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.

ARNOLD BENNETT - Dudson Museum "Just Across the Road"

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 10:00

The Dudson Centre, Hope StreetDudson Museum, Hanley, ST1 5DD
 
Saturday 19th September
10:00 to 14:00 - presentations at 11.00am and 1.00pm

The Arnold Bennett Society at the former Dudson Pottery, which is just across the road from Arnold Bennett's birthplace. A day of displays, discussion, presentations and screenings featuring Bennett's writings on Stoke, its folk and its industry. Function room for Discussions and screenings in the function room. There are performance areas and seating in the courtyard itself. On the first floor of the main building is an atrium area featuring a permanent display on Bennett created by the Arnold Bennett Society. Two performances of "Tea with Arnold Bennett" performed by Ray Johnson in the Café - 11.00am and 1.00pm - Bennett's relationship with the Potteries in his own words from his essays, journals, short stories and novels.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Bethesda Chapel

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 12:00

BethesdaAlbion Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1QSBethesda Chapel

Saturday 12th September
Saturday 19th September

12:00 to 14:00

An opportunity to visit Bethesda Methodist Chapel, once known as the Cathedral of the Potteries. This beautiful Grade II* listed building seated up to 2500 people in its heyday, making it the largest place of worship in North Staffordshire. Re-Form Heritage / Friends of Bethesda guides will be available to share the history of the building and discuss future plans. The building is currently undergoing a phase of repair works so this is also a chance to see what has been done.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Website: bethesda-stoke.info

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteAssistance dogs welcomePartial Wheelchair Access

Bronze Age Gold - The Ellastone 'Fastener'

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 14:00

Christchurch Fenton

PHS logoPotteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street
Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW

Saturday 19th September

14:00

Join us for a free, expert talk on the the 'Ellastone Fastener' and other Bronze Age treasures by Dr Neil Wilkin of the British Museum. In 2023 a metal detectorist discovered a rare, Bronze Age treasure near to the village of Ellastone, Staffordshire. The find belongs to a rare category of item, known as 'dress fasteners', although their actual use is debated. The ‘fastener’ was the first of its type to be found in Staffordshire, and only the 7th across England, representing a pinnacle in Bronze Age gold work. Join Dr Neil Wilkin from The British Museum to discover how the fastener was uncovered, and what we can learn about its history and construction.

Booking: not required

HODs Page Link

Website: stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/

Special Event for HODsRefreshments

Chatterley Whitfield and Colliery Tours

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 10:00

Chatterley WhitfieldChatterley Whitfield FriendsChatterley Whitfield Enterprise Centre
Biddulph Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 8UW

Saturday 19th September
Sunday 20th September

Tours 10:00-16:00   Max 30 per tour

The Chatterley Whitfield Colliery site is acknowledged to be the most comprehensive surviving example of a deep mine site in England, with a range of surviving structures and buildings unequalled in any other former or surviving coalfield site in Britain. Not usually open to the public, this free guided tour by Chatterley Whitfield Friends will allow you to appreciate the splendid array of buildings on-site, which makes Chatterley Whitfield so unique. There is no underground access, but there is limited access to site buildings subject to the approval of the City Council. The new Heritage Centre, new Memorial Garden and Artefacts Hall will be Open. Access will be very restrictive.
 

HODs Page Link

Special Event for HODsNot Usually Open to the PublicOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsFull Wheelchair AccessAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyRefreshmentsArchitecture theme

Chatterley Whitfield and Colliery Tours

Sun, 20/09/2026 - 10:00

Chatterley WhitfieldChatterley Whitfield FriendsChatterley Whitfield Enterprise Centre
Biddulph Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 8UW

Saturday 19th September
Sunday 20th September

Tours 10:00-16:00   Max 30 per tour

The Chatterley Whitfield Colliery site is acknowledged to be the most comprehensive surviving example of a deep mine site in England, with a range of surviving structures and buildings unequalled in any other former or surviving coalfield site in Britain. Not usually open to the public, this free guided tour by Chatterley Whitfield Friends will allow you to appreciate the splendid array of buildings on-site, which makes Chatterley Whitfield so unique. There is no underground access, but there is limited access to site buildings subject to the approval of the City Council. The new Heritage Centre, new Memorial Garden and Artefacts Hall will be Open. Access will be very restrictive.
 

HODs Page Link

Special Event for HODsNot Usually Open to the PublicOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsFull Wheelchair AccessAssistance dogs welcomePram Pushchair FriendlyRefreshmentsArchitecture theme

Discover Moorcroft Pottery - Handcrafted Exclusively in the UK Since 1913

Tue, 15/09/2026 - 10:30

Moorcroft DemonstratorW Moorcroft Ltd, Sandbach RoadMoorcroft
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2DQ

Friday 11th September              Wednesday 16th September
Monday 14th September           Thursday 17th September
Tuesday 15th September          Friday 18th September
 
10:30-16:30 each day        Factory tours 10:30-14:30

Discover how a heritage art pottery operates – from design and shape creation to surface decoration – and meet the skilled workers who have spent decades mastering their craft. Visit our historic factory, purpose built by William Moorcroft in 1913. More than a century later, the building remains at the heart of Moorcroft, with William’s grandson, Will Moorcroft, now proudly leading the company into its next chapter. Explore our Heritage Visitor Centre and see inspiring new designs, alongside our new Moorcroft Home collection – a stylish new way to bring Moorcroft artistry into every room, with beautifully crafted tea towels, tote bags and more – all of which are made in Staffordshire.

Booking: not required but preferred, please call 01782 820500 or email mhvc@moorcroft.com

HODs Page Link

Website: moorcroft.com

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair Accessbottle oven theme

Discover Moorcroft Pottery - Handcrafted Exclusively in the UK Since 1913

Wed, 16/09/2026 - 10:30

Moorcroft DemonstratorW Moorcroft Ltd, Sandbach RoadMoorcroft
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2DQ

Friday 11th September              Wednesday 16th September
Monday 14th September           Thursday 17th September
Tuesday 15th September          Friday 18th September
 
10:30-16:30 each day        Factory tours 10:30-14:30

Discover how a heritage art pottery operates – from design and shape creation to surface decoration – and meet the skilled workers who have spent decades mastering their craft. Visit our historic factory, purpose built by William Moorcroft in 1913. More than a century later, the building remains at the heart of Moorcroft, with William’s grandson, Will Moorcroft, now proudly leading the company into its next chapter. Explore our Heritage Visitor Centre and see inspiring new designs, alongside our new Moorcroft Home collection – a stylish new way to bring Moorcroft artistry into every room, with beautifully crafted tea towels, tote bags and more – all of which are made in Staffordshire.

Booking: not required but preferred, please call 01782 820500 or email mhvc@moorcroft.com

HODs Page Link

Website: moorcroft.com

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair Accessbottle oven theme

Discover Moorcroft Pottery - Handcrafted Exclusively in the UK Since 1913

Thu, 17/09/2026 - 10:30

Moorcroft DemonstratorW Moorcroft Ltd, Sandbach RoadMoorcroft
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2DQ

Friday 11th September              Wednesday 16th September
Monday 14th September           Thursday 17th September
Tuesday 15th September          Friday 18th September
 
10:30-16:30 each day        Factory tours 10:30-14:30

Discover how a heritage art pottery operates – from design and shape creation to surface decoration – and meet the skilled workers who have spent decades mastering their craft. Visit our historic factory, purpose built by William Moorcroft in 1913. More than a century later, the building remains at the heart of Moorcroft, with William’s grandson, Will Moorcroft, now proudly leading the company into its next chapter. Explore our Heritage Visitor Centre and see inspiring new designs, alongside our new Moorcroft Home collection – a stylish new way to bring Moorcroft artistry into every room, with beautifully crafted tea towels, tote bags and more – all of which are made in Staffordshire.

Booking: not required but preferred, please call 01782 820500 or email mhvc@moorcroft.com

HODs Page Link

Website: moorcroft.com

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair Accessbottle oven theme

Discover Moorcroft Pottery - Handcrafted Exclusively in the UK Since 1913

Fri, 18/09/2026 - 10:30

Moorcroft DemonstratorW Moorcroft Ltd, Sandbach RoadMoorcroft
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2DQ

Friday 11th September              Wednesday 16th September
Monday 14th September           Thursday 17th September
Tuesday 15th September          Friday 18th September
 
10:30-16:30 each day        Factory tours 10:30-14:30

Discover how a heritage art pottery operates – from design and shape creation to surface decoration – and meet the skilled workers who have spent decades mastering their craft. Visit our historic factory, purpose built by William Moorcroft in 1913. More than a century later, the building remains at the heart of Moorcroft, with William’s grandson, Will Moorcroft, now proudly leading the company into its next chapter. Explore our Heritage Visitor Centre and see inspiring new designs, alongside our new Moorcroft Home collection – a stylish new way to bring Moorcroft artistry into every room, with beautifully crafted tea towels, tote bags and more – all of which are made in Staffordshire.

Booking: not required but preferred, please call 01782 820500 or email mhvc@moorcroft.com

HODs Page Link

Website: moorcroft.com

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteOnsite parkingDisabled parkingAccessible toiletsPartial Wheelchair Accessbottle oven theme

Everyday Lives of Potteries People

Wed, 16/09/2026 - 14:00

Everyday lives of Potteries PeopleThe Dipping House, Spode Works, PHS logo
Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1BU

Wednesday 16 September

14:00

Join Phil Rowley to explore the lives of Potteries folk in the 1930s. The presentation will cover employment in the area's major industries, working conditions, industrial diseases and mining disasters. It will look at home life during the interwar period including housing, family sizes and health, and explore the way people in the early 20th Century relaxed and took their holidays. 

Booking not required

Website: potteries.org.ukHODs Page Link

Special Event for HODsToilets on siteDisabled parkingAssistance dogs welcomeAccessible toiletsFull Wheelchair AccessRefreshmentsEveryday Histories

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.