We decided to head to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery also known as the Hanley Museum in Stoke-on-Trent with our kids recently. Its a great place to head to with the kids if you have a couple of hours to spare. There is a fabulous cafe there, with a kids area on the ground floor. The museum is free as well so another reason to spend some quality time with the kids there if you are on a tight budget.
Here’s a photo of our kids with the Arnold Bennett statue in Hanley, near the museum
Another sculpture infront of the museum
The museum is free to enter but you are welcomed to give a donation to help sustain it. The museum has about eight galleries namely the Staffordshire Hoard, Spitfire Gallery, Local History, Archeology, Natural Science, Ceramics, Fine Art and Design with extensive materials being showcased there permanently besides the museum treasures. To top this, there are often visiting exhibits / temporary events being held at the museum, this at times may require an entrance fee. For example, while we were there the Victoria Exhibit costs £5 per person.
The Spitfire plane was there when we went to visit but is currently being restored so you might not be able to see the plane for the time being. Give the museum a call and they would be able to let you know when the plane will be back. Here’s another shot of the spitfire engine.
Here’s a video of the Spitfire plane being dismantled in 90 seconds
Some sample ceramic artifacts that are available in the museum
We got a rare glimpse of the Owl Jug also known as Ozzy the Owl
A small replica of a bottle kiln oven
Some beautiful ceramic collection dolls in display at the museum
The TV room with a large screen was a favourite with our kids, as they could sit and watch a short video
The kids enjoyed playing with the Roman Mosaic on the ground floor
There was also a colouring section as well as a tea party set left out for the kids to play, it was great as they were tired going around looking at all the exhibits and wanted to have a break
They have a lovely gift shop located at the foyer / entrance of the museum selling all sorts of gift items, pottery and souvenir stuff. We did not pop into the cafe during this visit, but we have been to the cafe for lunch before and can confirm that they do serve freshly made sandwiches, baked potatoes, oatcakes and cakes. We have also heard that they do a selection of tasty cakes for their Afternoon Tea, so do give them a call to pre-book if you are interested to try it.
There is just so much to see and photograph at the museum and we are not able to showcase everything in this blog post, only a couple of photos for you to get a look and feel of the place. So if you are wondering where to head to with the kids …why not pop over to the Potteries Museum, this would be a great place to head to with the whole family.
Where is the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery?
Bethesda St
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 3DW
Tel: 01782 232323
What are the Opening Times of the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery?
Monday to Saturday – 10am until 5pm
Sunday – 11am until 4pm
How much is the Entrance Fee?
Its Free (You are welcomed to offer a donation)
You may also want to read : Emma Bridgewater Factory Tour *
47 comments
Thank you for sharing. This museum in Hanley looks like such an interesting place to visit on a family day out and your photos are great! I’m sure the kids would love to go there!
Yes ours did and I am sure yours would too x
Multimedia elements are always such a great element of any museum for getting children interested – and great that its free entry too!
C x
Yes it keeps them interested and not bored
Initially I thought it was the same museum I’ve been to in Stoke on Trent, but it’s another one. I would like to visit this one too, as it does have lots of interesting things.
Oh, wonder which one you visited before this Anca? This one is in Hanley, its great as its in the city centre.
I never visit enough places like this, such a fun day out too. It’s one of my personal goals this year to do more of this. I hope when I have little ones I’ll do trips like this
Yes, kids love it, as they get bored easily. Its also great if you don’t have kids and you will have more time to read about its histories
We love visiting museums as Lucas grows up, he would really enjoy it here,
We are sure he would, so much to do there if you are a kid
That looks like a fab gallery we love visiting places like this. Definitely looks like a great family day out.
Yes, we enjoyed the visit very much and the kids espedially
Ooh this is a blast from the past! I went to uni in Crewe and alsager and we had some great times in Hanley! I haven’t been back in years!
This looks like an interesting place to go and explore. I have to admit I’m not sure Hanley is too far away and I do like a good museum trip so I may have to head off!
Wow, that’s a lot of gallery for the fact that it’s free entrance x
This looks like such a fun and interesting day out for the kids.
Oh this looks like an enjoyable afternoon out. We don’t have many museums around us, so I don’t think I have even ever taken Luke to one!
Hope you do find something close by, otherwise you are welcomed to make a trip to Stoke, there is so much to see and do here.
It looks like a great place to visit with kids. It seems that your kids really enjoy their time in that potteries museum art gallery. I will absolutely save this for my travel list with my son when he grows up.
Hope so Angela, you learn so much there and our kids had a great time x
I love going to museums with the kids, especially free ones 😉
Yes, saves a bit of money with you have lots of kids or are strapped. This one takes donations, so you can give as much as you can afford.
I love museums but personally, I like to visit them by myself when I have loads of free time! This one looks like something I could drag friends to see the spitfire, though!
Yes definitely! The Spitfire is undergoing some works at the minute, so it should be back spanking new very soon
I love spending time with the family looking at museums, especially places like this where theres so much to see and do xxx
Yes us too so I worry about boring museums and love the ones that cater for children
Thanks for sharing, we are always looking for places like this to take the kids on days out x
So glad about that Charli
This looks amazing 🙂 my mum would love the pottery aspect of this 🙂 I wish that we had somewhere similar closer to us :0
Oh I wish you did Lynne, otherwise worth making a trip to Stoke just to experience the pottery in Stoke
What a lovely day out, and something a little bit different for kids to enjoy too.
Yes certainly Dannii
This definitely looks like a great place to visit with your children and have fun but its educational too.
Yes very educational and fun for them
I love reading your days out they look like so much fun !
Yes it was indeed, the kids loved it so much as its a day full of adventure.
This museum seems so cool! Love reading your reviews!
Amazing, fun day out!
If I ever have kids, your blog would be my first to go, to get ideas for places to take them.
Kelly
Thanks Kelly, so many great places to visit here. Kids just love going out all the time.
It actually looks like a really great place to visit! Love your pictures!
Thanks Rikki, it was
This is SUCH an interesting museum to visit!
It sure is Emma
This looks such an interesting place to visit! If your ever in Essex you must have a look at Colchester castle it’s amazing!
It already sounds amazing! I hope to make a trip to Essex with the kids sometime soon x
A pottery museum doesn’t sound kid-friendly at first, but I love the variety and the activities offered.
Also, I really like the concept of a donation entry fee – hopefully that draws in some visitors that usually wouldn’t go to museums, while at the same time getting some generous donations!
Yes you are absolutely right Evelyne, so many things to do there for kids and the free entry also get people in especially those with big families