Visit Staffordshire

14/09/2026

13 Awards. One Incredible County. Staffordshire: The Nation's Playground

We couldn’t be prouder! 💛

Staffordshire’s world-class attractions have brought home an incredible 13 awards at the 2026 UK Theme Park Awards! 👏

A huge congratulations to Alton Towers, which picked up an amazing nine awards, including GOLD for Best Landscaped Theme Park and GOLD for Best Brand Activation for Minecraft: Meet the Mobs. 🎉🏆

And the celebrations don’t stop there!

🚂 Drayton Manor brought home three awards, recognising everything from magical Christmas experiences and fantastic value to family fun in Thomas Land.

👻 And Screamfest at the National Forest Adventure Farm, near Burton upon Trent, took SILVER for Scream Park of the Year, adding another fantastic win to Staffordshire’s collection.
Staffordshire knows how to play BIG. 🎢✨

These awards are a fantastic recognition of the talented, passionate people behind our attractions who work tirelessly to create incredible memories for millions of visitors.

13 awards. Three brilliant Staffordshire attractions. One very proud Nation’s Playground. ❤️
A huge congratulations to everyone involved! 🏆👏

11/09/2026

🏆 This is it. The final week to enter the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2027.

If you've been thinking about entering, now is the time.
Celebrate your success. Recognise your team. Raise your profile. Showcase your business alongside the very best of the region's visitor economy.

Enter now: Enjoy Staffordshire -
⏰ Entries close at 11:59pm on Sunday 13 September. No further extensions.

👉 Don't miss your chance to be part of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's biggest celebration of tourism excellence. Enter today.

VisitEngland VisitBritain

11/09/2026

🎃👻 Staffy has picked up some spooky news from Tamworth... 👻🎃
He's heard that something ancient has been disturbed beneath Tamworth Castle... and now strange sounds, eerie shadows and mysterious Magical Mason's Marks are appearing throughout the castle! 😱

🕯️From 24 October to 1 November, join The Curse Beneath the Castle and help restore the castle's magical protection before whatever lurks below escapes...
But that's not all...
⚡ Experience a candlelit retelling of Frankenstein on 24 October
👣 Encounter restless spirits on the Wandering Spirits Ghost Walk on 30 and 31 October
🧟 Take on zombie-themed tabletop battles with Tamworth Games Club's Zombie Wargaming Day on 31 October

🎃 This October half-term, Tamworth Castle has a spine-tingling adventure waiting for brave ghost hunters, history lovers and families alike. 👻

🐾 Staffy's top tip: Keep your eyes peeled for hidden clues as you explore the castle... 👀
📍 Tamworth Castle
📅 24 October - 1 November

🔗 Find out more and plan your spooky adventure: https://tamworthcastle.co.uk

10/09/2026

We're excited to be part of SUMMIT's Up 2026: Cultural Development Day on Wednesday 16th September in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

Presented by Stoke Creates and the Exchange Forum, this FREE festival-style day brings together artists, freelancers, cultural organisations, community groups and funders from across the region for a day of ideas, practical support and connection in the heart of Hanley's Cultural Quarter.

Taking the keynote stage: Andy Spinoza, the writer, communicator and author of Manchester Unspun, sharing his insight on culture, place and city-building.

And our very own Olivia Thackstone will be hosting a workshop on the day too around Visitor Economy!

Expect keynote talks, panel discussions, professional development workshops, one-to-one sessions with Arts Council England, free headshots, networking and an evening drinks reception to round things off.

Day passes are free - grab yours and come and be part of the conversation shaping the creative future in Stoke-on-Trent. Get pass here: https://tr.ee/3mI2wQ

10/09/2026

🚨 FREE LIVE MUSIC THIS SEPTEMBER! 🚨

Get ready for an unforgettable day as Sonic Boom Festival 2026 returns to Burton upon Trent on Saturday 12 September.

🎤 Hosted by BBC 6 Music's Chris Hawkins
🎸 Featuring PALE WAVES, The Lilacs, The League of Rebelz , Vona Vella, Terrianne and local Burton favourites The Missing Diamonds.

🎶 Plus, Aftershock keeps the music going from 8pm with free gigs across Burton upon Trent. With a packed programme featuring Floodhounds, Joseph Hooligan, tealdeer, Marseille, Willow Bay, Zebedee, Rose Melba, Matt Kel, King of Wands, Lilly Sphire, James Glew, Mollie Ralph and more, festival-goers can venue-hop across the town and enjoy original live music late into the evening.

🎟️ Free festival. Big atmosphere. Unmissable live music.

This is one event you won't want to miss!
👉 Explore the line-up and plan your visit: https://festival.sonicboom.org.uk/

Saturday 12th September 2026, in Burton upon Trent. The free Main Stage area runs midday to 8pm, followed by our Aftershock venues from 8pm until late.

10/09/2026

🎉 Double success for Staffordshire Moorlands! 🎉

We're delighted to celebrate two Staffordshire businesses who have been recognised with a prestigious VisitEngland ROSE Award, celebrating excellence in customer service.

👏 Quarry House Moneystone, Oakamoor
👏 Hills, Alstonefield

These awards recognise accommodation providers that go above and beyond to create exceptional visitor experiences. Both businesses are shining examples of the warm welcome, quality and hospitality that Staffordshire is known for, and their commitment to excellence has earned them well-deserved national recognition.

We're incredibly proud to see Staffordshire represented among this year's winners and thank them for all they do to support our thriving visitor economy.

💚 Join us in congratulating the teams behind these fantastic businesses!

👉 Find out more about places to stay and explore in Staffordshire:
https://www.visitstaffordshire.com



📸 Photo credit: Booking.com (Quarry House)

09/09/2026

Looking for a weekend filled with big ideas, fascinating stories and inspiring conversations? ✨

Enlighten at Lichfield returns to Lichfield Cathedral from 2-4 October, bringing together some of the UK's most respected broadcasters, historians, authors and thinkers.

🎙️ Jonathan Dimbleby explores conflict, humanity and the challenges of achieving lasting peace.

✨Sir Simon Jenkins examines the forces that have shaped America and what today's divisions reveal about its future.

🎵 Professor Alana Harris uncovers how music transformed psychiatric care in post-war Britain.

🌟 Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason shares a powerful reflection on race, creativity, resilience and belonging.

🎻 Anne Sebba discusses the extraordinary story of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz and the power of music in the darkest of times.

✝️ Fr Jamie Franklin, Bijan Omrani and Nick Spencer debate whether Christianity still has a role in shaping modern society and navigating the challenges of AI.

💬 The Revd Dr Gillian Straine and Nicky Burr explore identity, faith, healing and belonging through compassionate conversation.

With the stunning backdrop of Lichfield Cathedral, this thought-provoking festival offers a unique opportunity to engage with new ideas in one of Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent's most iconic settings. ✨

📅 2-4 October 2026
📍 Lichfield Cathedral & The Close
🎟️ Tickets start from £12 per talk and can be booked via: www.enlighten-lichfield.org

08/09/2026

🎄⚽ Your biggest night of the festive season starts at the Bet365 Stadium! ⚽🎄
Celebrate Christmas in style with stunning views of the iconic pitch, a delicious three-course meal, and fantastic live entertainment from a DJ and saxophonist. 🥂🎷✨

Party packages are available every Friday and Saturday night from 4th to 19th December, making it the perfect choice for work Christmas parties, celebrations with friends, or a festive night out to remember. Places are £55 per person (inc. VAT), with payment options available.

⚠️ Don't wait too long to book! Dates are already filling up fast, and Friday 11th December has already sold out.
🎥 Take a look at what's in store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyZPJDyb8jI
📧 To secure your place, email [email protected] or call 01782 592114.

👉 Read our blog to get inspired, check availability and discover even more fantastic Christmas party venues across Staffordshire before the best dates are gone!
🎄 https://www.visitstaffordshire.com/be-inspired/blog/post/christmas-parties-in-staffordshire/

🎄 Book early, secure your preferred date, and make this year's Christmas celebration one to remember before the best nights are gone!

🎄🥂✨

Follow Stoke City on social media:Facebook: https://facebook.com/...

07/09/2026

✨🌿 FREE PRE-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THIS SEPTEMBER 🌿✨
Looking for a fun day out with the little ones this autumn? 🍂

Hockerhill Playbarn is hosting a series of FREE nature-inspired activities for pre-schoolers, including mud painting, potion making, nature crowns, stick hedgehogs and more! 🌿🦔✨

The best part? They can get gloriously messy while you don't have to worry about the clean-up! 😆

These special sessions are designed to spark imagination, creativity and a love of the outdoors, while giving little explorers the chance to get hands-on with nature.
🌟 Included with standard admission
🌟 Perfect for pre-schoolers
🌟 Plenty of play before and after the activities
🌟 No messy house to clean afterwards!

Get ready for magical memories, muddy hands and big smiles this September at Hockerhill. 💚
📍 Brewood, Staffordshire
👉 www.hockerhill.com

07/09/2026

🚨 1 WEEK TO GO!🚨

Just one week left to enter the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2027!

Have you started your application but not quite finished it? Now's the perfect time to complete it.

Haven't entered yet? There's still time to tell your story and showcase everything that makes your business special.

🏅 Recognition
🌟 Exposure both locally and for our winners nationally
🎉 A chance to celebrate your team's achievements

Don't forget the deadline is THIS SUNDAY 13th September at 23:59 hrs.
Don't miss out. The deadline will be here before you know it!

🔗 Apply today: https://visitengland-chapters.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/STA/home
OR visit www.visitstaffordshire.com/awards to find out more!