Read our guide to budget days out in Staffordshire Moorlands, and keep the children entertained…
Itinerary:Three Days of Creativity & Wellbeing in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent
Find your calm and creativity
Escape the everyday and immerse yourself in three unforgettable days where creativity, culture and wellbeing come together. From the world-famous pottery heritage of Stoke-on-Trent to the peaceful landscapes of the Staffordshire Moorlands, this itinerary invites you to slow down, reconnect and discover experiences that nourish both mind and body.
Here we have curated an itinerary which will help you to navigate through the City of Stoke-on-Trent and the wilderness of the Moorlands. Try your hand at pottery, explore award-winning museums, indulge in luxurious spa experiences, embrace open-water swimming, discover inspiring art workshops, and unwind amongst spectacular countryside.
Whether you're looking for a restorative short break, a creative getaway or simply time to recharge, Staffordshire offers the perfect blend of inspiration and relaxation.
Day One
Discover the Creative Heart of The Potteries
Why not start your journey at the award-winning World of Wedgwood, where over 260 years of craftsmanship continues today. Watch skilled artisans at work on a factory tour of the famous jasperware, browse the V&A Wedgwood Collection, and unleash your own creativity in the Decorating Studio or Pottery Throwing experience before enjoying lunch or a traditional afternoon tea served on iconic Wedgwood china.
Delve into rustic living and decadent cakes, a visit to Emma Bridgewater Factory is a must. Here you can decorate your own piece of Emma Bridgewater pottery, browse the colourful collections, enjoy homemade treats, and special experiences in the café.
To soak up pottery heritage, continue your journey with a visit to Gladstone Pottery Museum, the UK's last complete Victorian pottery now preserved as a museum or call into Middleport Pottery, home of Burleigh since 1889, where traditional craftsmanship continues using time-honoured techniques. Both house nostalgic bottle ovens that once graced the skylines of Stoke-on-Trent and are now iconic monuments to the potteries' past.
Emma Bridgewater Factory - explaining the process to a mum and son
Day Two
Reconnect with Nature in the Staffordshire Moorlands
Leave the city behind and head into the spectacular landscapes of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Start your morning with an invigorating open water swim at Field Head Farm, Peak Swims Wild Swimming or Tittesworth Water Sports where peaceful surroundings offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. Suitable for beginners and experienced swimmers alike, beautiful countryside settings provide a truly refreshing well-being experience. Adventurous visitors can also pre-book paddleboarding, archery or raft building through C2C Outdoors.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch in nearby Leek or stop for afternoon tea at one of the area's welcoming tea rooms before unwinding.
As evening falls, the moorlands offer numerous options to find a cosy spot in a traditional pub like the Lazy Trout or The Roebuck, both featuring a local vibe and homemade dishes. Alternatively, for an extra special experience, enjoy luxury at the 3AA rosette Plumicorn Restaurant, which offers views of the Staffordshire countryside, or dine canal side at Thom Bateman restaurant, listed in the Michelin Guide.
Day Three
Run wild with nature and creativity
Spend your final day embracing creativity in one of Staffordshire's most inspiring settings.
Book onto an art workshop at Bullclough Art School, nestled within the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands countryside. Whether you're discovering painting for the first time or developing existing skills, expert tuition and stunning surroundings make this an unforgettable creative experience. Courses range from one-day introductions to immersive multi-day workshops. Or discover independent makers at places such as Stockton Brook Studios, Foxlowe Arts Centre, or plan your trip to meander a local market in Leek.
For those who prefer to explore outdoors, hire bicycles from Manifold Cycle Hire and follow the traffic-free Manifold Trail through some of Staffordshire's most peaceful scenery. Prefer two feet on the ground, stunning walks around the picturesque lakes of Rudyard and Tittesworth, or, for a more challenging climb, tackle the Roaches, with popular spots such as Hen Cloud and Lud’s Church eager to be explored.
The Manifold Track, a favourite for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, follows the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys from Waterhouses to Hulme End. The track is surfaced and fairly level throughout its length, making it ideal for wheelchair users, those with buggies or prams and people with limited mobility.
More to Explore
If time allows or looking to extend your stay, Stoke-on-Trent and the Staffordshire Moorlands have plenty more to discover. Consider visiting the historic towns of Cheadle and Biddulph, each rich in unique heritage. Enjoy a ride on the Churnet Valley Railway, where you can experience a traditional steam locomotive, and stroll along the canal that once served as a busy route in the potteries' transportation network, now a tranquil waterway ready for exploration.
Shopping is abundant in the area, with pottery shops ready to supply pieces for your collection back home. Most factories feature a seconds shop offering bargains from brands such as Portmeirion, Moorland Pottery, or T&G Green Co. Alternatively, visit Trentham Shopping Village for a wide variety of stores, or head to Getliffe’s Yard in Leek for a charming shopping and dining experience.
Leek is perfect for antique enthusiasts, featuring speciality stores and antique shops tucked away on side streets; you’ll have plenty of options to explore.
Flowers and blooms are abundant in North Staffordshire, which boasts gardens with impressive collections. Biddulph Grange, a National Trust garden, features the world's largest Stumpery, an iconic Chinese garden, and a Geology Gallery. Their dahlia displays are particularly stunning in August. Rode Hall showcases a beautiful display of snowdrops in early spring and offers year-round gardens within its Grade II-listed grounds. Trentham Gardens is known for its Italian formal gardens and Capability Brown landscape design, while Dorothy Clive features a 15-acre hillside garden with distinct zones, including water features and a laburnum arch that shouldn't be missed!
Whether you're seeking inspiration, relaxation or simply somewhere new to discover, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent offer the perfect escape where creativity and wellbeing naturally come together.
Trentham Estate - Spring Bulb Festival display
Before heading home, enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea at Hetty's Tea Shop or Ramblers Retreat, reflecting on a weekend filled with creativity, wellbeing and unforgettable landscapes.
An attractive heritage building converted into a café and gift shop situated alongside the Caldon Canal, Hetty’s is a beautiful tea shop serving delicious home cooked food.
Why not stay?
Whether you're looking for indulgence, adventure or excellent value, Staffordshire offers accommodation to suit every style of break.
Stoke-on-Trent enjoys a regular rail service to/from London (90 minutes), with train journeys to/from International Airports at Manchester and Birmingham taking around 60 minutes.
The M6, which runs through the county North to South, has junctions for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme (15 & 16), Stafford (13 & 14) and Cannock (11 & 12).
The A50 route runs East to West across the county, linking with the A38 for Burton upon Trent, Lichfield and Tamworth, past Uttoxeter before merging with the A500 in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
For more information on the Staffordshire Moorlands, things to do, places to stay and events visit Discover the Staffordshire Moorlands or email tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
