Of the 12 attractions in the West Midlands which won a prestigious Accolade in the annual 2017 VisitEngland Attraction Quality Scheme, three were based within Stoke-on-Trent.
A total of 86 attractions across England have recently been awarded VisitEngland Accolades in appreciation of the outstanding experiences they provide – highlighting all aspects of the overall visitor experience, from story-telling to food and drink and from customer service to overall winners.
Stoke-on-Trent & The Potteries proved to be on of this year’s big winners, winning Accolades for the Emma Bridgewater Factory (for Best Told Story & Quality Food & Drink); Trentham Gardens (Gold); and World of Wedgwood (Gold).
Their success reflects the world-class attractions which can be found in and area which, in 2018, will also be celebrating #Circus250 thanks to local man Philip Astley, who is credited with inventing the modern circus 250 years ago, in 1768.
Designed to celebrate excellence within the visitor attraction sector, VisitEngland’s Accolades showcase those businesses in VisitEngland’s quality scheme that go the extra mile to provide a high-quality day out, whether through a warm welcome, an engaging story, a delicious lunch or the overall visitor experience.
Accolades are given for the following categories: Welcome, Best Told Story, Quality Food & Drink, Hidden Gem and Gold; and the attractions have achieved these Accolades based on the score they obtained following their annual assessment by VisitEngland.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “These attractions offer a warm welcome, unique storytelling, high quality food and drink and unparalleled customer service and rightly deserve these accolades. They provide visitors with amazing experiences and create reasons to travel the length and breadth of the country, increasing the economic benefits of tourism.”
Thy represent a wide range of tourism experiences across England, from museums and galleries, farm attractions, historic houses and gardens to churches, cathedrals and country parks.
Stoke-on-Trent itself is famous for its pottery history and heritage, which is interpreted today in a host of attractions, factory shops, museums and tours. The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery houses one of the world’s finest collections of ceramics, as well as item from The Staffordshire Hoard. World-class gardens, tea shops, and hand-on activities rub shoulder with the UK’s only Monkey Forest; while theme parks such as Alton Towers, and National Trust properties such as Shugborough, can also be found close-by.
For further details about Stoke-on-Trent’s attractions, day visits and short breaks to Stoke-on-Trent, visit www.visitstoke.co.uk.