The night before my 49th birthday I headed to Stoke on Trent for a weekend of champagne and ceramics! Specifically, I was meeting my friend at the *DoubleTree by Hilton hotel for a couple of nights, with an Experience Day at the nearby World of Wedgwood. The experience day was a BuyaGift present I received before the first lockdown. We had visited Stoke on Trent two years previously. That time we had a tour of the Emma Bridgewater factory, with afternoon tea and a session in the pottery decorating studio. This Wedgwood experience included a session on a potter’s wheel … I’d never done that before!

DoubleTree by Hilton, Stoke on Trent

After a traffic-packed journey from home to Stoke on Trent, I arrived first, and it was already dark. The hotel has two car parks – a very busy one for event visitors, and another for those staying at the hotel. Of course, I went to the wrong one and spent ages looking for a space only to then be told I was in the wrong car park. The car park I needed to park in was empty in comparison! So a tip for overnight hotel guests – turn LEFT on arrival at the hotel, rather than follow the road around the hotel to the car park down the dip!

I followed signs to the Reception where I was greeted by two very friendly staff, who quickly checked me in, and opened a draw and presented me with two warm cookies! I later discovered that this is a ‘thing’ with DoubleTree by Hilton hotels … and I have to say it was very yummy!

Our room

We had a standard double room that looked out over the gardens. As well as a double bed there was a sofa bed, which staff later set up for us. The room had a fully-equipped drinks tray consisting of a kettle, cups, spoons, and a good selection of teas and instant coffee. During working hours, there are complimentary coffee vending machines around the hotel too – keep an eye out for these. There was a big flatscreen TV mounted on the wall … It was a comfortable room with everything you needed in it.

The bathroom had a fantastic walk-in shower with an amazing power shower. And there were complimentary toiletries from Crabtree & Evelyn.

Dining

Once Georgena had arrived, and we’d eaten our warm cookies with a cup of tea we decided it was too late to head into the centre of Stoke on Trent for dinner – opting instead to visit the hotel restaurant. We visited on a quiet Thursday evening, and the staff was very friendly and attentive. The menu was full of lovely options, but after long drives, we both opted for the same – pepperoni pizzas. I have no photos because we were famished and as soon as the plates hit the table we tucked in. It was a very nice meal, with great company, in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Eating in was definitely the best option for us.

The following morning we had booked breakfast at the hotel too. It was my birthday, and a personalised muffin was delivered to me – such a lovely surprise! The breakfast was as substantial as you want it to be – a mainly self-service buffet consisting of cereals and continental cheeses, meats, and breads. There was also the option of a full English hot breakfast, where you could pick what items you would like.

A lovely selection of juices, and a coffee machine with lots of options, rounded up a lovely start to a busy day.

Hotel facilities

DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is perfectly located near Waterworld, and all the big attractions in the Stoke on Trent area. It is a family-friendly hotel that caters to large party groups too – there are event rooms for weddings, business meetings, and large gatherings. A pool with a fully-equipped gym is also on-site … alas we didn’t get the chance to sample these. This was due to me waking up with a really nasty head cold, and as the day went on it got progressively worse ☹ A cold on my birthday? Not fair. I had already checked for Covid – it really was just a nasty head cold that was doing the rounds at my children’s school.

Talking of Covid, it was reassuring to see that the hotel was following strict hygiene rules. Mask wearing, sanitisers all over the place, lifts were being regularly cleaned. Even the TV remote in our room had been sanitised.

Unfortunately my cold meant cutting short our trip, as I wanted to drive home while I was still well enough to manage the 4-hour journey. However, I wasn’t going to miss the Wedgwood Experience Day (the reason we were there!)

World of Wedgwood

It was a 15-minute drive to Wedgwood. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the building was super-modern … not industrial brick factory buildings like at Emma Bridgewater. Here, at Wedgwood, it was expansive. Lots of green open spaces, full of sculptures and features that caught your eye on the pathway leading towards the entrance.

And, of course, a statue of Mr Josiah Wedgwood himself stood proudly outside the doors!

The reception staff was lovely, explaining our itinerary to us for the day. We were to mingle in the shop or museum for half an hour, then make our way to the tea room for tea and biscuits. After this, we would have a group tour of the factory, followed by Afternoon Tea, more time to visit the museum, and then a session on the potter’s wheels. A jam-packed day, that’s for sure! Across the courtyard was a ‘seconds’ outlet shop – well worth a visit too.

The shop was lovely and colourful with all their current ranges on display.

Towards the back of the shop was the tea room and we checked in there as soon as we were able, as by then I really needed a cuppa. And wow, what a range of tea I had to choose from!

I opted for the Wedgwood Original blend, and it was served in a beautiful cup and teapot.  

Factory Tour

For obvious reasons, we were not allowed to take photographs during what was a fascinating tour. We got to see the whole process, taking a piece of clay and moulding it, glazing it, decorating and finishing it. We saw the moulds for all the embellishments used over the years, and a team hard at work designing new ones. A team hand-finishing vases and teapots … such steady hands needed! It’s incredible how many people are involved in making the cup you are drinking from while reading this post … If you do nothing more on a visit to Wedgwood, make sure you book onto this tour.

Museum

After the tour, we had time to spare before our Afternoon Tea reservation. We decided to walk through the museum. To get the most out of the museum we needed a lot more time, as there’s so much to see and read. In fact there are over 3,500 exhibits. Over 260 years of Wedgwood history is documented as you progress through the museum. And of course, there are some beautiful pieces of pottery to admire.

Afternoon Tea

Our Afternoon Tea was very decadent. We were seated in a lovely part of the tea room, surrounded by plush cushions and William Morris prints on the walls.

We drank a lot of tea … with my cold developing, I couldn’t get enough of it. Again I chose their Original blend tea, which is a lovely ‘every day’ blend, so is very easy to drink. Our tea stand arrived, full of finger sandwiches (ham & cream cheese, chicken, lemon mayonnaise & watercress, cheddar & chutney, smoked salmon, crème fraiche & dill, and egg mayonnaise & cress). There were lovely homemade scones, with cream and jam. Finally, a selection of desserts … By this time we were beaten, so asked to take them home with us. The desserts consisted of a chocolate brownie, berry panna cotta, lemon macaroon, vanilla & caramel cheesecake, and a Bakewell tart.

Lunch was lovely, and filling! I’m pleased there wasn’t a massive amount of walking to be done afterwards! However, we still had one thing left to do …

Potter’s Wheel experience

I have always wanted to ‘throw a pot’ on a potter’s wheel … ever since the days of the Generation Game, where the contestants made it look so difficult – surely it wasn’t?! Georgena and I were joined by another couple, and we were taken into the studio and given aprons to put on. Potter’s wheels – one each – were set up ready for us.

Our teacher told us a little about the clay, and how to work with it. And after her demonstration, she helped us cut our slice of clay. We then threw it onto the tabletop and kneaded it to loosen it up a bit. Then it was time to take it over to our potter’s wheel!

The next 15 mins or so was a blur if I’m honest. With help my clay was centred on the wheel, and with wet hands I managed to create a nice pot shape. But then, when I used cheese wire to cut the pot from the wheel, it collapsed. So I tried again with a new slice of clay … this time my pot quickly turned in a plate – when I slowed the wheel, it collapsed! It really is a skill (that I don’t possess, and clearly need a lot more practice).

I did learn a lesson though … quit while you are ahead. On both occasions I was happy with my pot, but rather than stop and take it off the wheel, I attempted to make it fancier and by doing so I ruined it. Never mind, next time …

Stoke on Trent

After our Wedgwood Experience, we returned to the hotel, grabbing a coffee on the way. We were booked to stay that night, so I took a hot steamy shower to try to clear my congested head. Alas it didn’t work, and I felt exhausted, so I had a nap. When I awoke, the decision was taken for us to head home early.

This was a great shame, not only because it was my birthday, but because there is so much to do in and around Stoke on Trent. We were close to Trentham (shopping village and Monkey Forest), Waterworld, Caldon Canal, Middleport Pottery, home of Burleigh, which is an award-winning visitor destination in the heart of Burslem, the Mother Town of the Potteries. And of course, lots more famous potteries to visit and explore (Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Stafford, Moorcroft, and others). For a comprehensive list of things to do, visit the Visit Stoke website. Obviously it means we’ll have to return again … but this time I’ll make sure there are no head colds to ruin things!

Disclaimer

*Our stay in DoubleTree by Hilton was complimentary.