Attractions
The following visitor attractions listings provide a quick overview and where we have them some brief accessibility details - we believe that having a disability should be no barrier to enjoying what North Staffordshire has to offer the tourist and we support Accessible Countryside for Everyone in promoting access to leisure activities and attractions
Alton Towers is probably the most popular attraction, with it’s Theme Park, Water Park, CBeebies Land, Extraordinary Golf, Enchanted Forest Tree Top Quest, Hotels, Spa and exceptional Gardens
Accessibility - Accessible toilets, wheelchair access to most of the park - note from access statement "Please note, due to the very hilly nature of our site which can make powered buggies very unstable, we do not allow them into the Theme Park and in CBeebies Land", Changing Places facilities are located in the X Sector and in the Gloomy Wood toilet block
and a Space to Change facility is located in Fountain Square
www.altontowers.com
Apedale Valley Light Railway - Apedale Country Park, Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme - The railway is built to a narrow gauge – just 24 inches (610mm) between the rails. Historic steam and diesel locomotives haul trains on a 15 minute round-trip beside the Apedale Community Country Park. Event days and Special Services – the Station is next to the Heritage Centre which has a museum, cafe, shop and offers Mine Tours
Accessibility - from their website "There is level access to the railway; a shallow angle ramp leads onto the platform. This is our main station, known as Silverdale Station. We have a loan wheelchair available to assist individuals who may feel unable to board the train. The train can convey two wheelchair users at a time. We are not able to convey powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Please note that our trains, especially the steam trains, can make loud and sudden noises which can alarm or startle some visitors."
avlr.org.uk
Biddulph Grange Garden (NT) - Biddulph, Stoke on Trent - Victorian garden, “created by James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world…A visit takes you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen”
Accessibility - "Narrow gravel paths, over 400 steps and tunnels throughout the garden...Access toilet adjacent to the visitor reception", Baby-changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/biddulph-grange-garden
Churnet Valley Railway – 11 mile return journey along the valley between Kinglsey & Froghall station and Leekbrook through beautiful countryside known as Staffordshire’s “Little Switzerland”, “Moorlander” dining train, events, footplate experience
Accessibility - It is recommended that wheelchair users board the train at Kingsley & Froghall Station due to a lower platform level at Cheddleton.
Take a look at our Churnet Valley Railway photo album on Flickr -
www.flickr.com/photos/visit-north-staffordshire...
www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
Etruria Industrial Museum and Heritage Centre – Etruria, Stoke on Trent – “home of Jesse Shirley’s 1857 Bone and Flint Mill, the only remaining operational Steam Driven Potters’ Mill in the world”, Victorian factory mill, cafe, canal-side walks
Accessibility - disabled toilets "Unfortunately there is limited access for those with mobility difficulties to enter the mill"
www.etruriamuseum.org.uk
Emma Bridgewater factory – Meet the jiggers, jolliers, fettlers, casters and decorators whose traditional skills and craftsmanship go into creating every piece of pottery. Bookable factory tours, decorating studio, experience days, cafe, garden, shop
Accessibility - "the factory is accessible and we have space for one wheelchair so please get in touch tel: 01782 201328 to book"
emmabridgewaterfactory.co.uk
Ford Green Hall - Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent - This is a timber-framed yeoman’s farmhouse of 1624 with 18th century brick additions, complete with period garden, visit for an insight into 17th century life, rooms are furnished with an outstanding collection of textiles, ceramics and furniture, shop and tea room
fordgreenhall.org.uk
Foxfield Railway – Caverswall Road Station, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge - Heritage Steam Railway, period carriages, 5 mile round trip through rural Staffordshire pulled by historic steam engines as well as a Miniature Railway, café, shop, fully licensed real ale bar, experience days - running every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter until Christmas
Accessibility - The railway has a specially adapted wheelchair carriage; access is via a portable ramp
foxfieldrailway.co.uk
Foxfield Colliery – Whitehurst Lane, Dilhorne - Visit the historic Foxfield Colliery - "Opened in 1880, the Foxfield Colliery was the raison d’etre of the Foxfield Railway: book a guided tour of the colliery buildings and spend some time in the Colliery Visitor Centre to learn more about the history of the colliery, as well as the role of women, children and animals in coal mining"
Accessibility - Unfortunately, due to uneven surfaces, the tours are not suitable for under 5s or those with limited mobility. We recommend you wear stout footwear. Male, female, and disabled toilets with changing facilities are available at the Colliery.
Tours generally take place on the third Sunday of every month. The colliery will be open from 10am to 3.30pm.
foxfieldrailway.co.uk
Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre animal sanctuary and Bird of prey hospital - can be found at Fletcher’s Country Garden Centre nr Eccleshall(which also has a cafe and childrens play area) A small sanctuary for exotic animals and birds of prey. As well as a hospital unit for the treatment of wild raptors, (not on display), the centre is home to over 30 different species of Bird of prey, Primate, Reptile, Invertebrate, Raccoons, Cats and many more - flying displays on some days
Please see their website for opening times and the small cost of entry
gentleshawwildlife.uk
