This directory details all of the registered events taking place within Stoke-on-Trent during the Heritage Open Days festival between the 12th and 21st September 2025. Click on the Heritage Open Days logo for more information.

15 Bottle Ovens Built in the City

Sun, 21/09/2025 - 10:00

Calcing Ovens at Cliffe ValeThe Canal Warehouse at Etruria Industrial MuseumPHS logo
Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4RB

Sunday 21st September

10:00

Of the 50 surviving bottle ovens in Stoke-on-Trent, only 15 were built since city status was granted in 1925. As part of our city's Centenary Celebrations, this talk and short walk takes a closer look at those built in the past 100 years, their architecture and the features which set them apart from their earlier counterparts. The event is scheduled alongside the open day at Etruria Industrial Museum's Victorian Potters's Mill and "Power in The Potteries: Energy Exhibition".

Booking: Pre-book online:  potteries.org.uk/15-bottleovens-bookHODs Page Link

Website: potteries.org.uk

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair AccessRefreshmentsArchitecture themeBottle Oven Theme

A Century of Land Reclamation in Fenton

Tue, 16/09/2025 - 11:00

Smithpool Park

PHS logoMeet outside Fenton Town Hall, Albert Square, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 3FA

Friday 13th September

11:00-13:30

A guided walk exploring the heritage of Fenton's beautiful green spaces. Discover the hidden history that lies beneath the area's parks and green spaces. Following the decline and closure of collieries there were large areas of derelict land in Fenton. Thanks to the foresight of radical thinkers in the 1960s, many of these sites were transformed into the beautiful green spaces we have today. Fenton now has the most parks and green spaces of any of the six towns. This event is co-ordinated by Potteries Heritage Society and has been updated from last year's "Green Historic Fenton" as part of the City of Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary Celebrations. Refreshments available before the event in the cafe at Fenton Town Hall.

Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/century-reclamation-fenton

HODs Page Link

Website: potteries.org.uk

Special Event for HODsAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyRefreshments

A Walking Tour of Arnold Bennett's Burslem

Fri, 19/09/2025 - 14:00

The Market Place Café, 8A Market Place Burslem
Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4AT

Friday 19th September

14:00

A walk around Burslem to heritage buildings featured in the novels of Arnold Bennett, and on which we have mounted blue plaques. At each stop there will be readings featuring the building we have arrived at. The walk will include references to the Federation of the Potteries in 1910 and the subsequent City status.

HODs Page LinkBooking: Pre-booking required - details to follow.

Website: arnoldbennettsociety.org.uk

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAssistance dogs welcomeAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair AccessRefreshmentsArchitecture theme

Architecture of Potteries Ovens

Sat, 13/09/2025 - 14:00

Architecture of Potteries Ovens

Redemption Community Hub, Herbert Minton Building, 79 London Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QE

Saturday 13th September

14:00

A talk looking at the various types of ovens and kilns which were used in our area for the firing of tableware, tiles and bricks, and calcining kilns used for the manufacture of flint and bone ash as raw materials. The industry had grown complacent in its use of cheap and easily-available coal as a fuel until the great London smog of December 1956 led to the introduction of the Clean Air Act 1956, which required smokeless firing after a seven year transition period. This was probably the gravest crisis which the ceramics industry had had to face for at least a century. There will also be opportunity to see exhibitions from a few other countries whose nationals use the Redemption Community Hub, focusing on architecture, food and faith.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Website: rccglivingwater.org/general-4

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingAccessible toiletsDisabled parkingFull Wheelchair AccessPram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture themeBottle Oven Theme

Arnold Bennett Dudson Heritage Walk in Hanley

Thu, 18/09/2025 - 14:00

Arnold Bennett Statue

The Dudson Centre, Hope StreetDudson Museum, Hanley, ST1 5DD
 
Thursday 18th September
 
14:00

The Arnold Bennett Society in collaboration with The Dudson Centre, a guided walk by qualified Green Door guide Mervyn Edwards. Involving a good number of Bennett and relevant local-history locations - including other local writers and personalities. Starting at Hope Street, along Foundry Street, Trinity Street, Gitana Street, Brunswick Street, Pall Mall and Piccadilly arriving at the Arnold Bennett statue outside the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

Booking: Pre-book online: ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/stoke-on-trent/the-dudson-centre/arnold-bennett-dudson-heritage-walk-in-hanley/2025-09-17/14:00/

Website: dudsonmuseum.vast.org.uk

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsFull Wheelchair AccessRefreshmentsArchitecture theme 

Bethesda Chapel

Sat, 13/09/2025 - 12:00

BethesdaBethesda ChapelAlbion Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1QS

Saturday 13th September
Saturday 20th September

12:00 to 14:00

An opportunity to look at the chapel once known as The Cathedral of the Potteries. It has an unusual and interesting architecture and is believed to have had the largest span of any chapel outside London at the time it was built. There will be a display of historic photographs and an exhibition of stories of local men who fought in the first world war. The organ will be played at intervals throughout the open day.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Website: bethesda-stoke.info

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteBaby change facilitiesAssistance dogs welcomeAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair AccessPram Pushchair FriendlyPram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture theme

Bethesda Chapel

Sat, 20/09/2025 - 12:00

BethesdaBethesda ChapelAlbion Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1QS

Saturday 13th September
Saturday 20th September

12:00 to 14:00

An opportunity to look at the chapel once known as The Cathedral of the Potteries. It has an unusual and interesting architecture and is believed to have had the largest span of any chapel outside London at the time it was built. There will be a display of historic photographs and an exhibition of stories of local men who fought in the first world war. The organ will be played at intervals throughout the open day.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Website: bethesda-stoke.info

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteBaby change facilitiesAssistance dogs welcomeAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair AccessPram Pushchair FriendlyPram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture theme

Bottle Oven Facts

Fri, 12/09/2025 - 09:00

Bottle Oven Facts

29 bottle oven sites. See interactive map (link is external).

Anytime during the festival

Potteries Heritage Society is opening up a wealth of information about bottle ovens. Each of the 27 bottle oven sites in Stoke-on-Trent will feature a QR code link to Bottle Oven Facts, as well as further information about bottle oven types. Over 40 pages of "Bottle Oven Facts" have been created to fit the screen of your smart phone or tablet, including all sites, oven types, locations and interactive maps.

HODs Page LinkBooking: Not required
 
Special Event for HODsAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture themeBottle Oven Theme

Bottle Oven Facts

Mon, 15/09/2025 - 09:00

Bottle Oven Facts

29 bottle oven sites. See interactive map (link is external).

Anytime during the festival

Potteries Heritage Society is opening up a wealth of information about bottle ovens. Each of the 27 bottle oven sites in Stoke-on-Trent will feature a QR code link to Bottle Oven Facts, as well as further information about bottle oven types. Over 40 pages of "Bottle Oven Facts" have been created to fit the screen of your smart phone or tablet, including all sites, oven types, locations and interactive maps.

HODs Page LinkBooking: Not required
 
Special Event for HODsAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture themeBottle Oven Theme

Bottle Oven Facts

Sun, 21/09/2025 - 09:00

Bottle Oven Facts

29 bottle oven sites. See interactive map (link is external).

Anytime during the festival

Potteries Heritage Society is opening up a wealth of information about bottle ovens. Each of the 27 bottle oven sites in Stoke-on-Trent will feature a QR code link to Bottle Oven Facts, as well as further information about bottle oven types. Over 40 pages of "Bottle Oven Facts" have been created to fit the screen of your smart phone or tablet, including all sites, oven types, locations and interactive maps.

HODs Page LinkBooking: Not required
 
Special Event for HODsAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyArchitecture themeBottle Oven Theme

Pages

 


During Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary Year, the Heritage Network is co-ordinating Heritage Open Days in Stoke-on-Trent with support from the City Council and funding from the Heritage Fund. Thanks to players of the National Lottery.