Staffordshire Tourist Information

Let us help you plan your ideal vacation in Staffordshire...

Staffordshire, a county of two halves in the heart of England possessing undulating countryside, forests and moors and a rich industrial heritage with a fascinating history. Visitors to this region will never be disappointed.

However, like most industrial centres of Britain, this area has undergone dramatic changes in the last few decades helping it to restore much of its rural beauty.

Most people would think of North Staffordshire as an industrial centre based on coal mining and its world-famous pottery industry (hence the area is known as 'The Potteries').

A one time industrial area producing coal, steel and pottery which gave rise to it being known as 'The Potteries', Stoke-on-Trent has several industrial heritage museums including the Gladstone Pottery Museum. This is a working museum where visitors can see pottery being produced as it was traditionally, except that the bottle kilns can no longer be fired with coal so the pottery is fired in electric kilns.

Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Photo: Val Vannet

Surrounded by pleasant countryside containing several attractive historic houses and crossed by various canals, Stoke-on-Trent is a modern city providing an ideal base from which to explore. Nearby to the west and south are the market towns of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stone and Eccleshall. On the outer western boundary of this area, just inside the Shropshire border lies Market Drayton, 'Home of Gingerbread'.

Manifold Valley - Photo: Cathy Cox Manifold Valley. Photo: Cathy Cox

Also in the north of the county are the high Staffordshire Moorlands, adjoining the Peak District, and containing such delights as Dove Dale and the Manifold Valley, seen here from the mouth of Thor's Cave. The old track-bed of the Leek & Manifold Valley Railway, which closed in 1934, is now a tarmac path/cycleway. Bring your own bikes or hire them locally!

Here the visitor will find many small attractive villages with buildings of local stone and a variety of countryside from rolling pastures to wild and windswept moorland. The main town of the area is Leek, once a textile centre and now famous as the home of the Britannia Building Society.

An early 19th century Gothic mansion in the small village of Alton, built for the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury and set in grounds landscaped by 'Capability' Brown, is now in ruins but it now has far more visitors than ever envisaged by its creator for it is now known to every youngster in Britain - Alton Towers! Undoubtedly one of the major 'days-out' attractions of the country, this theme park offers something for all members of the family - terrifying white-knuckle rides, gentle rides for young children, cinemas, boating on the lake, or just the gentle stroll through the still magnificent gardens.

South Staffordshire, including the county town of Stafford, is considered as foreign parts for some of those from the north of the county. Its landscapes and attractions are totally different and becoming increasingly popular as a tourist area. The nearby Lichfield Cathedral dates back over 1300 years and is home to the annual Lichfield Arts Festival.

For families, Amerton Farm & Craft Centre provides interest and entertainment in all weathers. Open Easter - Christmas.

Stafford, itself, is a bustling town which still retains its individuality with many local traders as well as the usual nationals. It has some interesting architectural features including the Ancient High House, tallest timber-framed town house in England and built about 1595.

Stafford Town Centre - Photo: Val Vannet Stafford Town Centre Photo: Val Vannet

If you are looking for accommodation, first choose the type you require:

   Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

   Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

   Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

   Boating and Sailing Holidays

Please note that if you are wanting to stay in an apartment, some may be listed as "Aparthotels" in the Hotels section. These tend to offer more services than a normal apartment, eg restaurants, bars, and "Reception" staff more associated with hotels. Normal apartments are listed in Self-Catering.

If you are planning a holiday in a static caravan or mobile home, these should be listed in the Self Catering section.

Don't forget we offer lots of information on Activities, Attractions and Travel to help you plan your vacation.

Tourist Information Centres

BURTON-UPON-TRENT
The Visitor Centre, Horninglow Street, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1NG
Tel: 01283 508111    Fax: 01283 517268
E-mail: tic@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

CANNOCK
The Museum of Cannock Chase, The Valley Heritage Centre, Valley Road, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS12 5TD
Tel: 01543 877666    Fax: 01543 462317
E-mail: museum@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

LEEK
1 Market Place, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5HH
Tel: 01538 483741    Fax: 01538 483743
E-mail: tourism.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

LICHFIELD
Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6NE
Tel: 01543 308209   Fax: 01543 308211
E-mail: info@visitlichfield.com

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME
Newcastle Library, Ironmarket, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1AT
Tel: 01782 297313    Fax: 01782 297322
E-mail: tic.newcastle@staffordshire.gov.uk

STAFFORD
Market Street, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2LQ
Tel: 01785 619619    Fax: 01785 619134
E-mail: tic@staffordbc.gov.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE TOURISM
Staffordshire Tourism Development Services, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 2LQ
Tel: 01785 277397    Fax: 01785 215286
E-mail: joanne.lloyd@staffordshire.gov.uk

STOKE ON TRENT
Victoria Hall, Cultural Quarter, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3AD
Tel: 01782 236000    Fax: 01782 236005
E-mail: stoke.tic@stoke.gov.uk
Web: www.visitstoke.co.uk

TAMWORTH
Town Hall, Market Street, Tamworth, B79 7LR
Tel: 01827 709581
E-mail: tic@tamworth.gov.uk

Useful links

Alton Towers

Newcastle Borough Council

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Leek Online

www.audley.net - A community site with lots of information about the village and its neighbours.

Serviced Accommodation & Self Catering Accommodation convenient for Alton Towers

Lichfield International Arts Festival

Carol Howard's World of Dance, Drama and Visual Art!

From Bellydancing to visual art, Carol usually has lots going on in Stoke on Trent and across North Staffordshire!

Staffordshire Tourist Information

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc. Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc. Camping and Touring Caravan Sites Boating and Sailing Holidays

Tourist Information Centres

Useful links

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

Boating and Sailing Holidays