Recommendations for things to do in Staffordshire please

[Lottie4]

We are staying near Stoke on Trent for four nights soon, the main reason for our stay in that area being Alton Towers. Can anyone recommend any other things to do in the area - we like most things between us shopping, countryside, history, animals, having fun, eating out.

We loved Shugborough Hall. It's the home of Patrick Lichfield's family. Lovely stately home, but also really interesting to see his private apartments with lots of interesting photos and other stuff.

Trentham estate is good - little shops, monkey forest, lovely gardens, barefoot walks etc.

Cannock chase is beautiful for walking and also has an aerial assault thing called go ape and lots of mountain biking routes.

As the home of the potteries there's lots of things of that nature (visitors centres etc) or you can paint your own pots at places like Emma bridgewater.

Depends what you're into but there's lots more here than people realise, happy to advise a bit more if you let me know what sort of stuff you're into!

The peak district is lovely. Carsington water is great for walks and has a fab outdoor play area.

Thanks for your replies, will start looking into them. Any others are still welcome though!!

If you like walking The Roaches are lovely.

There are also some nice walks in the Longnor area and one of my favourites is Chrome Hill.

Definitely the monkey forest at Trentham.