Heritage Open Days are England’s biggest festival for heritage and culture with thousands of events across the country throughout September. At the Dudson Museum, Heritage Open Days is a chance to see what makes the pottery industry, our city, and its story so special.
This month, we’re celebrating Heritage Open Days with a series of great events, kicking off on Sunday 12th September.
Dudson Museum Open Day
Date: Sunday 12th September 2021
Time: 10:00am until 3:00pm
The Dudson Museum is opening its doors on a Sunday to tell the story of the ceramic industry and the use of bottle kilns. Take a tour inside an original bottle oven to find out what it was like in the 1800s working in the Ceramic industry!
Starting with a guided tour of the museum, outlining the history of Dudson Pottery; the famous family pottery business that dates back to the 1800s. The tour will be followed by a presentation from our museum experts.
Visitors will also be able to meet Mrs. Potts, our very own fictional character who tells the history and exciting stories of what it was like for children working within the ceramic industry. A chance to role play and find out what life was like for children working in Stoke-on-Trent back in the 19th Century.
There will be a selection of quizzes and activities to take part in throughout the day, with plenty of prizes to be won.
The onsite café will also be open serving a selection of light bites and drinks.
Booking is preferred to attend the tour. To reserve your place or to find out more, please call 07876834721or e-mail [email protected]
Also taking place on 12th September:
Bike to Bottle Ovens
Starting at the Dudson Centre at 10 am. Parking at the Dudson Centre is available by arrangement.
Join the Potteries Heritage Society and its partners on this cycling tour. The 12-mile route will visit 20 bottle ovens in the north of the city. Local experts and experienced cyclists will be on hand to guide you through the 12-mile route and to relate the history and heritage of these local icons.
The route will start and finish at the Dudson Centre where the Dudson Cafe will be open for a drink and a bite to eat after seeing the pottery sights of Stoke-on-Trent.
Pre-booking is essential for this tour. Book your place here before 4 pm on 10th September.
Walking to Bottle Ovens in Hanley and Etruria
Date: Tuesday 14th September 2021
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Join Potteries Heritage Society and partners for a pleasant morning stroll around the bottle ovens of Hanley and Etruria.
Once ubiquitous in the city, only around 50 of these iconic structures remain in Stoke-on-Trent and they are not always easy to find, so starting from the Dudson Museum’s striking example, the walk will set off to find these iconic structures in and around Hanley and Etruria. Participants will get to encounter a range of different types of bottle ovens along the way and meet with some of the people who own and look after them. The walk is approximately four miles long. The Dudson Centre Café will be open from 9:00am for refreshments before the walk commences.
Pre-booking is essential for this tour. Book your place here before 4pm on 13 September 2021.
