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.

Gladstone Pottery Museum

Fri, 18/09/2026 - 10:00

Gladstone

Gladstone Pottery Museum, Uttoxeter Road
Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1PQ

Friday 18th September

10:00 to 17:00

Visit the only complete Victorian pottery factory from the days when coal burning ovens made the world's finest bone China. Gladstone Pottery Museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of Stoke-on-Trent, famously known the world over as The Potteries. Experience what conditions were like for the men, women and children who worked at the centre of the world’s pottery industry. Visit the Tile Gallery featuring one of the best decorative tile collections in the country and ‘Flushed with Pride’ a remarkable gallery dedicated to the history of the toilet. A fun noisy, touchy feely display, kids will love it!

Booking: not required

Website: stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm

In the Footsteps of Palaeontologist John Ward

Mon, 14/09/2026 - 14:00

Meet at Longton Station PHS logo
King Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1EZ

Monday 14 September

14:00

Max 25 people

Follow in the footsteps of John Ward (1837-1906), an amateur geologist, palaeontologist and ichthyologist, known for collecting fossils from the coal mines of Staffordshire. Ward grew up in Fenton and ran a drapers shop in Longton, but the fossils and specimens he collected are now to be found in museums and significant scientific collections throughout the world. He was a founder member and president of the North Staffordshire Naturalists Field Club and played an active role in the civic life of his home town of Longton. The walk is hosted by the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Potteries Heritage Society and led by ichthypaleontologist Rob Gagliano.

Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/footsteps-john-ward-book

Website: potteries.org.uk

Lost and Found: Josiah Clowes and the Norton Colliery Canal

Sun, 13/09/2026 - 14:00

Caldon Canal and the Norton Colliery Branch PHS logo

Meet at the Lychgate, St Bartholomew's Church
Norton Lane, Norton-le-Moors, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 8BY

Sunday 13th September

14:00

Join Potteries Heritage Society on the trail of a pioneering canal engineer and a forgotten branch canal. Find out about the life of The Potteries' locally-born canal engineer and a lost canal hiding in plain sight. This three-mile walk has stunning views over the City and the Moorlands, descends 160ft (50m) into the valley of the River Trent, and along a section of the Caldon Canal, before returning to St Bartholomew's Church. Led by Andy Perkin.

Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/lost-found-clowes-book

Website: potteries.org.uk

Our Lady and St Peter's Catholic Church

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 10:00

106 Hartshill Rd, Hartshill Our Lady Logo Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7LT

Saturday 19th September 11:00-17:00

Sunday 17th September 13:00-17:00

An historic Catholic Church with a beautiful interior and parts of the building dating back to 1857. The site will be open for guided or self guided tours with a talk about the history of the church available each day. Historic artefacts will be on display and you can visit areas not usually open, such as the choir loft. Light refreshments will be available throughout.

Booking: not required

Website: ourladyandstpeterstoke.org.uk

Our Lady and St Peter's Catholic Church

Sun, 20/09/2026 - 13:00

106 Hartshill Rd, Hartshill Our Lady Logo Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7LT

Saturday 19th September 11:00-17:00

Sunday 17th September 13:00-17:00

Booking: not required

Website: ourladyandstpeterstoke.org.uk

Salt, Pepper and Vinegar Bottle Ovens

Fri, 11/09/2026 - 13:00

James Kent (Ceramic Materials) Ltd
Fountain Street, Fenton
Stoke on Trent, ST4 2HB

Friday 11th September

13:00 to 16:00

See the three bottle ovens known locally as Salt, Pepper and Vinegar at close quarters and learn about how the manufactured products were used in the local pottery industry. The original underground workings are available to view, however access is confined and therefore restricted.

Booking: not required

Website: jameskentgroup.com

St Bartholomew's Church Norton-le-Moors

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 11:00

St Bartholomew's

Norton Lane, Norton-le-Moors
Stoke-on-Trent ST6 8BY

Saturday 19th September

11:00 - 16:00

St Bartholomew's Church Norton-le-Moors is a Grade II listed building with outstanding views towards the Staffordshire Moorlands. Visitors to the belfry and the Church will be able to learn more about its fascinating history. The first Church in Norton-le-Moors was recorded from 1180, the parish of 'Nortone' is listed in the Domesday book. The present building was built in 1737 with a further extension completed in 1915. Explore the Church and its surroundings using the 'Guide for Visitors' pamphlet and our volunteers will be happy to assist in any way. Access to the belfry is from the footpath, climb to the top of the steps where the ringers will be demonstrating their skills from 12 noon and happily talk about bell ringing as well as encouraging you to have a go. The Church itself has many different facets, including beautiful stained glass windows, hand embroidered altar frontals as well as a stunning eagle lectern to name a few.

Booking: not required

Website: facebook.com/StBartsNortonleMoors

Stoke Minster

Fri, 18/09/2026 - 10:00

Stoke Minster

Stoke Minster
Glebe Street
Stoke on Trent
ST4 1LP

Friday 18th September

10:00 to 14:00

Explore the belfry, see tombs of world famous potters of Spode and Wedgwood, get up close to exquisite stained glass windows, Guided tours and launch of new self guided walks, both inside and in the grounds. See the Minster from a new angle, with Smithy Sky Stuff, a drone photographer, who will show you hidden parts of the Minster with his drone photography. As well as drone footage from across the Six Towns. Guided tours run every half an hour from 10.00am. The last tour will start at 13.00.

Booking: not required

Website: achurchnearyou.com/church/4513/

The People who Moved the Earth

Sun, 20/09/2026 - 11:00

Meet at the Visitor Centre, Etruria Industrial Museum
Etruria Vale Road, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4RB

Sunday 20th September

11:00

Max 25 people

Find out about the engineers, navvies and canal carriers of The Potteries waterways with a tour around Etruria Junction and the Etruria Industrial Museum site. For 250 years Etruria has been the hub of the Potteries canal system. A place where canals were designed, built and maintained. A place where people worked and lived on the cut, where raw materials arrived and were processed, and where finished goods were dispatched across the world. Hosted by the Etruria Industrial Museum (with Shirley's Bone & Flint Mill in steam) and led by Potteries Heritage Society.

Booking: Pre-book online: potteries.org.uk/people-who-moved-earth-book

Website: potteries.org.uk

Trentham Parish Church Open Doors

Sat, 19/09/2026 - 11:00

Trentham Church and Garden

Trentham Parish Church
Park Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AB

Saturday 13th September

11:00 to 16:00

St Mary and All Saints Church is a vibrant parish church with a continuous heritage dating back to the 7th century. As part of this year's Heritage Open Days theme, Everyday Histories, we invite visitors to discover the stories of people who have shaped the life of our church and community across the generations. Through personal memories and reflections, explore how faith, family, work and daily life have changed - and stayed the same - over the centuries. Visitors will also have the opportunity to share their own memories and become part of the continuing story of St Mary and All Saints.

Booking: not required

Website: trenthamheritage.org.uk