The city of Stoke sits on the River Trent (hence, the full name: Stoke-on-Trent) halfway between Birmingham and Manchester, roughly 45 miles from each. It is the county town of Staffordshire and has a population of 390,000, making it the 22nd largest city in the UK. The city grew up in the ceramics industry and is still today known as “The Potteries”.
A Brief History of Stoke-on-Trent
Little is made of Stoke’s early history because the city has been of such significance from the 18th century onward. There were Roman settlements in the area from AD48, and in the Domesday Book, a church is recorded at Penkhull. More importantly, however, a strong Anglo-Saxon presence is well-known. This is due to Staffordshire Hoard, the largest Anglo-Saxon treasure trove ever found in the UK, dating from the 7th century.
The Growth of The Potteries
From the Norman Conquest to the 1600s, coal mining in the area grew in importance, with reports of mining happening in the 14th century. Coal was used in the firing of pottery, and the foundation of Stoke as a centre of ceramic making began in the late 1300s/early 1400s.
By 1740, thanks to innovation and industry in a concentrated area, six towns became the pottery epicentre of England. World-famous ceramicist Josiah Wedgewood was born in 1730, and his inventions of Queen’s ware, creamware and jasper ware only helped to cement the area’s reputation, which was enhanced by Thomas Minton and Josiah Spode. By 1800, Stoke was the most important ceramic industry in the world, just as we know it today.
From Six Towns to One City
Initially, the Staffordshire pottery industry was shared between the six towns of Burslem, Tunstall, Stoke-upon-Trent, Hanley, Fenton and Longton. In 1910, the Federation of Stoke-on-Trent amalgamated the six towns. City status was granted in 1925. Although it has seen a significant decline, the ceramics industry is still important in Stoke’s economy, both as a manufacturing industry and a tourist attraction.
Visitor Attractions in Stoke-on-Trent
These are some of the most interesting and attractive sights and sites in Stoke:
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.0231313,-2.1800439,17z
The world’s most significant collection of Staffordshire ceramics is held in The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, along with the 4,600 items of the Staffordshire Hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure.
World of Wedgewood
https://www.google.com/maps/@52.9540037,-2.1708271,17z
Located on the Wedgewood family estate of 240 acres of parkland, the World of Wedgewood is home to one of the world’s most important industrial collections. Capturing 250 years of ceramic history, you can see Jasper ware in production, throw your own pot on a wheel and enjoy walks on the grounds.
Burslem Town Square
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.0455852,-2.2006173,17z
With its collection of red brick buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, Burslem Town Square is a destination for anyone interested in architecture. Notable buildings include the former Town Hall, the Wedgwood Institute and the Burslem School of Art.
Trentham Gardens
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.1770068,-2.708425,10z
One of the most visited private parks in the UK, Trentham Gardens, offers a full day of leisure activities. As well as the fully restored Italianate gardens, the estate has a garden centre, shopping village, monkey forest, barefoot walk, treetop high rope course and children’s playground.
Festival Park
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.0274835,-2.2001352,17z
Offering a leisurely respite from the wealth of world-class pottery museums, Festival Park. However, it is also home to Waterworld, the UK’s number one water park. There’s also tenpin bowling, a cinema and places for refreshments.
Alton Towers
https://www.google.com/maps/@52.9874398,-1.8886399,17z
Just 16 miles from Stoke centre, Alton Towers theme park is a half-hour drive away. Set in more than 500 acres of beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it incorporates a theme park with more than 40 thrilling rides, a water park, a spa and mini golf. If you’re visiting from overseas, you need a UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent to enjoy this historic city in The Potteries.
What is the UK ETA?
The UK Government announced that all the borders of the four nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are to be fully digitalized, and every foreign visitor will require an ETA to gain entry by the end of 2024. The UK ETA is an electronic (digital) permit linked to a national passport.
Who Requires a UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent?
All foreign visitors must have a UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent. This includes non-visa nationals from the European Schengen Zone, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The ETA applies to travellers of all ages without exemption and covers all purposes of travel, whether it is for a holiday, other leisure, business studying or medical treatment. The government has issued an ETA Eligibility List, and it currently contains 92 countries.
Who Is Exempt From Needing a UK ETA?
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All British passport holders are ETA exempt. Exemptions also cover British nationals who are residing in the United Kingdom. They include:
• Brits in overseas territories
• Brits who are overseas nationals
• British citizens overseas
• Any person with British-protected status
• British subjects who do not have the right of abode in the UK.
Irish passport holders are also not required to apply for a UK ETA.
What Is the Process For Obtaining a UK ETA?
Every ETA application has to be made online. Everything is electronic, without the need to exchange paperwork of any kind. With a passport, email address and credit or debit card, it takes just a few minutes to apply for a UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent.
Processing takes between 42 and 78 hours, at which point the ETA is granted or refused. It is advisable to apply for an ETA before you book travel arrangements. With a valid national biometric passport and payment method in hand, you can complete the application form. It requests various pieces of personal identification information:
• Personal details: full given names, birth date, gender
• Contact information: home address, contact telephone number and email address
• Passport information: number, country of issue, issue date, expiry date, dates of issue and expiry
• Work information: employer name, address and contact details
You will also be asked to disclose information regarding any dual nationalities or other citizenships and answer questions relating to security. These cover immigration history, criminal history, drug-related activity, connections to terrorism and state of health.
The application is not official unless it is accompanied by a debit or credit card payment. Every application for a UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent is assessed. The information provided is checked against international immigration and security databases used by the UK Border force.
An ETA may not be granted, and the applicant may be refused entry to the UK with an electronic permit. The applicant may, however, still be able to apply for a visa via the regular process. Also, even after an ETA has been granted, the holder may not be permitted to enter the country. The UK Border Force has the right to refuse entry to any person they believe is a threat to national security or is inadmissible under UK law.
How Is the Information in an ETA Application Used?
All information provided in an ETA application is covered by UK data protection laws, the data privacy policy and the published terms and conditions. Successful ETA applications are shared with Advance Passenger Information systems. Travel carriers have access to the API and will continue to be responsible for checking their passengers have valid documentation to travel to the UK.
For How Long Is an ETA Valid?
An ETA is valid for a maximum of 180 days from the date of issue or the date a traveller’s national passport expires. If an ETA is due to expire during the stay in the UK, an application for a new ETA must be made. A UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent enables the holder freedom of movement throughout the UK during its valid period. Any person who wishes to work in the UK or wants to spend longer than six months requires a visa, not an ETA.
How Is the ETA Issued?
No paperwork is issued. The ETA is granted as an electronic link to the applicant’s passport and is automatically verified at the port of entry (airport, seaport or Eurostar entry point) when scanned by a border official. More information can be found in ETA FAQ.
What Are the Benefits of The ETA?
The electronic application process is simple to follow and faster for both applicants and immigration officials. Paperwork is no longer required or issued, and visitors do not have to attend a British embassy or consulate in person as they currently have to for a visa application, thanks to the UK ETA for Stoke-on-Trent.