Etruria Canals Festival is back for 2025. The Canal canal will be lined with historic narrow boats.

Shirley’s Bone and Flint Mill, which manufactured materials to enable potters to produce the fantastic decorated ware that Stoke-on-Trent is renowned for, will be in steam and operating from 12.30 to 4.30 with the engine started on the hour.  It is the only operating steam powered Potter’s Mill in the world. There will be a reduced entry price of £7.00 per adult with uncer 16s free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Alongside an arts programme there will be lots of other family friendly activities. Visitors will have a chance to take part in hands on clay workshops with Etruria Artists. Blacksmith Charis Jones from Sculpted Steel will be doing demonstrations in the on-site forge. There will be a number artisan, craft and charity stalls.

At the top of the main field Lymestone Brewery will be running the on-site bar throughout the festival and there will be a range food offers on-site including baked potatoes (v&v+), crepes (v&v+), burgers, Jamaican food, Thai Food (v&v+), Ice Cream and a variety of cakes and sweet treats. The museum tearoom will be open selling a selection of drinks, cakes and meals. You’re also very welcome to bring your own food and have a picnic (but do note NO barbeques are allowed for safety reasons)

PARKING IS DIFFERENT AGAIN THIS YEAR-the usual car park at Clough Street Recreation Ground will NOT be available for public attendees this year. Free Public Parking Alternative. Please do note that many of the residential streets in the area are now permit only.

Stoke on Trent College (Caldon Campus) have kindly offered us use of their car park for the event weekend. The entrance to this is Stoke-on-Trent College Stoke Road Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DG. This is a 15-minute walk from the site.

FREE SHUTTLE BUS There will be a FREE shuttle bus leaving from Stoke College carpark and dropping off/collecting from Etruria Museum Car park (next to the footbridge entrance to the site) every 15 minutes from 10.45am-5.45pm. At busy times we would encourage those who are coming in groups to drop off their party at the museum car park so just the driver needs to access the shuttle/walk. Stewards will be on-site to support.

Please note the shuttle bus will drop off at the footbridge, which is stepped and so not accessible for wheelchair users. For the disabled parking on the right side of the canal you need to come in by the Castlefield Street and Lower Bedford Street entrance (Sat Nav ST4 7AF)

The site is also in walking distance from Festival park and Hanley. You can also access the festival walking or cycling along the towpaths of the Trent & Mersey and Caldon canals to the junction at Etruria. If you’re coming by train the site is a 20-minute walk along the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath from Stoke station, just head north and enjoy a pleasant walk to the festival. If you are coming by bus you can use the no 101 service or the no 38 service.

Accessable 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

If you are registered disabled there are places in the main museum car park off Kilndown Close (ST1 4RB) BUT as entry to the site this way is via a staircase footbridge over the canal this only shortens the distance to walk and cannot be used by a wheelchair.

For the accessable parking on the right side of the canal you need to come in by the Castlefield Street and Lower Bedford Street entrance (Sat Nav ST4 7AF). This leads to a small number of disabled parking spaces on the right side of the canal.

Please get in touch if you have further access questions (info@b-arts.org.uk // 07557 797695) or speak to a steward on the day.

Dogs on leads are very welcome at the festival AND on the Shuttle bus. There will be a first aid tent on the main field.

There are toilets inside at the museum (including disabled toilet and baby change). This can be accessed from the side entrance which is flat. There will also be 5 portaloos in the top section of the field with a hand sanitation area next to them.

For more information contact the festival co-ordinator Rebecca Frankenberg E: Rebecca.frankenberg@b-arts.org.uk or T: 07557 797695