Behind the Scenes: Exclusive Tours and Talks at Stoke-on-Trent's Heritage Festival
Stoke-on-Trent, a city steeped in industrial history and creative heritage, opens its doors to the public during the Heritage Open Days. This annual event allows visitors to delve into the past, exploring the city's historical landmarks and hidden gems. Here's a chronological guide to the fascinating events awaiting you in this city of heritage:
Gladstone Pottery Museum
- Date: September 8, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 17:00
- Location: Gladstone Pottery Museum, Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ
- Details: Experience the conditions of workers in the pottery industry. Explore the Tile Gallery and the 'Flushed with Pride' gallery dedicated to the history of toilets.
Secret Museum (Evening Reception)
- Date: September 8, 2023
- Time: 17:00 to 20:00
- Location: Winkhill Mill, Swan Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7RH
- Details: Informal early evening reception and drinks event. Explore historic and contemporary tiles, technical drawings, and archive films.
Secret Museum (Shared Stories)
- Dates: September 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2023
- Times: Various (see original message for details)
- Location: Winkhill Mill, Swan Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7RH
- Details: Explore historic and contemporary tiles, technical drawings, and archive film. Curated by artists Danny Callaghan and Craig Peebles.
Secret Museum (Virtual Tour) - online
- Date: September 8, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 11:30
- Details: Join a virtual tour of the hidden gem at Winkhill Mill. Guided by artists Danny Callaghan and Craig Peebles.
The Last Bottle Ovens and Ceramic Kilns of Longton
- Date: September 9, 2023
- Time: 11:00
- Location: Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW
- Details: Illustrated talk about the surviving bottle ovens and kilns in Longton.
St Bartholomew's Church Norton-le-Moors
- Date: September 9, 2023
- Time: 12:00 to 16:00
- Location: 144-150 Norton Lane, Norton-le-Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 8BY
- Details: Explore this Grade II* listed church with outstanding views. Learn about its history, and bell ringing, and see various features.
Stoke Minster
- Date: September 9, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 14:00
- Location: Glebe Street, Stoke on Trent, ST4 1LP
- Details: Guided tours of the church and churchyard. Demonstrations of church bell ringing.
Bethesda Chapel
- Dates: September 9 and 16, 2023
- Time: 12:00 to 15:00
- Location: Bethesda Chapel, Albion Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1QF
- Details: Explore this chapel with religious and architectural significance, founded in 1797.
The Potters Cathedral
- Date: September 9, 2023
- Time: 11:00 to 15:00
- Location: St Marks Parish Church, Snow Hill, Hanley, ST1 4LT
- Details: Creative heritage activities, talks, tours, and exhibitions to celebrate St Mark's church.
Shirley’s 1857 Potters’ Mill in Steam, Stationary Engines and Classic Vehicles
- Dates: September 9 and 10, 2023
- Time: 11:00 to 16:30
- Location: Etruria Industrial Museum, Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4RB
- Details: Experience vintage stationary engines and classic cars. Witness the mill in steam, operating as in Victorian times.
The World of Wedgwood, Barlaston
- Dates: September 9 and 16, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 16:00
- Location: World of Wedgwood, Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER
- Details: Accessible family entertainment and activities in the galleries of the V&A Wedgwood Collection.
The Dudson Centre in Hope Street Hanley
- Date: September 10, 2023
- Time: 10:30 to 14:30 (tours at 11:00 and 13:00)
- Location: The Dudson Centre, Hope Street, Dudson Museum, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5DD
- Details: Explore the Dudson Centre with guided tours available. No booking is required for entry.
Ford Green Hall
- Date: September 10, 2023
- Time: 11:00 to 15:30
- Location: Ford Green Hall, Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, ST6 1NG
- Details: Explore Ford Green Hall and engage in various historical activities.
Moorcroft – A Heritage Art Pottery
- Dates: September 13, 14, and 15, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 16:30 (Tours 10:30 to 14:30)
- Location: W Moorcroft Ltd, Sandbach Road, Moorcroft, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2DQ
- Details: Visit one of the finest examples of a living heritage art pottery. Enjoy self-guided tours and live demonstrations.
Unpacking the V&A Wedgwood Collection: Behind the Scenes tours
- Dates: September 13 and 14, 2023 at 10:30 am; September 15, 2023 at 14:30
- Location: World of Wedgwood, Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent ST12 9ER
- Details: Guided tour of the collection storage to learn about caring for the collection and the creativity behind the objects.
The Creation of the Trentham Landscape - Brown and Barry and A N Other
- Date: September 15, 2023 at 19:30
- Location: Trentham Parish Church, Park Drive, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8AB
- Details: Local historian Jon Heal will give an illustrated talk on the evolution of the Trentham Gardens landscape.
Guided Walk: Explore the history of Ilam Park
- Date: September 15, 2023, from 13:00 to 15:00
- Location: National Trust, Ilam Park, Ilam, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2AZ
- Details: Explore the history of Ilam Park with a guided walk.
Herbert Minton Building Open Day
- Date: September 16, 2023 from 11:00 to 16:00
- Location: 79 London Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QE
- Details: Visit the iconic Herbert Minton Building, built in the 1850s, and enjoy family fun activities and presentations.
Trentham - A Celebration of Colour and Creativity
- Date: September 16, 2023 from 11:00 to 16:00
- Location: Trentham Parish Church, Park Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AB
- Details: Discover Trentham’s creative past through displays, films, demonstrations, and exhibitions.
The West End Methodist Church and the History of London Road
- Date: September 13, 2023 from 11:00 to 14:30
- Location: West End Methodist Church and Community Centre, 405 London Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5AW
- Details: Learn about the local history of Stoke and London Rd, covering past and present.
Middleport Pottery
- Dates: September 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2023
- Time: 10:00 to 15:00
- Location: Port Street, Reform Heritage, Stoke-On-Trent, ST6 3PE
- Details: Explore the heritage of Middleport Pottery, including its unique features and archives.
Living Heritage City Trail
- Dates: Available at any time throughout the week (links available on September 8, 2023)
- Location: Starts at Spode Works, Elenora Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1BS
- Details: Explore Stoke-on-Trent as a Living Heritage City with a new trail between Stoke and Hanley.
Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains Church
- Dates: September 17 and 18, 2023 from 12:00 to 15:00 (talks at 13:00)
- Location: 106 Hartshill Rd, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7LT
- Details: Visit this historic Catholic Church with a beautiful interior and learn about its history.
Salt, Pepper and Vinegar Bottle Ovens
- Date: September 15, 2023, from 13:00 to 16:00
- Location: James Kent (Ceramic Materials) Ltd, Fountain Street, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2HB
- Details: See the three bottle ovens known locally as Salt, Pepper, and Vinegar up close.
Phoenix Works
- Date: September 16, 2023 from 10:00 to 14:00
- Location: 500 King Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1EZ
- Details: Explore the unique bottle ovens at the Phoenix Works with local experts and the building's owner.
The Evolution of the Heritage Development Trust
- Date: September 12, 2023 from 18:30 to 19:00
- Location: The Canal Warehouse at Etruria Industrial Museum, Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4RB
- Details: Learn about Heritage Development Trusts and their role in conservation and regeneration.
The History of Grinding
- Dates: September 13, 2023 at 19:00; September 14, 2023 at 14:30
- Location: The Canal Warehouse at Etruria Industrial Museum, Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4RB
- Details: Explore the history of grinding materials and its significance, especially in the pottery industry.
The Stoke-on-Trent Schools of Art
- Date: September 16, 2023 from 14:00 to 15:30
- Location: Redemption Community Hub, Herbert Minton Building, 79 London Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QE
- Details: An illustrated talk reviewing the six schools of art which used to exist in Stoke-on-Trent.
Historic Longton Walk
- Date: September 8, 2023 at 14:00
- Location: Gladstone Pottery Museum, Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ
- Cost: Free
- Details: Explore Longton's industrial history, landmarks, and remaining bottle ovens with local historian Phil Rowley.
Hanley Heritage Tour
- Date: September 9, 2023 from 11:00 to 15:00
- Location: Hanley Park
- Cost: Free
- Details: Guided walk starting from Hanley Park, covering 2.5 miles with stops for talks and refreshments. Includes visits to St Mark's Church and Shirley's Mill in Steam.
Stoke Minster
- Date: September 9, 2023 from 10:00 to 14:00
- Location: Stoke Minster (St Peter ad Vincula), Glebe Street, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1LP
- Cost: Free
- Details: Guided tours of the church, churchyard, and demonstrations of church bell ringing. Light refreshments are available.
Exploring Hugh Henshall's Longport
- Date: September 10, 2023 at 10:00
- Location: Longport Station, Station Street, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4ND
- Cost: Free
- Details: Guided walk focusing on sites and buildings associated with surveyor Hugh Henshall and his influence on The Potteries during the Industrial Revolution.
Exploring William Baker's Fenton
- Date: September 11, 2023 from 11:00 to 15:00
- Location: Fenton Town Hall, 1 Albert Square, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 3FA
- Cost: Free
- Details: Guided walk around Fenton, highlighting community buildings created by industrialists William Baker and William Meath Baker.
Tea with Arnold Bennett
- Date: September 15, 2023 at 13:30
- Location: Middleport Pottery, Port Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3PE
- Cost: Free (Fully Booked)
- Details: Afternoon talk with archive screen sequences led by Ray Johnston. Features Middleport Pottery's role in Arnold Bennett's novel "Anna of the Five Towns."
This extensive lineup promises a journey through time, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Stoke-on-Trent. From pottery museums to churches, from hidden gems to historic walks, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Don't miss this chance to step back in time and uncover the stories that shaped this remarkable city.
