An award-winning museum in Stoke-on-Trent is set to open its doors to the public in January for the third consecutive year, partially reversing a council decision made in 2022 to shut it for five months of the year.
The Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton will be open throughout January, February and March, with the local authority saying it would give visitors even more opportunities to explore one of Britain’s best museums.
Gladstone was ranked third in Time Out’s 2026 list of the UK’s best museums.
As the UK’s last complete Victorian coal-fired pottery factory, it preserves the workshops, kilns and working environment of the industry that made Stoke-on-Trent world-famous.
Visitors can explore the factory, see how pottery was produced and learn more about the people who worked in the city’s ceramics industry.
Alongside the iconic bottle ovens, the Tile Gallery houses a collection of decorative tiles, charting the development of ceramic design and manufacture over the centuries.
Meanwhile, Gladstone’s Flushed with Pride exhibit explores the history of the toilet and the important role Stoke-on-Trent’s potters played in its development.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council first reversed its decision to limit the museum’s season at the start of 2025 as part of celebrations marking Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary and the museum’s 50th anniversary.
Before then, the plan was to shut between November and March, except for special events.
“Keeping Gladstone open through the winter continues to be a success, which is why we’re once again welcoming visitors throughout January, February and March,” explained cabinet member Sarah Hill.
“It’s one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most important visitor attractions and is recognised nationally as one of the country’s leading museums.”
She added: “Gladstone has featured on tv several times in the last year – introducing it to new audiences across the country.
“Visitors can see the historic factory for themselves while learning more about Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramics industry.”
Gladstone Pottery Museum will be open Wednesday to Saturday (10am to 4pm) and Sundays (11am to 4pm) with summer opening hours resuming on 31 March 2027 when the museum will be open until 5pm (4pm on Sundays).
For opening times and admission prices, visit: www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm
Follow So Staffordshire on Facebook, Threads and Instagram, or email staffordshire@so-counties.co.uk with story suggestions and to enquire about advertising opportunities.
