Arts and crafts in Staffordshire
Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, South Staffordshire, Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth)It has a population of around 1,097,000 and covers approximately 271,000 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands.
Staffordshire became famous during the 18th and 19th centuries for the production of pottery, as well as innovations in some of the processes used, leading to the towns involved being called collectively the Potteries. Among the famous names that emerged during this period were Wedgwood, Aynsley, Doulton and Spode, whose work is highly valued, with early examples appearing in many museum collections. People had long used the areas red clay soil to earn money as potters, but improving transport links enabled them to begin using white clay from areas such as Devon and Cornwall and to sell their work more widely. Staffordshire continues to export locally made ceramics including plates, vases, tiles and tableware around the world. Performing arts venues in Staffordshire include Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent.
The county town of Staffordshire is Stafford, where you can visit the Ancient High House, a timber framed Tudor town house which is the largest such property in the country and is now a museum with period furnishings and exhibits. The Gladstone Pottery Museum is the countries only remaining complete pottery factory from the Victorian period and visitors can learn how pottery was made. The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley has on display thousands of pieces of Staffordshire pottery and provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the Potteries, as well as seeing exhibits of decorative and fine arts. Other attractions in Staffordshire include Tamworth Castle, Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston, Lichfield Cathedral, Apedale Heritage Centre, the ruins of Stafford Castle, Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent and Cannock Chase near Stafford.
