Could I enjoy a day out in Stoke?!!

[puffling]

Put this in another section too but thought my get more replies here.

I want to meet my friends half way between Manchester and Birmingham and Stoke appears to be half way on the train map.
What could we do for a few hours in walking distance from the train station?
Are there any lovely restaurants?

bump

at lovely restaurants in Stoke.

Bear with me and I'll have a think.

I had to kill a couple of hours at Stoke railway station a year or two bad. Never again.

I'd be really really hard pressed to think of anywhere I'm afraid. Watching with interest though!

Suggest you meet either in Manchester or Birmingham then do a return visit at some point...

The problem is that the station really isn't very central. It's close to Stoke town but Stoke town isn't the City Centre, Hanley is and that's a bus ride away. Confused?

Well, you may enjoy it....

...but some people enjoy enemas rofl

No, it's an armpit of a place

go somewhere else

share a taxi to Trentham Lake/Gardens?

GS - is Stafford town centre a better idea?

Don't do it- Stoke sucks

Stafford marginally better

the whole revolting urban sprawl is just best avoided IMO

Newcastle-under-Lyme used to have the odd decent eatery

If I were you I'd swallow it and some of you go all the way to Manc or Brum (Manc would be my choice) or if you all want a change try Nottingham; fairly comparable on train routes I think...

Stoke is a hole - only good things from Stoke are pottery and Robbie Williams

I'm from Stoke.

So am I Clayhead - but you know it's all true

TRantham Gardens a good bet if you can stretch to the taxi. And it's not that far from the station. Newcastle isn't that much better than Stoke TBH - they just like to think they are lol!

Ah that's better.

Sorry that's Trentham Gardens.

...and Clayhead and Saggars obviously

Hey I live not too far from Stoke, although don't venture there often. Saggar is right, Trentham is very nice but can be a bit pricey we've found.

Clayhead, not only do we share fantastic holiday destinations but also great taste in home locations too .

Will google Trentham Gardens.
What about Stafford? Should we meet there?

I'm from Stoke too

Yeah but you escaped lol.

Oooh I've had an inspiration - Shrewsbury is sort of half way between the two, and IS nice.

Another Stokie.

If you find somewhere, please do let me know!

Trentham Lakes is quite pleasant, as long as it's not at the weekend.

Agree Newcastle is no better than Hanley, and Stoke is a definite nono.

Nothing in walking distance, but a lovely Chinese restaurant on the A34, the Benihana(?) perhaps you could get a cab there? I have had a lot of lovely meals there when going back to my parents.

I'm from Stoke. There are lots of lovely places (Rrentham Gardens being one and they do gorgous cakes) but anywhere within walking distance of the station is urgh. There is a hotel directly opposite (where my wedding reception was held) which is OK but basically the area around the station is student territory. Right next to Staffs Uni and just loads of terrace houses, flats and not much else really.

You could walk into Stoke itself but apart from a huge Sainsbury's and a few shops there isn't much.

You could walk up the road and visit me at work !!!!!!!!!

Agog