Staffordshire
Stunning countryside, miles of inland waterways and a host of world famous attractions combine to make Staffordshire stand out from the rest. It's capital, Stoke-on-Trent, is the birthplace of English Ceramics, known affectionately the world over as The Potteries.
Explore the Peak District, ideal for leisure and activity holidays – from the spectacular crags and dales of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the sweeping panoramas of the White Peak, you'll find ample opportunity for walking, hiking and cycling, or the more daring challenges of rock climbing, caving and hang gliding.
Enjoy the traditional bustle of this classic county town, Stafford, brimming with a magnificent array of architectural, cultural and entertainment attractions. Nearby you'll find the 18th-century mansion, Shugborough, one of a rich collection of historic houses and home to Royal photographer, Earl Patrick Lichfield.
The brewing capital of England, Burton-upon-Trent has been producing Britain's ales for hundreds of years; a visit to the Bass Museum will take you behind the scenes of the story of beer and brewing.
In Stoke-on-Trent you'll discover the fascinating skills of Staffordshire's famous potters, it was here that Josiah Wedgwood, Sir Henry Doulton and Josiah Spode worked their magic, transforming base clay into objects of beauty. Today The Potteries has a host of visitor centres and museums telling the story of this fascinating industry. The historic town of Tutbury is a thriving centre for lead crystal, where you'll find displays of glass blowing and engraving.
Rich in history and buildings, the three spires of Lichfield Cathedral tower over the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum and the Erasmus Darwin Centre, based in the home of Erasmus Darwin – grandfather of Charles. Nearby are Drayton Manor Family Theme Park and Zoo, the Staffordshire Regiment and three excellent craft centres. To find out about events in Staffordshire, click 'what's on'.
For sheer breathtaking exhilaration there is Britain's number one attraction, Alton Towers. Nestling in beautiful countryside, it has more than 125 rides and attractions for all the family, beautifully landscaped into magnificent gardens.
And for more horticultural delights, visit the Dorothy Clive Garden, Bridgemere Garden World or Byrkley Park – or seek out the Victorian gardens of Biddulph Grange, a truly unique national treasure.
Must see and do
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