Staffordshire, Ceremonial county in West Midlands, England
This ceremonial county occupies the central part of England and brings together moorland hills in the north with agricultural lowlands across the middle. The territory covers varied terrain, including the Cannock Chase heathland, river valleys, and built-up industrial zones around several towns.
The area shifted from rural farmland to an industrial center during the 18th century, when coal mining and porcelain manufacturing reshaped the economy. This shift drew thousands of workers and led to the construction of new canals and railways that connected factories with raw materials and markets.
The pottery workshops in Stoke-on-Trent open their doors to visitors, showing how traditional techniques are still applied in daily production. Many of these factories offer demonstrations where craftspeople shape and decorate porcelain while showrooms display the finished pieces around the working areas.
The M6 motorway crosses the entire area from south to north and links all the main towns along its route. A dense network of canals also runs through many parts, now mostly used for towpath walks or leisure boating.
A former mine site near Burton upon Trent has been turned into an underground visitor center that shows the tunnels and shafts from the coal extraction period. Visitors can walk through cool passages and learn how miners worked below ground before production finally stopped.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
