0211 travel stoke on trent england

 

Stoke-on-Trent, in the heart of England, has a reputation in the country for poverty, but Stokies are incredibly proud of their heritage.

It’s the birthplace of R.J. Mitchell, the man who designed the Spitfire, one of the most successful British fighter planes of World War II. A Spitfire made in 1945 sits in the Potteries Museum. Despite its name, the museum doesn’t specialize in pottery but has lots of info about Stoke-on-Trent’s history. Here, you can look back at the Kingdom of Mercia, the biggest kingdom of England in the eighth century.

Stoke-on-Trent is well known for its pottery, and you can learn more about that at the Gladstone Pottery Museum. You’ll spot the distinctive shape of the kilns — called “bottle ovens” — from a mile away.

Next, it’s a visit to Trentham Estate, once a grand “country house” — the British term for a large mansion owned by a rich family. But it was demolished in the early 20th century. Today, it has seen a lot of renovation and its gardens are a lovely walk.

A nice half-day trip is Lichfield Cathedral, about an hour away. This centuries-old[LT1]  cathedral is one of the country’s most important heritage buildings[LT2] . A standout attraction is the stained-glass windows in its Lady Chapel. They were first installed in 1803.

A little further southeast, you’ll find Tamworth Castle. The current castle dates back to the 10th century, and has seen its share of turmoil. Today it’s a museum, open to all. Learn about the castle’s ties to Vikings, Anglo-Saxon kings and William the Conqueror. Its 15 fully furnished rooms take you back into an era of battles and feasts.              (T)

 

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 [LT1]Sidebar of Wikipedia entry: Years built: c. 1195-1340

 [LT2]According to its Wikipedia entry, it’s “a Grady I listed building” — i.e. a building “of exceptional interest”: Lichfield Cathedral - Wikipedia