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Search for the best car hire deals in Stoke-on-Trent
There’s more to Stoke-on-Trent than Wedgwood pottery. Other highlights include the beautiful Italian Gardens of Trentham Estate and scenic walks such as the Two Saints Way. And, thanks to quick links to the M6, with a hire car you could be driving through the Peak District within the hour.
Hiring a car in Stoke-on-Trent city centre
There are a number of car rental companies dotted around Stoke, including international brands such as Europcar, Enterprise and Budget. Europcar is the closest to Stoke-on-Trent train station. Other car hire companies can be found in Fenton and Smithfield. While they are a little harder to reach from the city centre, they can be more convenient if you're heading east.
Driving in Stoke-on-Trent city centre
Stoke has a compact centre located just west of Queensway, the city’s main thoroughfare. While it's easiest to get around on foot in the city centre, you're probably considering a hire car to explore the rest of Staffordshire. Moments from the M6, Stoke-on-Trent is well placed for visits to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, and it's less than an hour from the rolling hills of the Peak District National Park.
Driving in Stoke-on-Trent is fairly uncomplicated. Rush hour, however, is predictably busy, while navigating through the city's smaller roads can be difficult for the unfamiliar driver. If you know where your end destination is, plan your route in advance and have a satnav as a back-up.
There are plenty of parking options in Stoke-on-Trent city centre, including several multi-storey car parks such as John Street and Pall Mall. You'll also find various pay-and-display options, both on and off street, just off the A52. If you're looking for free parking, your best bet is to head south of Hanley Park where you'll find several car parks offering plenty of spaces.
There are two Park and Ride sites, Hinde Street and Broad Street, both located in Hanley at the north of the city centre.
Recommended day trips from Stoke-on-Trent
The Peak District National Park
Driving time: One hour
Sprawling across central England, the Peak District is the site of the nation's first National Park. Around an hour's drive along the A53 from Stoke-on-Trent, it’s perfect both for day trips or longer stays. Visit the quaint tearooms and antique shops in Bakewell or explore the grand halls of the stately Chatsworth House. If you're feeling fit, walk up Mam Tor and follow the Great Ridge for spectacular views over the valleys of Edale and Hope.
Alton Towers
Driving time: 30 minutes
Any Stoke-on-Trent visitor with nerves of steel will want to visit Alton Towers, one of the UK's premier theme parks. A magnet for thrill-seekers, this 19th-century country estate has become best known for its seven rollercoasters, including Nemesis, Oblivion, and, new for 2018, Wicker Man. There's also CBeebies Land for young children, a vast water park and a family hotel if you want to make a weekend of it.
Trentham Estate and Gardens
Driving time: 10 minutes
Whether you fancy a round of golf, a spot of shopping or to meet the famous Stoke monkeys, the Trentham Estate is one of the best days out from Stoke-on-Trent. Take a leisurely stroll through the Italianate-style formal gardens and explore Trentham Monkey Forest where 140 Barbary macaque monkeys roam free. There's also a garden centre and a shopping village, with independent retailers and big brands lined up in pretty timber lodges.