It's a few weeks before Christmas. The kids are wrapping up the term and you're all getting excited for Christmas. Spirits are high all around. To celebrate the festive season, you want to treat your family to a memorable Winter Day Trip in the Midlands. Something out of the ordinary. Something that will be a fun and memorable experience for everyone, setting the scene for a perfect festive season.
While Staffordshire certainly isn't short on family-friendly activities that will keep mom, dad, and a couple of kids entertained on a summer's day, finding that ideal blend smack-dab in the middle of winter is a bit more of a challenge. With wind, rain, and sleet a constant threat to a family fun day, picking the right route and stops along the way can be the difference between a day you fondly talk about for years or "that day my family almost froze to death in the countryside".
After scratching our heads over the issue for a while, we put together an itinerary of fun and family-friendly adventures and activities that all fit into one day. It's packed with great activities that both parents and children can immerse themselves in, top-rated spots to grab a bite, and, to top it all off, something special at the end of the day to give your Christmas spirit a boost. All of the stops are comfortably within 2 hours of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, and Birmingham, and we tried our best to keep driving between the stops to a minimum. While most of the day is spent indoors, do grab a coat for an afternoon stretch in the winter sun.
In a nutshell, the perfect Winter Day Trip with Kids in Staffordshire looks like this: Kick the day off with an incredible activity that everyone will love and comes with its own built-in souvenir —an early morning pottery painting experience at the Emma Bridgewater Factory where you and your family can decorate a custom set of plates that will be posted to you. Next, it's time to start working up an appetite at Clip 'n Climb, where an hour of clambering about their inventive obstacles is great fun for all ages. Now hungry, it's time for lunch at an amazing country cottage cafe, followed by an incredible wildlife experience at Peak Wildlife Park. For the perfect end to a perfect day, it's off to Churnet Valley Railway to meet Santa aboard the Polar Express, a vintage steam train ride full of Christmas spirit and joy.
Important notes before setting off:
- A lot of these attractions and activities get very busy over the Christmas season. Please book your experiences in advance to avoid disappointment. We will provide links to booking pages wherever relevant.
- Spending an entire day indoors is no fun. Grab a coat and an umbrella before leaving to get the most out of Peak Wildlife Park.
- The Polar Express Train Ride™ encourages passengers to come dressed in their pyjamas, just like in the movie. You can add a layer of mystery to the day by telling the kids (and your spouse?) to pack pyjamas, but not extra clothes or their toothbrushes, for a lovely surprise at the end of the day.
Make getting from stop to stop easier with our free companion map:
Stop #1: Early Morning Pottery Painting Experience | Emma Bridgewater Factory
Our day of adventure kicks off at the Emma Bridgewater Factory, one of the largest pottery manufacturers based entirely in the UK, where you and the family will join others in painting your very own set of 8½” plates. With dozens of ways to decorate your plate, you could attempt some sort of family theme or, more realistically, just enjoy the good time as everyone gets to work on their masterpiece.
Emma Bridgewater's work should be familiar if you're into fine pottery and ceramics. With a wide range of unique collections and original pieces to choose from, this first stop is also a fantastic excuse to grab something that will brighten up your home.
Their first Early Bird Decorating Session starts at 9:30 and lasts about an hour. When you're done, your works will be fired and posted to you in about two weeks. Bookings are essential.
- Expected costs:
- Early Bird Decorating Session @ £15 per person.
- Prebooking required:
- Yes. You can book here.
- Time check:
- Start at 09:30, leave by 10:45
- Address:
- Lichfield St, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3EJ
- Website:
- https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk
Stop #2: Monkeying Around | Clip 'n Climb
Admittedly, this stop is a bit more aimed at the children; however, sprightly and more adventurous young parents will also find plenty to do at Clip 'n Climb. For those not in the know, Clip 'n Climb has over 350 climbing centres around the globe. They specialise in offering a wide variety of climbing surfaces, walls, and obstacles that will challenge people of all ages, sizes, and physical abilities. Their soft play area is ideal for children under the age of four, giving toddlers a safe space to play while their older siblings are going wild on the bigger toys.
With a mezzanine cafe where you can recharge with a coffee and something sweet while watching the kids burn off their extra energy, Clip 'n Climb is the perfect place to join in the fun for however long you wish, then relax as the kids play. With sessions lasting around 55 minutes, they'll be sure to work up an appetite for lunch at our next stop.
- Expected costs:
- £14 per climber.
- Prebooking required:
- No, but prebooking is recommended during the holidays. You can book here.
- Time check:
- Aim to start climbing by 11:30 and leave by around 12:45
- Address:
- Unit 6, Douglas Park, Opal Way, Stone ST15 0YJ
- Website:
- https://stoke.clipnclimb.co.uk
Stop #3: Lunch | The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe
The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe is a well-known gem in the Midlands and the perfect lunch spot for a family with children. Mommy and Daddy can take a breather while the kids enjoy the kiddie play area and order off the kids menu. Their lunch menu features both local and international favourites and more than enough options to satisfy even a picky eater.
This restaurant is definitely one to check out if you value businesses that go out of their way to source their ingredients from local suppliers and sources. And, with a bakery and gift shop onsite, gives you another opportunity to grab a tasty souvenir to be enjoyed later.
- Expected costs:
- Entrees ranging between £7 and £14, breakfasts ranging between £5 and £12
- Prebooking required:
- No. Walk-ins are welcome
- Time check:
- You should arrive here at around 13:30. Aim to stay for 1 or 1.5 hours.
- Address:
- Ashbourne Road, Winkhill, ST13 7PN
- Website:
- https://the-cottagekitchen.co.uk
Stop #4: Wildlife Experience | Peak Wildlife Park
Just around the corner from The Cottage Kitchen Country Cafe, you'll find Peak Wildlife Park. This wildlife experience brings you up close and personal with a range of iconic and endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles from around the world. Peak Wildlife Park aims to educate, conserve, and entertain, all the while helping to preserve some of our more fragile species. They offer zookeeper-guided tours where children learn more about the species they're interacting with and even get the chance to feed some of the friendlier residents.
Being the middle of winter, it might be a little bit on the cooler side at Peak Wildlife Park; however, if you've remembered to check the weather and pack accordingly, you and the kids should have a fantastic time interacting with some of our furry and feathered friends.
Since all of their tours are one-on-one with a zookeeper, pre-booking is essential.
- Expected costs:
- Adults: £21 | Children: £19. Individual experiences at an extra charge
- Prebooking required:
- Yes. You can book here
- Time check:
- Aim to arrive between 15:30 and 16:00
- Address:
- Winkhill, Leek, ST13 7QR
- Website:
- https://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk
Stop #5: Train Ride to the North Pole | Churnet Valley Railway
Our last stop for the day will live in your children's memories forever!
Churnet Valley Railway, a Staffordshire tourism mainstay, offers spectacular themed rides aboard their authentic and vintage restored steam trains. Around Christmas time, they offer a ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express, recreating the magic of the 2004 hit movie based on Chris van Allsburg's 1985 children's classic.
Every year, children and parents from around the country flock to the Kingsley and Froghall station to have their Polar Express tickets punched. Onboard, each and every pyjama-clad child gets to enjoy the best hot chocolate in the world, join in the singing and dancing, meet the story's eclectic characters, and even get a chance to meet Santa Claus himself. If you're good, he might even give you an early little Christmas present ...
Bookings for that magical event that brings so much Christmas spirit to little ones are essential and have opened up for the 2024 season just recently. Tickets go fast, so be sure to secure yours soon.
- Expected costs:
- Tickets range between £23 and £49 per person, depending on optional extras selected.
- Prebooking required:
- Yes
- Time check:
- Be at the platform ready to board no later than 18:00
- Address:
- Kingsley & Froghall Station, Froghall ST10 2HA
- Website:
- https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/polar-express-train-ride
And that's that! The perfect Winter's day out with the kids and family in the Midlands. Done right, you will have bonded over a fun and creative pottery painting session, got in some exercise at Clip 'n Climb, visited a charming and delicious restaurant, spent some time with amazing creatures, and met Kris Kringle himself. What more could you ask of a day out in Staffordshire with the kids?
Remember to download your copy of this article's companion map to make getting around as easy as can be.
Happy and safe travels.
The team at Churnet Valley Railway