Stoke travel guide — Stoke tourism and travel information

Stoke travel guide

about Stoke

The city of Stoke-on-Trent (also known as The Six Towns, and The Potteries) is a sprawling conurbation in The Midlands, United Kingdom.

Stoke-on-Trent is situated almost equidistant to all the major cities in the North/Midlands of the UK (Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Liverpool, Sheffield). The town is named after Stoke, one of its districts.

The city runs into Newcastle-under-Lyme, which is administratively separate. Together they form a conurbation with a population of over 350,000.

Unlike most English districts, its council is led by a directly-elected mayor, currently Mike Wolfe, an independent. It is the only one of the eleven English districts with elected mayors to use the mayor and council manager system rather than the mayor and cabinet system.

Stoke sights

Stoke-on-Trent is home to two Football League teams, Stoke City F.C. (the Potters), whose ground is in Stoke, and Port Vale F.C. (the Valiants) based in Burslem.

Stoke-on-Trent has a reputation of being something of a "studentville", and with good reason. Stoke-on-Trent College has two sites, one in Burslem and the main centre in nearby Shelton. The Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College is based in Fenton, while Staffordshire University has one site based in Shelton (the other is in Stafford). The city centre is also popular with students from Keele University.

Nightlife has boomed in recent years, with Hanley becoming increasingly popular for its nightclubs, pubs and restaurants. Nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme also has plenty to offer in that respect.

If you fancy a bit of shopping then try Hanley, with the Potteries Shopping Centre and plenty of major high street stores. Indulge in the city's past with a visit to one of its many museums, including the newly opened Ceramica in Burslem.

Stoke history

The Federation of the Six Towns brought together the boroughs of Hanley, Burslem, Longton and Stoke, together with the districts of Tunstall and Fenton as the single county borough of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910. Stoke-on-Trent was officially granted city status in 1925.

Although the city is named after Stoke, and the City Council is located there, conventionally the City Centre is regarded as being in Hanley. Its county borough status was abolished in 1974, and it became a district of Staffordshire. It was restored as a unitary authority independent of Staffordshire on April 1, 1998.

Since the 17th century the area has been almost exclusively known for its pottery manufacturing, with such world renowned names as Royal Doulton, Spode, Wedgwood and Minton being born and based there. Lesser known is the locally-loved Potteries Oatcake (very different from the Scottish version), whose fame has yet to travel outside of North Staffordshire.

In recent years Stoke-on-Trent has been hit hard by the general decline in the UK manufacturing sector, with numerous factories and potbanks being closed. This has resulted in a sharp rise in unemployment in the semi-skilled workforce.

The fortunes of the city seem however to be on the brink of changing, with the city shrugging off its undeserved image of an industrial northern hellhole - several service sector companies have established there (notably, the Caudwell Group), and new business parks are promising to bring new economic life to the city.

The motto of Stoke-on-Trent is Vis Unita Fortior which can be translated as: United Strength is Stronger, or Strength United is the More Powerful.

Near cities to Stoke

• Lichfield travel guide 41 km
• Wolverhampton travel guide 45 km
• Derby travel guide 47 km
• Derby travel guide 47 km
• Salford travel guide 53 km
• Chester travel guide 54 km
• Manchester travel guide 56 km
• Birmingham travel guide 60 km
• Sheffield travel guide 62 km
• Nottingham travel guide 67 km

Near webcams to Stoke

• Cheshire webcam 37 km
• Manchester 1 webcam 52 km
• Manchester 2 webcam 52 km
• Ashton-under-Lyne webcam 54 km
• Birmingham - Pebble Mill webcam 62 km
• Birmingham - Bull Ring 1 webcam 62 km
• Birmingham - Bull Ring 2 webcam 62 km
• Birmingham - Bull Ring 3 webcam 62 km
• Nottingham - East Midlands webcam 66 km
• Nottingham - London Road webcam 67 km

back to top

Stoke travel services

cheap flights to Stoke

• book cheap flights to Stoke »
• book cheap flights to United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Stoke, cheap flights Stoke, also available cheap airline tickets to United Kingdom and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Stoke deals also available.

cheap Stoke hotels

• book cheap hotels to Stoke »
• book cheap hotels to United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Stoke, United Kingdom hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Stoke hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Stoke vacations

• book Stoke vacations »
• book United Kingdom vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Stoke, United Kingdom vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Stoke vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Stoke

• book cheap car rental in Stoke »
• book cheap car rentals in United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Stoke, car hire in United Kingdom and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Stoke car hire deals also available.

Stoke travel insurance

• Stoke cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Stoke, accident health Stoke travel insurance, all using our online Stoke travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in United Kingdom. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Stoke real estate

• Stoke real estate guide »
• real estate listings in United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide comes with Stoke real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Stoke property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in United Kingdom, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Stoke.

back to top

Stoke travel books

Stoke travel guide books

• Stoke travel guide books »
• United Kingdom travel guide books »

Stoke maps and atlases

• Stoke maps and atlases »
• United Kingdom maps and atlases »

back to top