Top 10 Specialty Museums in Staffordshire, England

Gladstone is the only complete Victorian pottery factory from the days when coal burning ovens made the world's finest bone china. Traditional skills, original workshops, and the cobbled yard and huge bottle ovens transport visitors back in time. Visit the gift shop and tea room and have a go at throwing a pot, making a bone china flower or decorating pottery. Please allow two to three hours for your visit. The shop and cafe, which serves a selction of drinks and light lunches, are open to non-museum visitors.

Statfold Barn Farm, located close to Tamworth in Staffordshire, is the home to the Statfold Barn Railway which, under the guidance of owners Graham & Carol Lee over the last fifteen years, has grown to become what must be the most significant collection of narrow gauge locomotives in the UK. With over 30 steam locomotives and many internal combustion locomotives, representing most British and several overseas manufacturers. With the recent establishment of the Statfold Narrow Gauge Trust the future of this unique collection is ensured beyond the lifetime of its owners. As well as our public open & enthusiast days, Statfold also offer Driver Experience Days, educational tours & special events including Santa Express Trains, Halloween Steam & Scream and much more..!

The World of Wedgwood, a unique, interactive visitor experience celebrating the very best of British craftsmanship. Experience Wedgwood for the day through shopping, food, factory tour and art and craft workshops.

Travel back in time and discover the history of the Potteries, including the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics and The Staffordshire Hoard, a trove of Anglo-Saxon treasure! The museum has more than one hundred and fifty thousand objects on display across a range of subjects including; Ceramics, archaeology (including the Staffordshire Hoard), fine and decorative arts, natural sciences and social history. We have a lively and engaging exhibitions and events programme with many free events for the whole family to enjoy. Enjoy a light lunch or afternoon snack in our relaxing Café Museum with regular musical accompaniment by Frank Leigh. Browse in The Foyer Shop for unique quality gifts, cards, books and souvenirs of the Potteries.

The Etruria Industrial Museum is the home of Jesse Shirley's Bone and Flint Mill which operated from 1857 to 1972. It ground bone, flint and Cornish stone for the production of English Bone China. The mill is driven by an 1820s beam engine installed in 1857 with steam raised by a 1903 Cornish boiler built locally. The museum is operated by volunteers and has limited opening days. It is operated (in steam) on 6 weekends a year. Please check the website for dates and times.

Discover the lost industrial heritage of the Apedale Valley and the history of the surrounding area when you visit this unique attraction. We are located in the beautiful Apedale Community Country Park, North Staffordshire, in an area that was once an industrial powerhouse. At weekends and Bank Holidays we offer tours of an authentic drift mine. Mine tours run on the hour from 11am until the last tour at 3pm. Tours cost £6 for adults and £4 for children (over 5 only) and senior citizens. Group bookings may also be made for schools and organisations etc. Please enquire via our website or at our Reception Desk. Our museum is also open at weekends and Bank holidays, plus several week days. There you can learn about the industries and history of Apedale and the local area. There will usually be a guide on hand who will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. There are several quiz sheets for children of all ages to have fun discovering the artifacts and information in the museum. These are sited on a table in the Roman section and available free of charge. Entry to the museum is free, although we'd appreciate it if you dropped a donation in our red box! The cafe is open every day, so even if you are just passing, you can come in for a cuppa [and a warm!] or to try some North Staffordshire Oatcakes, a speciality of the Potteries. We look forward to seeing you and/or your family and friends soon!

Erasmus Darwin was one of the greatest polymaths of the 18th century. It has been said that no one since has rivaled his achievements in such a wide range of fields. Indeed, he posited a coherent theory of evolution a full 70 years before his grandson Charles. This beautiful Georgian town house and previous home of Erasmus is dedicated to his life and achievements. Set in an ancient part of Lichfield city centre, the house contains a wealth of information about this fascinating man through videos, audio guides and several hands-on exhibitions and also provides a window into Georgian life. There is also a wonderful herb garden to stroll through and a gift shop. There are plenty of activities and workshops for all ages so do check our website for various events throughout the year!

Re-opened in 2010, the Centre incorporates the former Bass Museum and tells the story of the birthplace of british beer, its people and the history of brewing in the UK. Our tour guides offer tours at 11.00am and 2.00pm, bringing stories to life. Sample some of the excellent real ales brewed at the Centre's Heritage Brewery or enjoy a bar meal or a full flagon banquet in our restaurant with a beer and food guide to help you appreciate the flavours of beer. The Centre's corporate and function rooms (and our 400 capacity permanent marquee) are set in the historic brewery buildings and offer a great venue for your company function, weddings, parties and social gatherings.

The Spode Museum Trust Heritage Centre tells the story of Spode and its importance to Stoke over the 230 years of its operation with displays of its history, working conditions and people and of its products from the 1770s until the factory closed in 2008. Activities at the Centre include demonstrations of China Painting and transfer printing on antique machinery from the original copperplates. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10.30am to 4.00pm. Parties and Groups by appointment. Admission is free with guided tours of the Blue Room and the factory site at a small charge. The Heritage Centre has a large retail shop selling vintage and antique Spode and Copeland ceramics.