šŗ #1 We Make the Best Pots in the World. End of
Wedgwood, Spode, Burleigh, Emma Bridgewaterā¦ our pottery industry remains the envy of the world, and shows like The Great Pottery Throw Down have helped put our fabulous ceramics back on the map. Weāre chuffed to see brands like Sipp of Stoke coming through, too, and new places to throw a pot like Kiln At Number 12 at Longton Exchange, where you can also grab oatcakes, milkshakes and more.
š„ #2 Itās Home to the Mighty Oatcake
Iām yet to meet someone who doesnāt like an oatcake but have come across plenty of former residents who stock up with as many as possible when they swing by for a visit. When I lived overseas, my mum would bring four dozen in her suitcase and Iād be happy for a few weeks averaging four a day. But why is it that non-Stokies donāt understand what you put on an oatcake? Cheese and bacon - classic. Any breakfast item - go ahead. Honey? Noooo, youāre not eating a crepe or a pancake! My husband once put pĆ¢tĆ© on them. I didnāt dare tell my family. Who are your favourite oatcake makers? I love Biddulph-based Poveyās and Foley Oatcakes in Longton.
šāāļø ā½ļø š“āāļø #3 Our Sporting Prowess
The first-ever recipient of the Ballon d'Or in 1956, Hanleyās Sir Stanley Matthews is Stokeās most iconic sporting figure and spent 19 years at Stoke City, helping the club win the Second Division title in 1932ā33 and 1962-63 in his 30-year career.
Widely considered as the greatest darts player ever, Burslem-born Phil Taylor and lifelong Vale fan has won 16 World Championships and 84 major titles.
Stone-based canoeist Joe Clarke became the first-ever British Olympian in the sport with a gold medal in the slalom in 2016 at Rio and he also scooped a silver in the menās kayak cross event at Paris 2024. Several other Stoke and Staffs residents took medals in Paris this year, including Uttoxeterās Adam Peaty (silver, breaststroke) and Newcastleās Dan Bigham (silver, menās Team Pursuit cycling). Lichfieldās Sophie Capewell took gold in the Womenās Track Team Cycling Sprint and Trentham-based Adam Burgess got a silver medal in the menās slalom event. And Sir Lee Pearson is a 14-time Paralympic Games gold medallist having represented the British para-equestrian team in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio, and Tokyo.
š¢ ā²ļø#4 Weāve Got Some Top Tourist Attractions
Home to more than 40 white knuckle rides including Nemesis and Oblivion as well as the only CBeebies Land, Alton Towers is the largest theme park in the UK and was recently ranked Eighth Best Theme Park globally by TripAdvisor (thereās a new ride coming in 2025, too). Trentham Gardens and the adjoining Monkey Forest are other big tourist draws, as is the SnowDome and Drayton Manor. Ceramics-led attractions include World of Wedgwood, Spode Museum and Gladstone Pottery Museum.
š¬š§ #5 Weāre Close to Most Places in the UK
Okay, so we may be landlocked but living in the Midlands does have its advantages. Need to get to Manchester? No problem. Want to go over to the Peaks? Sorted. Got a meeting in London? Thereās a direct train from Stafford to Euston that takes one hour 18 minutes. My fave is a return ticket from Stoke to beautiful Chester for Ā£14.70.
šļø #6 There Are Some Great Developments Afootā¦
As weāve reported before, Goods Yard is set to transform Stoke, with 170 apartments, work spaces, shops, bars, outdoor areas and gardens poised to open early next year. Capital&Centric also plans to reimagine Brutalist concrete structure Midway Car Park in Newcastle into 100 one-to-three bed apartments plus a gym, mini-cine and lounge. Stoke Station, meanwhile, is set to debut new carriageways and footpaths, cycle lanes and upgraded bus stops in June 2025 along with a revamped look. Plans are afoot to breathe new life into Newcastle and revitalise Hanley, while The Future High Streets Fund has refurbished the Market Square in Stafford is set to turn the old Co-op Department store into a food court, shops and apartments.
š± š®#7 The Food Scene is Picking Up
In the last few months, weāve seen Hanley openings from iso (Japanese) and Fiesta (Mexican), with AprĆØs opening in December in Leek, which will serve a tasting menu only. Plus we have FEASTEDās recent announcement itās moving to another, bigger location and its bi-monthly food festival to look forward to! Letās not forget some old favourites for special occasions like Lunar, No 26 at Aston Marina and Duck Goose.
šæ #8 Great Countryside and Canals
From Victorian treasures like Biddulph Grange and Longton Park to the wild appeal of The Roaches and Barlaston Downs, we are surrounded by a diverse range of countryside. And as Paul Williams recently reported in this recent feature for The Knot, our canals provide a blissful escape from everyday life. This gorgeous mural by Rob Fenton near Middleport provide even greater reason to seek them out, whether youāre heading out for a walk with a friend or going for a run.
š§āš¤ #9 In a Word, Robbie
At one point, our Rob was the highest-paid entertainer in the world. Heās sold over 77 million records and holds the Guinness World Record for the most concert tickets (1.6 million) sold in one day. Heās proud of his roots, having played gigs at his beloved Vale Park and Robbieās tattoos include a Staffordshire Knot and Burslem Coat of Arms. His semi-autobiographical film, Better Man, is released on Boxing Day in the UK (watch the official trailer here). More good news ā Robās got some UK tour dates coming up in 2025: catch him at Edinburghās Murrayfield Stadium (31/05); London Emirates Stadium (06/06); Co-op Live (11/06) and Bath Royal Crescent (13/06) before a date at Dublinās Croke Park (23/08). Buy tickets here from 15/11.
š #10 We Have Some Cool Local Brands
Staffordshireās biggest creative department store, Keep it Local, popped up at the Potteries Centre last month and eatures the work of more than 200 local makers. It will be there ātil Christmas Eve (stores in Newcastle and Longton too). You can shop for oatcake and pikelet mix from The Staffordshire Oatcake Company (a great pressie for Stokies whoāve relocated), Stokie homeware from Moorland Pottery and cute jewellery pieces from Two Green Giraffes plus plenty more. Shout out to The Knotās Unsung Hero, Anya Parker James, and her sustainable fashion brand, too!
Join the conversation and let us know what makes you proud to be a Stokie! Whether itās a much-loved oatcake shop, your favourite place to go for a Sunday morning walk, or a community group thatās made a difference to your life, weād love to hear about it!
Love this, it's a time of renewal for Stoke
But alas, no more Minton and other once great pottery firms.