm and every half hour until 4.00pm. The round trip journey takes around 15 minutes.
On August 12 and 13, there’s a Teddy Bears Outing where little ones can spot the bears on the journey, solve a puzzle and win a prize. Kids with bears (or other furry friends) travel for free for this event. Trains are hauled by either steam or diesel locomotives from the Trust’s collection, depending on the day, and there’s a little shop in the main building if you’d like a souvinir.
Apedale Mining Museum – At the Apedale Heritage Centre, the free mining museum explores the area’s rich industrial and social history through a collection of interesting exhibits. The area’s history can be traced back to the Romans who built a fort and settlement in nearby Chesterton, with Roman displays and an impressive collection of mining artefacts. The collection includes a mine rescue van, a detailed model of a drift mine, tools, mine lamps, maps, photographs and the personal belongings of the miners, and visitors can learn more about three notorious local disasters including the Minnie Pit Disaster.
The Heritage Centre’s site was once a working coal mine and the miner’s cottage offers a fascinating insight into everyday family life in the past. The museum is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm and entry is free, although donations are appreciated.
If you’re looking for something a little extra to do, at weekends the site offer tours of an authentic drift mine, where tours cost £5 for children, £8 for adults, or £22 for two adults and two children. The café is open daily serving hot food and cold snacks if you get peckish too.
Castle Artisan Market -Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Castle Artisan Market runs on the third Sunday of every month. Held on The Stones, visitors can browse approximately 70 independent stalls and benefit from free Sunday parking on all council-run car parks. The successful market has been awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ in the National Association of British Market Authorities awards for bringing increased footfall into the town centre and promoting local makers, bakers and creators. It’s so popular with shoppers and traders alike, that there’s a waiting list of more than 150 businesses waiting for a stall to become available.
Live music and activities for the kids will be put on, including free craft activities by CraftyKidz and a free themed trial around the market area, which when completed, can be handed in for a carton of popcorn or sweets. Greyhound Gap will be running a prize every time kids tombola for £1 per go, and the team are also looking at hosting a kids book and toy swap stall – more on this to come. The next market will be held on July 16, shortly before the summer holidays, followed by August 20, with further details being released via their Facebook page. And much like at Potteries Artisan Market, they often run a giveaway on their Facebook page where the vouchers can be spent on any of the stalls.
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Woore Fruit Farm – Woore Fruit Farm, near Keele, is a beautiful trip out between Spring and Autumn. The farm operates for seasonal fruit picking between May and October, and throught the six week holidays, raspberries, tayberries, blackberries and black or redcurrants, as well as plums and strawberries will be available to pick. Entry to the farm is free, but you pay for your fruit based on the weight of your punnet.
As well as fruit picking there’s a little lake to walk around, some chickens to say hello to, and an abundance of wildflowers to admire. The farm shop offers a selection of produce like fresh eggs, fruit and veg, jams and preserves, and often home-brewed cider, which on my last visit cost me £5.50 for two and a half litres! And don’t forget to visit later in the year for pumpkin picking, too.
Read more: Woore Fruit Farm – strawberry picking, home-brewed cider and fresh flowers
Things to do in Stoke
The Spode Museum Trust Heritage Centre – The Spode Museum is free to enter where guests can learn about the history of the factory, see displays of fine ceramics and archival films. Visitors can also watch demonstrations of transfer printing, hand painting and raised paste gilding and visit the world famous Blue Room, which contains hundreds of blue transferprinted pieces made at Spode between 1790 and 1847. It is almost certainly the largest and most important collection of Blue and White printed ceramics on public display in the world, and it’s right here in Stoke.
Guided tours of the Spode factory site and the Blue Room are available for a small charge, or you can take a look around on your own. The Spode Museum Trust Heritage Centre opened in 2012 in one of the period buildings on the Spode site. It doubled in size in 2016 and expanded further in 2017 with improved visitor facilities, exhibition and gallery spaces and a retail Shop. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10.30am to 4.00pm.
Things to do in Longton
Longton Park – Longton Park, also known as Queen’s Park, is a Grade II listed heritage park in, well, Longton. It’s famous for its trees, horticulture and lakes complete with clock tower, three bowling pavillions and bandstand. It has a very individual character and is one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. It also has skate board facilities including ramps and rails, multi-use sports courts and three newly refurbished tennis courts. There’s a children’s play area for toddlers and another for juniors, two full-sized football pitches, electronic interactive games and fishing facilities controlled by Fenton and District Anglers.
Things to do near Tunstall and Burslem
Westport Lake – Created alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal, Westport Lake is Stoke-on-Trent’s largest expanse of water, consisting of two lakes, and a nature reserve. It was initially developed as a ‘pleasure resort’ by a local farmer but ended up becoming wasteland before regeneration in 1986. It is now run in partnership between Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Stoke City Council, and is a great spot for bird watching, feeding the ducks or going for a walk. There is a parking charge if you’re driving, but the lake is free to visit with a visitor centre that has a cafe offering panoramic views of the water.
Middleport Pottery – Middleport Pottery, situated on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Stoke-on-Trent, was built by Burgess and Leigh in the late nineteenth century. The Grade II* listed Pottery is the UK’s last working Victorian potbank in continuous production. The site is open every day and is free to visit between 10am and 4pm. On your visit, you can take a look in some of the incredible studios now occupied by local, independent businesses, admire the bottle kiln and enjoy a bite to eat from the cafe at the canalside.
Visitors can book onto the heritage trail, which costs £5 for children and £6 for adults. This guided tour includes a look at the heritage offices, steam engine, Grade II listed bottle kiln, bath house and Europe’s largest ceramic design archive, as well as the newly opened regenerated properties on Harper Street. As part of a £2.5 million heritage project, this row of houses have been transformed to recreate what domestic life was like 70 years ago. The houses have furniture and accessories from the 1950s on display, providing unique insight on those who used to live on the street.
Middleport Pottery remains home to world-famous ‘Burleigh’ pottery, and a trip to the shop is always lovely to take a look at their magnificent displays.
Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre – Another fabulous pottery-themed trip is to the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre between Burslem and Cobridge. The centre is home to one of the few remaining Grade II listed bottle ovens, as well as a museum and shop. Entrance to the Moorcroft Museum is free of charge, but there are paid-for guided tours that cost £7.50 for adults and £5 for children that run Wednesday-Friday at 10.45am.
The Museum offers a glimpse into the design history of this unique art pottery. The age of the collection spans over 120 years, including examples of William Moorcroft’s very first creations made during his time at James Macintyre & Co, the ceramic manufacturer who first employed him. What’s more is you can quite literally step inside the Grade II Listed bottle oven, just as potters would have done over a century ago, as they balanced saggars on the heads. The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Tunstall Park – Victoria Park, in Tunstall, is a Grade II listed heritage park in the city, and is home to a historic boathouse, bowls pavilion, clocktower, floral hall and lodge, as well as a much loved bandstand. There’s fishing pegs, a football pitch and children’s play area with outdoor gym equipment and log piles for bug hunting. Nature lovers can go pond dipping, admire the wildflower areas and nature trail, and watch for birds from the many bird boxes and waterfowl on the lake, from mute swan, mallard, coot abd moorhen to the great-crested grebe and goosander.
There is free on-street parking with 24-hour public access to the park, with staff are on site from 7.30am until 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and until 3pm on Friday. Other facilities include a tennis court, skate equipment, basketball courts and multi-sport courts. The park is also part of Robbie Williams’ 40th Birthday Celebration Trail: Robbie used to play a lot of football in the park with his school and friends. A permanent plaque has been situated by the main gates off Victoria Park Road.
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Burslem Park – Burslem Park is a Grade II listed Victorian Park, restored in 2012 to its former glory, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thepark is home to a restored Victorian terrace garden and ornamental fountains, buildings with terracotta period details and a beautiful lake surrounded by pulhamite rockery. Visitors can enjoy playing on the tennis courts, play equipment, skate facilites and playing field, as well as admore the heritage mosaic designed by Rob Turner with local schools and mayfly sculpture by Andy Edwards and Philip Hardaker, which is part of a sculptures trail detailed towards the bottom of this post.
Royal Stafford Cafe – Royal Stafford is based in the Royal Overhouse Manufactory and is one of the oldest pottery factories in Burslem, with the brand being established in 1845. The factory has a lovely Ceramic Cafe where visitors can have a go at decorating their very own, individual piece of pottery. Helpful and friendly staff are on hand to guide you through the process, and you’ll have a maximum of two hours from the start of your reservation slot.
The adult studio fee is £3.00 with children charged at £2.00. Pottery pieces to paint begin at £4.00, so it can cost as little as £6.00 to enjoy this experience. Your piece will be glazed and fired and ready for free collection within a week, or can be posted out for a fee. The cafe is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm – and you can book a slot online here.
Things to do in Kidsgrove
Newchapel Recreation Ground pump track – Last summer the newly-installed £100,000 BMX track was unveiled at Newchapel Recreation Ground. Paid for by Newcastle Borough Council, the facility is suitable for all ages and abilities to use with BMX bikes, rollerblades, scooters, skateboards and even wheelchairs. Free to use, the track features elevated starting platforms and various jumps and obstacles, including berms, rollers, angled rollers, table tops, doubles, a shark fin and a left-handed hip jump. I’m certain that those with scooters and BMX’s will know what that means. You can find Newchapel Rec at ST7 4JH.
Bathpool Park – set in 178 acres of country park, Bathpool offers woodland walks and bridle paths around a main lake and several ponds. The mature trees support a variety of wildlife with various waymarked paths through the area, including an 3.7kn loop trail which takes around an hour and 15 minutes to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, with dedicated cycle routes throughout the park. The best times to visit this trail are March through October, and dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. The car park is free, and there are children’s gym exercise equipment scattered throughout the park, too.
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Things to do in Smallthorne
Ford Green Hall – Ford Green Hall was built in 1624 for Hugh Ford – a yeoman dairy farmer – and is a fine example of a timber-framed farm house. The Ford family lived at the Hall for nearly 200 years, owning 36 acres of land. In the 19th century after the Ford family left the status of the house declined and it was divided into three and later four cottages. Now an award-winning museum, looked after by a charitable organisation led by volunteers and members of the local community, the Hall offers visitors a fascinating insight into the life of the 17th century. The rooms are furnished with an outstanding collection of textiles, ceramics and furniture.
The hall is open Sunday to Thursdya from 1pm to 4pm – last admission to look round the Hall is at 3.30pm. Adult tickets are £5.00 while children aged 5 to 16 cost £4.00. Under fives visit free. There is a shop and tea room open to both visitors and non-museum visitors, and the car park is free. Throughout the holidays there are a number of events running including summer fayres, teddy bear’s picnics, pirate days and a Mad Hatter tea party, which are typically free with the admission fee, but some activities may require a small charge. Find out more on their event list here.
Things to do in Trentham
Trentham Shopping Village – With free parking and almost 80 timber lodges housing shops, cafes and restaurants, Trentham Shopping Village is a fabulous spot to while away a couple of hours. It’s very dog friendly if you want to take the pooch with you too, with dog-friendly spots to grab a coffee, cake or bite to eat. There’s a good mix of independent retailers and big brand names. And with no limit on parking, you can browse at your leisure.
Trentham is also home to Blue Diamond Group’s flagship Garden Centre, which is the UK’s largest indoor and outdoor garden centre with a huge selection of products and plants for the home and garden. The centre is also home to the Terrazo del Giardino Italian restaurant, Caffé Bello and Six Arches Restaurant, too.
Trentham Makers Market – Trentham Makers Market brings together an abundance of the North Wests finest makers, bakers and creators showcasing every third Saturday of the month at Trentham Estate near the Shopping Village. Visitors can expect an array of art, craft, food, drink, coffee, music and street food at the dog friendly event. While their July 15 date falls just outside of the holidays, the next event is held on Saturday, August 19. Again, parking is free so there’s no time limit on your stay, so you can enjoy the shops and garden centre with the market all in one epic day out.
Trentham Gardens Parkrun – If you want to see Trentham Gardens without needing to pay an admission fee, why not sign up to the Trentham Gardens Parkrun? The friendly weekly 5k community event takes place every Saturday at 9am, meeting at Trentham Gardens at Trentham Estate. While free to join, be sure to register ahead of the event and bring a scannable copy of your barcode, ready to walk, jog, run or spectate the event. Runners of any age can take part for their own enjoyment, whatever their pace, and enjoy a coffee at The Rotisserie with the other participants after.
The course is accessed via a footbridge close to Trentham Garden Centre, and all participants must exit the Gardens at the end of parkrun, however the lap does take you around Trentham Lake and through the famous Italian Gardens, which is really stunning and totally worth it.
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Things to do in Barlaston
Wedgwood Cricket Club – Got a sports nut at home, or fancy letting the little ones get stuck into a new activity? Wedgwood Cricket Club are running junior cricket sessions every Friday evening through the summer holidays for £3 per child.
Founded in 1942, Wedgwood Cricket Club are members of North Staffs and South Cheshire Cricket League, Stone and District League and the South Moorlands Junior Cricket League and welcome new members looking to play cricket in a friendly, safe and scenic environment. The junior training sessions run from 6pm to 8pm each week at Wedgwood Sports Ground and are open to ‘all ages’. Find out more about the sessions here.
World of Wedgwood – From Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, visitors can take a look around the V&A Wedgwood Collection at World of Wedgwood. Booking isn’t necessary and entry is free. The collection is one of the most important industrial collections in the world and is owned by the V&A following a successful fundraising campaign, showcasing a unique record of over 260 years of British ceramic production.
There is a free family trail that will help you and your family explore the Collection, and access all of the shops, including Josiah and Co, which is home to a curated selection of local, independent businesses. There is also the Earth and Ware exhibition of galleries bursting with flowers created by the public, complete with trail to discover objects inspired by nature and wildlife. A complementary programme of events for all ages ‘digs deeper into questions of climate change and sustainability in the ceramics industry today.’
The centre is running free activities outdoors this summer for families each Friday from July 28-September 1 where you can make anything from recycled birdfeeders and bug hotels to windchime crafting and happy hedgehogs. Or on Wednesdays there are free creative craft activities in the museum inspired by the Georgian era running from 10am-2pm. Find our more about what’s on during the holiday’s at World of Wedgwood here.
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Things to do in Biddulph and Mow Cop
Biddulph Fun Day -Hosted by the community group Friends of BRIC, Biddulph Fun Day is typically held on a Saturday at the end of July – we’ll update with a confirmed date as and when it’s released. The event is held on the Church Road playing fields, and is free to attend. There will be a number of activities that cost a small fee on the day, including a fun fair, dog show, community stalls and face painting. There will be all the fun of the fair with a dance display and custom cars to have a look at, making it a vibrant event for the whole family.
Shakes on the Rocks – Shakes on the Rocks, is a self-service milkshake machine that opened in April 2022. Visitors can pay £2 for a large glass bottle to fill with milk for an additional £1.50, or one of five different flavours of milkshake for £2. Alternatively, there are cups where a milkshake will cost just £1.50 in total, and can be enjoyed on one of the picnic benches with panoramic views of the Staffordshire Moorlands. Flavours include strawberry, chocolate and banana, as well as weekly changing specials like white chocolate, blueberry muffin, creme egg and salted caramel.
There is a small amount of parking a handful of seating and the vending machines are card payments only. There is also a coffee machine if people prefer a hot drink, as well as a new ice cream machine. Shakes on the Rocks is open seven days a week from 7am to 11pm, you can find updates on what the limited edition flavour of the week is here.
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Biddulph Grange Country Park – Originally part of the larger Biddulph Grange Estate, Biddulph Grange Country Park is a 73 acre site that offers you the chance to explore a historic landscape as laid out by its Victorian and early 20th century creators. Biddulph Grange has been Grade 1 listed since 1984, and the Country Park forms part of that listing. The main pool is an outstanding feature at the centre of the site with a fully restored 1904 stone boat house, and Grade II listed ornamental bridge on the Himalayan walk in the park. There are fishing permits for the central lake, which is also perfect for a circular walk through the spring wood and open meadows.
The park includes 450 metres of the Obelisk Walk up a a steeply-rising linear walkway that forms an optical illusion of a stone obelisk against a dark sky when viewed from the gates at the end of Wellingtonia Avenue in the Biddulph Grange gardens. There is a cave at the end of the walkway that appears at the top of the obelisk, too. Another fun fact is that the 100 year old hydroelectric scheme was reinstated at the visitor centre in the turn of the millenium, providing sustainable power for local use. Biddulph Grange Country Park can be used as a starting point for the following self guided walks, with a cafe for a coffee and cake, with loos open from 7am to dusk. Parking is ample, and free, and the park is a popular haunt for dog walkers.
Knypersley Reservoir – Knypersley Reservoir sits in Greenway Bank Country Park, just south-east of Biddulph. Knypersley Reservoir was built in 1827 to supply Caldon Canal, but the woodland is ancient. There is a small, free car park where you can usually get a space, but on a sunny Saturday, you may be better parking on the roadside which overlooks the water. There are lots of geese, ducks and the odd swan you can feed lakeside by the car park.
Knypersley Reservoir is popular with dog walkers, fishermen and the general public due to its stunning historical features. The circular waterside walk is around two miles long, but there are lots of paths to explore. The country park spans 114 acres, filled with woodland and secret waterfalls. Children will love discovering the ‘castle’ – a three-storey gothic tower built in 1828 by John Bateman as a gamekeepers house and watch tower – and the waterfall, which is signposted. The top of the waterfall is on the level of the footpath, and you can splash about in the calm water at the top in a pair of wellies.
Mow Cop Castle – Mow Cop Folly – also known locally as Mow Cop Castle – is owned by the National Trust, and makes up part of the Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside, offering breathtaking 360 degree views across Staffordshire and Cheshire. It’s a relatively steep climb up to the folly if you’re walking, but it is clearly labelled with a National Trust sign from the road, so is easy to spot. Alternatively, there is a free car park.
Mow Cop Folly was originally built as a summerhouse in 1754, by Randle Wilbraham, who was local Lord of the Manor at Rode Hall. Made of hard sandstone grit, it sits at 355m above sea level, with the highest point being the mock tower. The iconic building is a major local landmark of regional importance. It was deliberately designed to look ruined, to create a romantic view – and the family also entertained at the site. Om a clear day, you’ll be able to see ships on the Manchester Ship Canal, as well as Jodrell Bank and Little Moreton Hall. The views are absolutely incredible, so there’s no wonder you’ll often find people pitched up for a picnic when the weather is nice.
Additionally, there’s a walking trail you can follow from the folly, which takes between 20 and 40 minutes, covering around a mile. The access is described as ‘challenging’ as it can be quite rocky underfoot. The walk is described on the National Trust website, and takes you around the castle, then to go and see the Old Man o’Mow, which is an interesting rock formation that looks like an old gentleman. You can also walk to Mow Cop Methodist Church if you’re looking for a longer stroll.
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Things to do in and around Leek
Sunday Supplement – In collaboration with Totally Locally, the Leek Sunday Supplement market is held on the first Sunday of every month, so will see markets on August 6 and September 3 in the holidays. The award winning market is extremely popular, with up to 80 stalls featuring handmade artisan products and local food. Many of Leek’s independent shops, cafes and pubs open for the day adding a lovely lively vibe to the market. High Street car park is free on Sundays, and there are plenty of gifts, treats and bakes priced below £5, so you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy yourself.
Tittesworth Water – On the edge of the Peak District National Park, near Leek, you’ll find Tittesworth Water – a reservoir is owned by Severn Trent which makes for a fun day out for all the family. The scenic drive to the stunning Staffordshire location is almost as tranquil as Tittesworth itself, with views of the Moorlands for miles. Parking is £3 for up to two hours, or £5 for all day, and is open 7am – 9pm April to September – there are some cash only machines, but the odd one where you can pay on card.
The reservoir was built in 1858 and supplies homes and businesses in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent. It pumps on average 28 million litres of water a day and has the capacity to provide up to 45 million litres a day. The wildlife-rich habitat has a number of trails to follow, including 1k, 2.75k, 4.5k and 7.5k, and can be found here.
The Churnet trail is my favourite, through lush woodland, wild rhubarb and cow parsley, with a small stream that kids and dogs can take a supervised dip in to cool off. This trail also sees two boardwalk bridges and a meadow of buttercups overlooking the reservoir. There are plenty of places to take a break on the trails, and a picnic spot near the visitor centre, and a stall to get ice cream, too.
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Rudyard Lake – Rudyard Lake provides some of the most dramatic scenery to be found in the Staffordshire Moorlands and over 500,000 visitors come to the shores each year. The Lake covers some 168 acres and is over 2.5 miles long, prime for a walk or taking part in some water-based activities. The Lake was built as a reservoir in 1797. and still supplies the canal system for which it was designed, remaining an active working reservoir. Interestingly the Lake is the place where Jungle Book writer Rudyard Kipling’s parents first met, where Captain Webb, the first channel swimmer, came to demonstrate his skills and where The African Blondin – Carlos Trower – appeared several times amazing the crowds 30m above the Lake on a tightrope.
On Saturdays and Sundays boat trips run every hour from 1pm to 4pm, weather permitting. You do not need to buy tickets in advance, and instead just ask at the Ranger’s office or look out for the sign on the pontoon steps which will have details about the next trip. Adult tickets cost £6 each while children’s cost £3, working out at £4.50 each on average. Following the retirement of the lake’s previous boat, Honey, the new Trip boat finally arrived in 2021. The Frolic-31 Edwardian styled counter stern launch was made by Landamores of Norwich and is helping keep a 150-year-old tradition alive at Rudyard.
Leek and Rudyard Railway – Located at Rudyard Station in the North Staffordshire Peak District, Leek and Rudyard Railways offers a picturesque 45 minute trip around Rudyard Lake. The railway is 10.25 inch gauge which is equivalent to half size Narrow Gauge, and runs every day in the summer holidays no matter the weather, due to covered coaches. Tickets are purchased on the day with the Ticket Office opening 15 minutes before departure. Trains will run hourly from 11pm to 4pm on most days, but during busy periods trains will depart as soon as full to meet demand.
The railway has a ticket office located on Platform 1 at Rudyard Station, but you can also board the train at The Dam and Hunthouse Wood and buy tickets from the guard – these tickets are cash only due to poor mobile reception. The 45 minute return journey costs £5.50 for adults and £3 for children. There are toilets available on Platform 2 for train and cafe customers. Learn more about the railway and departure times here.
Things to do near Stafford and Cannock
Gentleshaw Wildlife Park – This Eccleshall-based centre has been running since the early 1990s, founded by the late Rob Smith, who rescued birds on prey and various other animals. Opening to the public in 1993, Gentleshaw started as a home for just a few unwanted animals and birds, but the centre soon began to take in more and more rescued animals. It’s now home to more than 150 mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, many of which are rescues or rehomes. There is also a small bird of prey hospital on site where the team of volunteers rehabilitate wild, injured birds of prey, though their patients are not on view.
The sanctuary is open every day in the holidays from 11am to 3.30pm, closing at 4pm. Admission to the wildlife centre is £5.00 per adult and £4.00 for children with under threes going free. An activity pack for children costing £1.00 is also available, which they can complete this whilst they are visiting the centre. There is a tearoom, miniature train, garden centre and playground and mini golf, so you can spend a nice afternoon here, though some activities may come at an extra charge.
The birds are flown, weather permitting, at 2pm on weekends and school holidays from February to October, but if you particularly want to see the birds flying, please call the sanctuary first as times and availability may vary.
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Amerton Farm – Amerton Farm, at Stowe by Chartley, Stafford, has plenty to see and do in lovely surroundings. The farm animals include cows, pigs, horses and ponies, sheep, alpacas, chickens, ducks, donkeys and reindeer and are all housed in a purpose built building and paddocks behind Billy’s Farm Barn. The outdoor only price is £8.99 for children, £3.99 for under twos and free for children under six months old. Accompanying adults are priced at £5.99 and the car park is free. This fee includes the sand pit and air bouncers, Billy’s animal barn and paddocks, tractor and trailer ride and a wristband where you cen leave and eturn during the same day as many times as you wish.
They have a range of activities happening throughout the year, such as lamb bottle feeding, chick hatching, calf bottle feeding, meet the rabbits and more – you can feed the animals with carrots too. The Farm Shop offers a range of jams, preserves and pickles, but they also have locally produced wine and their own Amerton Farm beer, as well as Amerton Farm ice cream. Find out more about the farm here.
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Stafford Castle – On August 12-13, Stafford Castle will be invaded by a Viking hoard. Setting up their village and carrying out their day to day activities, cooking, weaving, leather work and other daily chores. Word has it there might be some battles higher up on the castle site as they defend their new found lands. Event admission is free, but if you are driving to the site to park, the charge for the day is £5.
The castle was first built by William the Conqueror and has dominated the Stafford skyline for over 900 years. The site itself extends to over 26 acres and consists of Keep, which is open to the public during visitor centre opening hours, inner bailey, outer bailey, woodland, herb garden, visitor centre and car park. There is no charge for the car park, but there is a donation box on site. You can find out more about the events here.
The Beach Hut – The Beach Hut is a fun indoor play centre and children’s party venue packed to the rafters with entertainment for all children up to the age of 11 years. Located next do the Turf Lodge Toby Carvery in Norton Canes, Cannock, the multi-tiered soft play centre provides a fun and stimulating play environment with dedicated play areas for babies, toddlers and juniors.
Entry for babies aged 0 to 6 months costs 50p, with babies up to 11 months costing £1.50. Those aged one to 11 years cost £5.60, and spectators over 11, and adults are priced at £1.50 each. This means a family of two adults and two children would cost £14.20 in total. The Beach Hut is open 9.30an to 6pm on weekdays during the school holidays, besides the first Monday of the month when they are closed for a deep clean. Weekends see the play centre open from 10am to 5.30pm – last admission is one hour before closing. There’s also a café is situated within the play centre allowing you to enjoy food and drinks whilst being able to see your children play.
Cannock Chase Forest – Cannock Chase Forest is a great value day out in the Midlands offering hours upon hours of exploring. there’s a childnre’s play area, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, meaning you’ll never find yourself stuck for something to do. There are a range of woodland walks to suit all ages and abilities, and for those wanting to explore the forest on two wheels, make sure to check out the cycling trails for some of the best family and mountain biking opportunities.
There’s a Gruffalo trail too, which is free to do – or add to the fun with a specially designed activity pack for £3.50, which can be bought from the cafe, welcome point and Go Ape. Parents can download the new Gruffalo Spotter 2 app for free before you visit the Chase, then use it bring the characters from the story to life, via Augmented Reality. The paid-for activity pack, should you choose to purchase one, contains a Gruffalo mask and paws, activity leaflet, crayon and pencil, nature spotters game and instructions and some stickers. The trail starts at Birches Valley Forest Centre, to the left of the Go Ape hut. You can find more activities at Cannock Chase here.
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Things to do near Lichfield
National Memorial Arboretum – This 150-acre visitor site on the edge of the National Forest welcomes 300,000 visitors each year – including royalty for events like Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday, a summer proms and Armed Forces Day. The UK registered charity is part of the Royal British Legion, and offers free entry from 10am to 5pm year-round. Visitors can enjoy discovering almost 400 memorials nestled amongst some 25,000 trees, experience riverside walks and participate in a wide variety of daily activities: guided walks, land train tours, memorial talks, exhibitions and buggy tours.
Althought the visit is free, you do have to pay between £4-6 to park and book a slot online, and there are currently spots available up until November. The Arboretum say ‘don’t be scared to take a closer look at the memorials you find’ – you can get really up close and personal to discover their smallest details. Visitors can wander and explore at leisure, or purchase a guide book for a small fee at the welcome desk, which includes further stories and a map.
Running throughout the holidays there are a number of free activities for children. The description reads: “In collaboration with Wild Rumpus, The New World is an extraordinary interactive experience that draws inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Arboretum and the powerful stories of service and sacrifice we share.” Find out more here.
Dogs are allowed at the Arboretum and they’re able to sit outside the coffee shop, with a limited number of indoor tables made available for pet owners. Younger visitors may enjoy the Children’s Sensory Play Garden, which can be found near to the Remembrance Centre. A second children’s play area, with a picnic area, is near to the Children’s Wood. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, but it can’t be eaten at the restaurant.
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Lichfield Cathedral – Lichfield Cathedral is free to enter from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 12.30pm to 4.30pm on Sundays – but over the holidays, they also have some fabulous events on. Families can visit a beach 100 miles from the sea every day between Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, September as an exciting programme of events suitable for all the family launches at the historic venue. There are also drop in craft and water sessions running from 10am-12pm Monday to Friday.
Things to do across the city
Sculptures Trail – There’s a huge sculpture trail of 40 instillations across the city, including Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Longton, Fenton, Stoke and Trentham. There’s an online guide where you can spend the whole day following the trail or navigate each bite sized cluster at your leisure. It’s been designed so you can explore the artworks in geographical areas or dip in and out of three distinct themes: Inspirational, Great People and Local History. For ease of this guide, we’ve split it between the geographical clusters.
The City Centre has the largest cluster of public artworks, 18 in total, so you can shop, have a coffee and take in some great art at your leisure. Some of the sculptures include ‘Her Head’ and Sir Stanley Matthews, as well as the Pithead Wheel, Tree Stories, The Spirit of Fire – also known as the Spikey Man – and Josiah Wedgwood. The guide details exactly where to find these pieces, as well as who created them and a little bit about the piece – and chances are you’ve walked past most of them without even batting an eyelid before. After the trail, you’ll never be able to miss them again!
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The trail continues in Stoke with a further eight sculptures to discover, with three in Fenton and Longton and one in Trentham. Trentham’s only sculpture included in the trail is inside the gardens, so it’s worth ticking this one off by signing up for the parkrun above – else you’d have to pay the entrance fee to find it. Tunstall is home to four sculptures on the trail, while in the Mothertown of Burslem, there are a further six artworks, such as the Angel of Victory, which is rumoured to be at the heart of Robbie Williams’ song Angels. There are also sculptures of Port Vale footballer Roy Sproson, Sir Henry Doulton, and Burslem Park’s The Mayfly Throne. Discover the rest of the trail online here.
It’s worth noting that some of the sculptures are currently ‘missing’ including the Potteries Pyramid and Josiah Wedgwood head.
Things to do in Cheshire
Glebe Farm – Glebe Farm, in Astbury, Congleton, is a small farm with its own little shopping village, farm shop and menagerie of animals. Open seven days a week, the farm is free to visit and also allows well behaved dogs on leads. Parking is also free. At the Glebe Farm shop, you can purchase animal feed and carrots for the residents, which include goats, ponies, sheep and donkeys, as well as alpacas, chickens, ducks and geese. There is also a small indoor enclosure which is home to a 37-year-old Shetland pony, and two pigs who were surrendered after being bought as micro pigs, but got pretty big!.
You don’t have to spend any money if you don’t want to – thanks to a fairly new free play area – but they do have ice cream for £2-3 a pop, and often have activities like mini go-karts going on too.
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