Stoke-on-Trent

Get around

thumb | 300px | Staffordshire plate made in 1992 Place names in Stoke-on-Trent can be confusing for the newcomer. The six original towns that federated to form the modern-day conurbation city formed in 1925 continue to have their own identity, giving it a polycentric nature. Thus, asking for directions to the "city centre" may be regarded with bemusement by locals. The commercial centre of Stoke-on-Trent is Hanley, as well its administrative one having previously been Stoke-upon-Trent or just Stoke, where the railway station is located. Roadsigns to the "City Centre" point to Hanley.

See

thumb | 300px | Restored bottle kilns Stoke-on-Trent is historically renowned for its pottery industry (hence its nickname of The Potteries). Although the industry has suffered from cheap foreign imports and is now in decline, many of the major manufacturers of high-quality pottery still have headquarters in the area including Wedgwood. There are numerous factory shops dotted around the city, including the Potteries Shopping Centre, in Hanley.

Do

thumb | 300px | Statue in Trentham Gardens Stoke-on-Trent has a thriving gay community and the city centre features several bars and nightclubs aimed at gay and lesbian individuals. The Three Tuns and the adjoining The Club are two of the most renowned gay venues in the city along with Bar Monique. They are east of Hanley Bus Station travelling towards Bucknall. Other bars and clubs include Pink Bar and Lounge, Number 3, Blush Cabaret Bar and the Waterboard.

There is a large purpose-built skateboarding park at Forest Park.

Buy

The main shopping facilities are to be found in Hanley the City centre of Stoke-on-Trent. One would be able to find the usual high street stores and include the second largest Primark in the United Kingdom. The main shopping attraction for Stoke-on-Trent is the factory shops of the pottery companies. Portmeirion, Wedgwood and Emma Bridgewater continue to manufacture pottery in the city, and the factory shops can offer heavy discounts on what will be called "seconds" goods, that often have only very minor defects that are frequently very difficult to tell from the main shop goods. Otherwise, shopping is not something for which many would come to Stoke-on-Trent. The city centre of Hanley offers nothing that cannot be found elsewhere, although it still offers a wide range of stores which would fulfil the needs of most in need of supplies.