What's new: Gladstone Pottery Museum will reopen in January 2027 and remain open throughout the winter months for the third consecutive year.
Why it matters: The extended season gives residents and tourists more opportunities to explore the UK's last complete Victorian coal-fired pottery factory.
Worth knowing: The museum was ranked third in Time Out's list of the UK's best museums in 2026.
What's next: Winter opening hours will run from Wednesday to Sunday, with summer hours beginning on 31 March 2027.
One of the country's top museums will once again welcome visitors through the winter months when Gladstone Pottery Museum reopens in January.
The award-winning Longton attraction will open throughout January, February and March for the third consecutive year.
The move will give visitors even more opportunities to explore one of Britain's best museums.
In 2026, Time Out ranked Gladstone third in its list of the UK's best museums. The museum has also enjoyed success over the years at the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards and the Collections Trust Awards.
As the UK's last complete Victorian coal-fired pottery factory, Gladstone 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 one of the country's finest collections of decorative tiles, charting the development of ceramic design and manufacture over the centuries.
Meanwhile, Flushed with Pride explores the history of the toilet and the important role Stoke-on-Trent's potters played in its development. Packed with interactive exhibits, the gallery reveals how the city's ceramics industry helped shape a product found in homes across the world.
Gladstone first extended its season in 2025 as part of celebrations marking Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary and the museum's 50th anniversary. Before then, the museum traditionally closed between November and March, apart from special events.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty, governance and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "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.
"It’s one of Stoke-on-Trent's most important visitor attractions and is recognised nationally as one of the country's leading museums. As the UK's last complete Victorian coal-fired pottery factory, it gives people the opportunity to explore the buildings, workshops and bottle ovens of the industry that made our city world-famous.
“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 Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Summer opening hours will start on Wednesday 31 March 2027 when the museum will be open until 5pm and 4pm on Sundays.
For opening times and admission prices, visit www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm.
Jenna Goodwin
Jenna Goodwin
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