Stoke-on-Trent is a polycentric city, formed from the federation of six towns: Stoke-upon-Trent, Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Longton and Fenton. It sits in Staffordshire, surrounded by the towns of Alsager, Biddulph, Cheadle, Kidsgrove, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stone, which together form a conurbation around it. The area is known as The Potteries, the historic home of the English pottery industry, and its landscape still carries the traces of that industrial past.
For a visitor, the key thing to understand is that there is no single city centre in the conventional sense. Hanley is the primary commercial centre, while Stoke-upon-Trent holds the main centre of government and the principal railway station. The other towns each have their own character and their own centres. This guide covers which of these areas makes sense as a base depending on what you want from your trip, followed by what to expect at different price levels.
Best areas to stay in Stoke-on-Trent
1. Hanley
Hanley is the primary commercial centre of the city, which makes it the most practical base for most visitors. You will find the widest choice of accommodation here, including chain hotels, and you are within reach of the main shopping and commercial amenities of the city.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be at the centre of things rather than in one of the quieter outlying towns. Note that Hanley is one of the hill towns, so expect some sloping ground as you move around the area.
2. Stoke-upon-Trent
Stoke-upon-Trent is where the main centre of government and the principal railway station in the district are located. If you are arriving or departing by train, or plan to use the railway during your stay, basing yourself here removes a transfer from your journey.
It suits visitors who prioritise transport connections over nightlife or shopping. Accommodation options here are convenient for the station, and the area gives you straightforward access to the rest of the city.
3. Burslem
Burslem is one of the six towns and has its own centre, with accommodation options in the surrounding area. It suits visitors who want to stay in one of the historic pottery towns rather than in the commercial core, and who are happy to travel into Hanley or Stoke for other needs.
Burslem is not as well served for accommodation as Hanley, so your choices will be narrower. It is a reasonable base if you have a specific reason to be in the northern part of the city.
4. Festival Park
Festival Park is a distinct area with its own accommodation, including a hotel on the site, part of which was originally the mansion of Josiah Wedgwood. This gives the area a connection to the pottery heritage that defines the city.
It suits visitors who prefer a slightly set-apart base with a sense of the area's history, and who are travelling by car or are comfortable using transport to reach the town centres. It is not a town centre in itself, so plan for getting to Hanley or Stoke for shopping, dining and the railway station.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Options in this bracket are limited across the city. You will find the widest choice in Hanley, with a smaller number of places in the outlying towns such as Burslem. Expect basic, functional accommodation.
- Mid-range: Chain hotels and established independent hotels make up most of the mid-range stock, concentrated in Hanley and around the railway station at Stoke-upon-Trent. These are the most straightforward choices for a short stay.
- Splurge: The upper end of the local market is small. Look to Festival Park and the surrounding countryside, where there are hotels in more spacious settings, including the area around Alton Towers.
Best area for a first visit
Hanley is the best base for a first visit. As the primary commercial centre, it gives you the widest choice of accommodation and puts you closest to the city's main amenities. From there you can reach the other towns, including Stoke-upon-Trent with its railway station, without committing to a quieter location for your whole stay.
Frequently asked questions
Which area should I stay in if I am arriving by train?
Stoke-upon-Trent, where the principal railway station in the district is located. There is accommodation directly opposite the station, which makes it the most convenient choice for a rail arrival.
Where can I stay near the pottery heritage of the city?
Festival Park has a hotel on the site, part of which was originally the mansion of Josiah Wedgwood, which ties your stay to the area's pottery history. Burslem, one of the six towns, is another option if you want to base yourself in a historic pottery town.
Are there accommodation options outside the city itself?
Yes. There are hotels in the surrounding countryside, including in the area around Alton Towers, if you prefer a rural base within reach of Stoke-on-Trent.
Is Burslem a good base for a visitor?
Burslem is not as well served for accommodation as Hanley, so your options will be narrower. It can work if you have a specific reason to be in that part of the city, but most visitors will find Hanley more practical.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.