Spend a weekend exploring the Potteries, home to world-famous pottery brands including Moorcroft, Emma Bridgewater and Wedgwood. Join your fellow solo travellers to spend a day exploring the World of Wedgwood; discovering the V&A Wedgwood Collection, taking a guided factory tour and enjoying afternoon tea. There will be free time to explore The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery or Emma Bridgewater’s factory and shop. A delightful UK staycation!
Arrive in Stoke on Trent and check-in to your modern hotel in the centre of the city. We recommend arriving early and taking the opportunity to do a factory tour at the nearby Emma Bridgewater factory, less than a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Meet your fellow solos and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
We spend a day exploring all that the World of Wedgwood has to offer. This iconic brand has an extensive history which can be explored in the V&A Wedgwood Collection, the museum which charts the brand from the very start to present day. The fascinating exhibits explore the design history of the iconic Jasperware, the people of Wedgwood, and the future of the brand. We’ll take a tour of the factory and enjoy a classic afternoon tea. There will also be time to do a spot of shopping in the onsite shop.
We’ll head back to the hotel for the evening to enjoy a group dinner before retiring for the night.
Just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel is The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. Home to a diverse range of art, Anglo-Saxon treasures in the Staffordshire Hoard gallery, and the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics, this museum is a fascinating place to explore. There is also a Spitfire Gallery with a Spitfire RW388 donated by the RAF on display which commemorates the link between Stoke-on-Trent and the Spitfire’s designer, Reginald Joseph Mitchell.
You could also book yourself into a session in the decorating studio at the nearby Emma Bridgewater Factory to create your own Emma Bridgewater piece – from plates, bowls and jugs to the iconic Emma Bridgewater half-pint mugs. The decorating studio is open every day and would be the perfect activity for your free day on the Saturday. Factory tours and sessions in the decorating studio can be booked here and we recommend booking in advance: https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/book-your-factory-experience
Located in the centre of Stoke on Trent; the heart of the Potteries, this modern four-star hotel is comfortable and convenient. With popular attractions on the doorstep, you can be exploring the history of this creative city within minutes in the nearby Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, or touring the working factories of some of the pottery world’s biggest brands.
Hotel facilities include Restaurant Six offering buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner, fitness centre and free WiFi. Parking is available nearby at a cost of £9 per day. Stoke on Trent railway station is around one mile from the hotel.
Rooms feature King or twin beds, desk, air conditioning, safety deposit box, mini fridge, hairdryer, tea/coffee maker, iron and ironing board and a flat-screen TV. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Located in Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre – close to the city’s Cultural Quarter, shops, theatres and museums. Parking is available across the road from the hotel on Lindsay Street ST1 4QA and costs £9 per day. Stoke on Trent railway station is around 1 mile from the hotel.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £5. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% off the metered fare.
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | 6 °C | 1 °C |
| March | 9 °C | 2 °C |
| April | 11 °C | 3 °C |
| May | 15 °C | 6 °C |
| June | 18 °C | 9 °C |
| July - August | 20 °C | 11 °C |
| September | 17 °C | 9 °C |
| October | 14 °C | 7 °C |
| November | 9 °C | 3 °C |
| December | 7 °C | 2 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
