Attractions and Places To See around Hanley - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Hanley offer a diverse range of experiences, blending the area's rich heritage with natural landscapes. Located in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, the region features notable landmarks, expansive green spaces, and cultural institutions. Visitors can explore various points of interest, from historical sites to recreational areas.
Best attractions and places to see around Hanley
- The most popular attractions is Stanford Bridge Over the River Teme, a river and historical bridge. This site offers views of both the old and new bridges, with the earliest recorded bridge dating back to 1548.
- Another must-see spot is Kingswood Common, a forest with well-kept footpaths. Visitors can enjoy rambles along the River Teme and views of the verdant Teme Valley.
- Visitors also love Tenbury Wells Town Centre, a settlement known for its listed buildings and central location. It provides options for coffee or lunch at various pubs and cafes.
- Hanley is known for its historical sites, natural parks, and cultural institutions. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient churches to town centers.
- The attractions around Hanley are appreciated by the komoot community. With more than 10 upvotes and over 10 photos, these spots offer diverse experiences.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
St Peter's Church, Martley
Highlight • Religious Site
Parish church. Early C12, early C13 and circa 1315, restored 1875, 1884 and 1909. Last restoration by Sir Charles Nicholson. Ashlar, plain tile roof. Nave and chancel continuous, west tower, north vestry of 1875, south porch of 1184.
Chancel: three bays, north wall early C13 with two lancets, north vestry; east window: restored Decorated of early C14, three trefoiled lights; south wall: eastern window Decorated with two trefoiled lights, other two larger each with two ogee trefoiled lights, formerly looked into Mortimer chapel (consecrated 1315, demolished), they flank a three-centred-headed priest's door; stepped right angle buttresses to corners.
Nave: three bays, all windows restored: decorated each with two trefoiled lights in both walls. Restored early C12 south door with timber porch of 1884; blocked north door more complete and similar in design; doorway projects c150mm from wall face, with decorated semicircular head and consecration cross; wall has five bays defined by a series of early C12 pilasters, top four courses of naves walls are of alternate bands of red and white sandstone.
West tower: C15 in three stages divided by moulded string, moulded plinth, embattled parapet with pinnacles of 1909 to diagonal corner buttresses. C15 Perpendicular west window with three cinquefoiled lights; first stage has single trefoiled lights, bell chamber has windows with two cinquefoiled lights under two-centred head.
INTERIOR: chancel: double aumbry in north wall, piscina in south wall with priests head to label stop; nave: entrance to rood stairs and above rood left door, stairs were in an external projection, now lost; tower arch of two chamfered orders with moulded abaci at springing.
Roofs: similar over nave and chancel, slightly lower pitch to chancel, collar-rafter roof with straight braces from rafter to collar and ashlar pieces, five tie beams in nave, two in chancel, probably early C14. A framed tympanum divides the nave from the chancel roof, probably C17.
Fittings: wall paintings in nave of C15 including St Martin on horseback dividing his cloak for the beggar; in chancel wall paintings of late C13 and C15, including C15 canopy design on east wall, and a C15 Annunciation group on the south wall. A few late C15 Malvern tiles in chancel floor; early C20 screen, font, pulpit and organ. Late C15 recumbent effigy of alabaster against north wall of chancel, ridged coffin lid to south with traces of incised cross and pastoral staff. The two eastern windows in the south wall of the nave and central window in north wall are of circa 1915 by Walter E Tower.
Source: britishlistedbuildings
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Ruins of St Michael's Church, Abberley
Highlight • Historical Site
The church and tower are built of sandstone ashlar, faced externally and internally, except that the chapel walls are partly covered internally with a thin coat of plaster. The tower, nave and western portion of the chancel date from the early 12th century; about a hundred years later the chancel was lengthened eastwards, while the south chapel was added c. 1260, and the south aisle towards the end of the same century. Very little seems to have been done to the fabric till modern times, with the exception of the buttressing of the north wall of the nave in the 14th century and the insertion of a window in this wall in the 15th century. By the middle of the 19th century the fabric had been allowed to fall into considerable disrepair, and was abandoned, a new church being erected in 1852 on a site about a quarter of a mile to the north-west. In 1908 the chancel and chapel were put into a state of repair, and are now used for services. The nave and aisle are roofless and in a very ruinous condition, the walls being overgrown with ivy, while, with the exception of the north and east walls, only the lower stage of the tower, now covered with a pent roof, remains.
The chancel has a three-light east window with original internal jambs and a wood frame of the early 19th century. The gable has been rebuilt in brickwork. At the north-east are two early 13thcentury lancets placed close together, forming twin lights; they have internal labels with head-stops, and stepped sills. To the west of these can be seen a straight joint in the walling, showing the junction between the work of the 12th century and that of the succeeding century. To the west of this again is an early 12th-century single-light window with a round head and stepped sill. High in the wall above can be seen the lines of two blocked clearstory windows. The easternmost window on the south side is a wide single light with a pointed head, plastered internally; this has evidently been formed out of twin lights similar to those on the north, the central jambs having been removed, probably in the late 16th century, while the outside has been rebuilt at a modern period in brick with rounded edges. About the middle of the wall is the east jamb of an early 12th-century light similar to that on the north. This was doubtless blocked in the 13th century, when the arch to the south chapel was pierced. This last is a low two-centred drop arch of two chamfered orders on the chancel side and plain on the side towards the chapel. The east respond has an impost moulding at the springing of the arch, enriched with the dog-tooth and having a king's head at the southern angle, while on the chancel side there is a small engaged round shaft with capital and base. Above the arch are the lower parts of two wide clearstory windows, now inclosed below the aisle roof. The jambs, which are of mediaeval character, have no grooves for glazing, and are now covered by the wall-plate of the chancel roof. There is an old plain square-headed aumbry near the centre of the north wall, and another aumbry opposite to it on the south. The wide two-centred chancel arch is probably of the 13th century. It is now blocked, the only part exposed being plastered. In the blocking is reset an early 12th-century doorway taken from the north wall of the nave and now very much weatherworn and decayed; the jambs have each a single engaged shaft with a rudimentary leaf capital and plain chamfered abacus, but no base. The semicircular head is enriched with cheveron ornament and has a simple chamfered label.
At the east end of the south wall of the south chapel is an original window of two wide plain pointed lights under a two-centred head. To the west of this is a plain semicircular-headed doorway, probably of the early 18th century; the wide singlelight window on the west is formed by the modern filling in of the flying arch by which the chapel must have originally opened to the aisle. In the north wall of the nave is a late 15th-century window, originally, no doubt, of two lights, but the tracery has now gone. To the west of this is a wide gap in the wall, from which the doorway in the chancel arch has been taken. This wall is strengthened in the centre by a large 14th-century buttress, and by one of the same period at the west end, while two modern flying buttresses have also been added; the western part beyond the gap is further retained by a solid block of masonry. Of the south arcade, which was of three bays, only the two pillars and the east arch remain, the latter held in position by an iron tie. The pillars are circular with square plinths and circular moulded capitals; the remaining arch is pointed and of two chamfered orders, springing from twin corbels upon the east respond. The work dates from the late 13th century, but is very much weatherworn and decayed. The west wall at a modern period has had an additional 1 ft. 10 in. added to its thickness on the inside, which has been carried to a short distance above the tower doorway; this doorway has a semicircular arch with a simple splayed edge, and is probably of 14th-century date.
There are three windows in the south wall of the aisle. The arch of the easternmost is broken away and the jambs are too much defaced to indicate its date; the other two are of the late 13th century and are each of two trefoiled lights under a square head. Both are very much weatherworn, but the western one is the more perfect. Between them is the 12th-century south doorway which was moved out from the south wall of the nave on the erection of the aisle; it has a semicircular arch of two moulded orders, a plain tympanum with strapwork border, and two engaged shafts in the jambs, with capitals which have evidently been carved, but no bases; all is very much decayed and the outer order of the arch has been partly broken away.
The tower remains intact only in the lower stage. There is an original 12th-century round-headed light in the south wall, but above this the wall has been cut away to follow the slope of the roof which now covers in the remaining portion of the tower. On the west side is the lower part of a similar window, the arch of which with the wall above has gone, while the outer stonework of the jambs has been defaced. Below this window is a blocked doorway. The north wall remains up to the second stage of the tower. There is a double-chamfered string-course at the level of the window sills of the first stage, the lower chamfer of which on the north side is relieved with checker ornament.
The chancel is covered by a trussed oak roof of the late 14th century, with foiled wind-braces and principals having collars and spandrel pieces. The aisle has a lean-to plaster ceiling. The east window is filled with early 19th-century heraldic glass, and in the south window of the chancel is a shield, Gules five wings saltirewise argent, for Porter, quartering Argent three helmets sable for Miniett, and Barry argent and sable three cotton hanks or, for Haywood. There is an 18th-century oak chest in the chapel. The eastern part of the chapel is screened off by a good 18th-century iron screen with plain vertical bars.
On the south wall of the chancel is a marble monument, with two inscribed tablets, divided and flanked by Ionic columns resting on consoles and supporting an entablature crowned by a segmental pediment. The first tablet is to Elizabeth, wife of William Walshe and daughter of Sir George Blount of Sodington, who died in 1645, and above it is a shield charged with the fesse and martlets of Walshe impaling the barry wavy of Blount. The other tablet is to Ann, wife of George Walshe and daughter of John Collins of Suffolk, who died in 1679. The shield above bears the arms of Walshe impaling a griffon for Collins; the shields in both cases are uncoloured. Near the chancel arch, on the south wall, is a small oval monument, much worn, to John Chapman, rector, who died in 1690, and at the west end of the chancel is a slate tablet to John Brasier, who died in 1683. On the north wall of the chapel are monuments to Thomas Bury, who died in 1769, and Ann his wife, who died in 1761, and to Thomas Severn, who died in 1780, while on the south wall is a monument to Thomas Bury, who died in 1778. There are several 18th-century floor slabs in the chapel to the Walshe family, and one to Stephen Marsh, 'coroner of this county,' who died in 1705. Standing detached on the sill of one of the north windows in the chancel is a diminutive recumbent effigy of a knight in armour of circa 1400. The little figure is of a light sandstone, and measures 9 2/8 in. by 2¼ in. The head rests upon a horse's head and the feet upon a dog, and the hands are in the attitude of prayer; the lower part of the right leg, the left foot, and the right elbow are broken away.
There is one old bell, cast at York, which is now cracked and placed on a wood frame in the chapel. It dates from the 15th century, and was probably the tenor, and is inscribed 'Ave Gracia Plena Dominus Tecum.' The initials are crowned, and the maker's stamp, three bells on a shield, is four times repeated.
The plate consists of a silver stand paten of 1714, given by Elizabeth Walshe in 1715, and a modern chalice and cover paten and flagon.
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i) baptisms and burials 1559 to 1804, marriages 1559 to 1754; (ii) containing marriages 1754 to 1792 is missing; (iii) baptisms 1805 to 1813, burials 1805 to 1836, marriages 1792 to 1813.
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Tenbury Wells Town Centre
Highlight • Pub
there are a large number of listed buildings in Tenbury including several of the iconic 17th century half timber construction.
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Kingswood Common
Highlight • Forest
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Stanford Bridge Over the River Teme
Highlight • River
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Tips from the Community
Doors open, with a visitor book to sign.
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Fine church with lovely grounds, made from the local sandstone.
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A secluded nature reserve alongside the Teme, quite open at one end and enclosed and overgrown at the Martley end.
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Well kept footpaths through the woods. Trail along the Teme bank, or higher up the valley. Off road shoes essential, mind your step for some tree roots.
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Quite a busy bridge on B-road to Tenbury. However, water in River Teme is brilliant as always, so may be worth stopping right before the bridge.
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Little, though lovely town, on the border of Shropshire and Worcestershire counties. Very beautiful high street with some cafés
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Great to stop for a coffee or lunch, plenty of pubs and little cafes on the high street. Pembroke House or the Fountain Inn have some really good lunch menus. If you fancy a hill challenge you can take the road from Tenbury to Clee Hill.
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A large village church with 12th century Norman origins and work from several later periods. The tower is 15th century. The church was restored in 1909 by Sir Charles Nicholson. There is an excellent west window by Tom Denny, 1999. Parish church. Early C12, early C13 and circa 1315, restored 1875, 1884 and 1909. Last restoration by Sir Charles Nicholson. Ashlar, plain tile roof. Nave and chancel continuous, west tower, north vestry of 1875, south porch of 1184. Chancel: three bays, north wall early C13 with two lancets, north vestry; east window: restored Decorated of early C14, three trefoiled lights; south wall: eastern window Decorated with two trefoiled lights, other two larger each with two ogee trefoiled lights, formerly looked into Mortimer chapel (consecrated 1315, demolished), they flank a three-centred-headed priest's door; stepped right angle buttresses to corners. Nave: three bays, all windows restored: decorated each with two trefoiled lights in both walls. Restored early C12 south door with timber porch of 1884; blocked north door more complete and similar in design; doorway projects c150mm from wall face, with decorated semicircular head and consecration cross; wall has five bays defined by a series of early C12 pilasters, top four courses of naves walls are of alternate bands of red and white sandstone. West tower: C15 in three stages divided by moulded string, moulded plinth, embattled parapet with pinnacles of 1909 to diagonal corner buttresses. C15 Perpendicular west window with three cinquefoiled lights; first stage has single trefoiled lights, bell chamber has windows with two cinquefoiled lights under two-centred head. INTERIOR: chancel: double aumbry in north wall, piscina in south wall with priests head to label stop; nave: entrance to rood stairs and above rood left door, stairs were in an external projection, now lost; tower arch of two chamfered orders with moulded abaci at springing. Roofs: similar over nave and chancel, slightly lower pitch to chancel, collar-rafter roof with straight braces from rafter to collar and ashlar pieces, five tie beams in nave, two in chancel, probably early C14. A framed tympanum divides the nave from the chancel roof, probably C17. Fittings: wall paintings in nave of C15 including St Martin on horseback dividing his cloak for the beggar; in chancel wall paintings of late C13 and C15, including C15 canopy design on east wall, and a C15 Annunciation group on the south wall. A few late C15 Malvern tiles in chancel floor; early C20 screen, font, pulpit and organ. Late C15 recumbent effigy of alabaster against north wall of chancel, ridged coffin lid to south with traces of incised cross and pastoral staff. The two eastern windows in the south wall of the nave and central window in north wall are of circa 1915 by Walter E Tower. Source: britishlistedbuildings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Hanley?
Hanley and its surroundings offer several historical sites. You can visit St Peter's Church, Martley, a large village church with 12th-century Norman origins and later additions. Another significant historical spot is the Stanford Bridge Over the River Teme, with records of a bridge at this site dating back to 1548. The Ruins of St Michael's Church, Abberley also provide a glimpse into the area's past with its 12th-century origins.
Are there any family-friendly attractions in Hanley?
Yes, Hanley offers several family-friendly attractions. Tenbury Wells Town Centre is a great place for a family outing, with its listed buildings and various cafes for a coffee or lunch. For outdoor enjoyment, Kingswood Common provides well-kept footpaths through woodlands, perfect for a family ramble. Additionally, the wider Stoke-on-Trent area features Waterworld, a large indoor tropical aqua park, and Adventure Mini Golf, both popular with families.
Where can I find natural attractions or green spaces near Hanley?
For natural beauty and green spaces, Kingswood Common is an excellent choice, offering rambles along the River Teme and beautiful views of the verdant Teme Valley. Hanley Park is a historic public park recognized for its heritage, and Central Forest Park Stoke-on-Trent provides a spacious open area with a picturesque lake, grassy lawns, and a nature reserve for lakeside walks.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do around Hanley?
The area around Hanley is great for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy cycling with routes like 'Grange Court – Tenbury Wells Town Centre loop' or 'Wyre Forest – Wyre Forest Wooden Bridge loop'. For more options, explore the Cycling around Hanley guide. If you prefer running, there are trails such as the 'Teme Bridge, Tenbury Wells – Tenbury Wells Town Centre loop'. Find more running routes in the Running Trails around Hanley guide.
Are there any good walking routes near Hanley?
Yes, there are several pleasant walking opportunities. Kingswood Common offers well-maintained footpaths through woodlands and along the River Teme. You can also enjoy lakeside walks at Central Forest Park Stoke-on-Trent. While specific walking routes are not detailed in this guide, many of the cycling and running routes mentioned in the Running Trails around Hanley guide can be adapted for walking.
What are some notable landmarks in Hanley?
Beyond the attractions listed, Hanley features several notable landmarks. The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is a key cultural institution. Hanley Town Hall stands as an architecturally significant Victorian landmark, and Market Square has a rich history as a central point in the town.
Where can I find places for coffee or lunch in the area?
The Tenbury Wells Town Centre is an excellent spot to find places for coffee or lunch. It has a variety of pubs and cafes along its high street, such as Pembroke House or the Fountain Inn, which offer good lunch menus.
Are there any viewpoints around Hanley?
Yes, Kingswood Common offers beautiful views of the verdant Teme Valley, especially vibrant in spring. While not explicitly listed as viewpoints, many of the higher trails in the surrounding areas provide scenic vistas.
What is the best time to visit attractions around Hanley?
The best time to visit depends on your interests. For enjoying the natural beauty of places like Kingswood Common, spring is particularly beautiful when fruit trees and flowers are at their most colourful. Indoor attractions like The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery or Waterworld are suitable for any time of year.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Hanley?
Visitors appreciate the diverse experiences offered, from the historical charm of places like St Peter's Church, Martley and Stanford Bridge Over the River Teme, to the natural beauty and peaceful rambles found at Kingswood Common. The quaint atmosphere and dining options in Tenbury Wells Town Centre are also highly regarded.
Are there any challenging cycling routes near Hanley?
Yes, for those seeking a challenge, the Cycling around Hanley guide includes routes like the 'Gravel Path loop from Stanford with Orleton', which is rated as difficult. If you fancy a hill challenge, you can also take the road from Tenbury to Clee Hill.
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