Barlaston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barlaston |
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 Barlaston Hall |
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 Barlaston
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| Population | 2,858 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SJ894387 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Postcode district | ST12 |
| Dialling code | 01782 |
| Police | Staffordshire |
| Fire | Staffordshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Barlaston is a lovely village in Staffordshire, England. It's located between the city of Stoke-on-Trent and the town of Stone. In 2011, about 2,858 people lived there.
Contents
Barlaston's Past
Barlaston has a rich history with some interesting old buildings.
Old Buildings and Homes
St John's Church
The old church of Saint John is near the famous Wedgwood estate. It was built in 1886, but it kept its old tower from a much older, medieval church. Sadly, the church had to close in 1981 because of damage from mining. A new church was later built on Green Lane.
Barlaston Hall
Barlaston Hall is a beautiful old house built around 1756. It was designed by Sir Robert Taylor (architect). This grand house was once a home for the famous Wedgwood family. It has been carefully fixed up after being damaged over the years.
The World of Wedgwood Pottery
The famous Wedgwood pottery company moved its factory to Barlaston. This big, modern factory was planned in 1936 and built between 1938 and 1940. It was designed by Keith Murray, who also designed Wedgwood pottery.
Today, the factory has a special visitor centre. Here, you can explore the Wedgwood Museum and learn all about the history of pottery. It's a great place to visit and see how these beautiful items are made!
Wedgwood railway station opened in 1940 for the factory. Today, you can still get there by a special bus service that replaces the train.
Getting Around and Local Spots
Barlaston is close to several important routes. The A34 road, the River Trent, the Trent and Mersey Canal, and a National Cycle Network route all pass by the west side of the village. There's also a railway line nearby.
Barlaston railway station opened way back in 1848. While big inter-city trains don't stop there, you can still use a bus service that connects to the railway network. People in Barlaston are working hard to bring back the local train service!
Local buses, run by D&G Bus, also travel through Barlaston. They connect the village to places like Hanley and Stafford.
If you enjoy golf, Barlaston Golf Club is located to the south of the village.
Learning in Barlaston
Barlaston has good schools and learning centres:
- Barlaston First School is a local primary school.
- The Wedgwood Memorial College is a special college in Barlaston. It's a place where adults can take residential courses. It's also the main office for the Esperanto Association of Britain, which promotes the international language Esperanto.
Nature and Green Spaces
Barlaston is surrounded by beautiful nature spots:
- Barlaston and Rough Close Common is a large area of land, about 50 acres, between Barlaston and Blythe Bridge. It's a special local nature reserve, meaning it's protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
- Downs Banks is a lovely area just south-east of Barlaston. It's owned and looked after by the National Trust. Many people know it as 'Barlaston Downs'.
Village Council
Barlaston has a Parish Council made up of eleven people elected by the community. These councillors help make decisions for the village and serve for four years.
Famous People from Barlaston
Many interesting people have connections to Barlaston:
- Francis Wedgwood (1800 – 1888) was a grandson of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood.
- Edward Proctor (1870 – 1944) was an English footballer who played for Stoke and Port Vale.
- Josiah Wedgwood, 1st Baron Wedgwood (1872 – 1943) was a politician and a great-great-grandson of the original Josiah Wedgwood.
- Felix Wedgwood (1877 – 1917) was an English author and soldier who sadly died in World War I.
- Horace Barks (1895 – 1983) was the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent in 1951–52. He was interested in Esperanto and the writer Arnold Bennett.
- Harry Davies (1904 – 1975) was an English footballer who played over 400 games for Stoke City and Port Vale.
Nearby Places to Explore
- Blythe Bridge
- Downs Banks
- Longton
- Meaford
- Meir
- Oulton
- Tittensor
- Trentham
See also
In Spanish: Barlaston para niños
