Hanley Park — Attraction in Stoke-on-Trent

Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent is a delightful blend of sporting excellence and natural beauty that truly captures the heart of anyone who visits. This Grade II listed historic park has been thoughtfully restored to create a wonderful space where active recreation meets peaceful tranquility. The moment you step into the sports zone, you're greeted by impressive all-weather facilities that cater to almost every sporting interest. The football pitch is a particular highlight, featuring a modern synthetic surface with floodlighting that allows for year-round play regardless of weather conditions. The quality of the pitch makes it perfect for both casual kickabouts and more serious training sessions. Basketball enthusiasts will find themselves well catered for with dedicated hoops and a properly fenced court that provides an excellent playing surface. The court layout is well-designed, giving players plenty of space to enjoy the game while feeling secure within the enclosed area. The tennis facilities are truly impressive, boasting four well-maintained courts that have recently undergone major renovation as part of a significant investment program. The courts offer excellent playing surfaces and are positioned to take advantage of the park's natural setting, making every game feel special. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, these courts provide the perfect environment for enjoying this classic sport. Beyond the main sports facilities, the park also accommodates cricket with dedicated wickets and practice nets, while crown green bowling adds a touch of traditional English sporting culture. Hockey players also have access to quality playing surfaces within the versatile sports zone. What makes Hanley Park truly special is how these modern sporting facilities are seamlessly integrated into the park's stunning historic landscape. The beautiful green fields stretch out in all directions, creating a sense of space and freedom that's increasingly rare in urban environments. The carefully maintained lawns provide perfect spots for picnicking, casual games, or simply lying back and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The park's natural beauty is enhanced by a picturesque lake that serves as a focal point for the landscape, complete with restored fountains that add both visual appeal and a soothing soundtrack of flowing water. The views across the park from various vantage points are simply breathtaking, offering glimpses of the restored bandstand, the elegant Pavilion, and the charming Boathouse. Families will appreciate the thoughtful design that includes a sensory play area and children's play zone, while those seeking quieter pursuits can enjoy fishing by the lake or exploring the various public art sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. The restoration work has been carried out with obvious care and attention to detail, preserving the park's historic character while ensuring all facilities meet modern standards. The combination of excellent sports facilities set within such beautiful surroundings makes Hanley Park a genuine gem. Whether you're looking to engage in serious sporting activity or simply want to enjoy a peaceful stroll through well-maintained green spaces, this park delivers an experience that satisfies both body and soul. It's the kind of place that reminds you why public parks are so important to community life, offering something special for visitors of all ages...

Hanley Park is one of the city's heritage parks. It is close to both the City Centre and the railway station. Its facilities include the restored Pavillion Cafe; a restored Boathouse; an all weather, floodlit sports zone for cricket, football, basketball, hockey and tennis; restored bandstand; crown green bowling green; fishing; lake and fountains; sensory play area; children's play zone; and public art sculptures.

The park has undergone a multi-million pound restoration following a successful bid for £4.5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund in 2015 to restore the park’s historic features and attract more park users of all ages. The 60-acre park, which opened in 1897, has had its bandstand restored, the main pavilion reinstated as a café and its boathouse brought back to life along with a whole raft of other improvements. In October 2020, the park was awarded Green Flag status and recognised nationally as a quality green public space by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.

The Pavilion Cafe

The Pavilion Cafe is open all year round, 7 days a week and the menu features local produce, traditional classics, grab-and-go snacks, freshly prepared meals, Cheshire Farm ice cream, afternoon tea and quality hot and cold beverages throughout the day.

Winter opening times Monday to Sunday 10.00am until 3pm,

Summer opening times Monday to Friday 10.00am until 4.00pm, Saturday 8.30am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm

The Pavillion Cafe offers seating for 80 diners inside and space for a further 50 on the outdoor veranda. The cafe has disabled access and a Changing Places well equipped toilet.

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

The Boathouse is available for hire all year round and is ideal for meetings/conferences of up to 50 attendees and social events for up to 100 guests. It is also the ideal location for an intimate champagne & afternoon tea wedding reception.

The Pavilion consists of the East & West Annexe Rooms, ideal for private hire, business meetings and somewhere for the local community to meet in small groups of up to 15 people. The Pavilion is also available for hire in the evenings for hosting events, making the most of the stunning views over the park and surrounding area.

Full Hospitality Brochure is available or refreshments can be purchased from the café.

Hanley Park Sensory Play Area

The popular sensory play area includes a range of play equipment that stimulates a child's senses. The first fully accessible play area of its type in the City, assists able-bodied and children with disabilities to play without limitation.

Hanley Park Sports Zone

The sports zone in Hanley Park opened in 2006, and includes cricket wickets and nets; four tennis courts; a synthetic pitch and hard surfaced, multi-use games area; and a fenced court for basketball, football and other sports.

Amenities at the park include: all weather, floodlit sport court; cricket wickets; bandstand; bowling green; fishing; lake...

As I've visited Hanley Park (and the neighbouring Cauldon Park) quite frequently over the last decade, I can say that with the restoration works having now been completed the Park is now so much better than it was before the works were carried out. At first the Park used to be rather run down, neglected and in constant disrepair, with the greenery not being as extensive or attractive, the Bandstand largely inactive and worn-out, the main Pavilion largely empty and unused and the fountain in Cauldon Park inactive, not to mention it didn't seem to be as welcoming before (makes me wonder why it has been neglected all these years and why did it take so long to bring it back to its former glory). But now, the greenery, especially near the Bandstand and main Pavilion, is so much more attractive now, the Bandstand is now much better and utilised more (I watched about two musical performances there once the works there were finished), the Pavilion is back in operation again as a café and its nice to see the fountain in Cauldon Park back in operation again. Other things which stand out apart from the Park's improvement is the pond there which as usual is quite nice, the Cauldon Canal running through it (especially the drop from the Pavilion down to the pond) and the sports facilities there because Hanley Park has a football court, some tennis courts (these two being the main reason for my visit over the last decade, as I used to play football with my friends and sometimes played tennis with my brother), a few basketball courts and a small table for table tennis - its rare to see a Park with sports facilities as extensive as this.

My only real issues with the Park although relatively minor (which is the reason why I haven't given this review 5 stars) now are that some of the footpaths especially the small ones around the Pavilion are in need of repair, they are now charging Parking at both car parks when they used to be free (I'm glad the southern car park has reopened though, as it shut during the restoration works), the Boathouse is largely unused (or maybe its only open in the mornings) even though the works for it have finished and security at the Park could be better as there sometimes can be unfriendly people at the Park, especially in the evening - either make CCTV more active/extensive around the Park or get an improved police/security guard presence there.

However, these issues are minor for me and Hanley Park still remains a place I love to visit locally during my spare time. If anyone in charge of maintaining the Park reads my review here, I have one message here: Please do keep the Park well-maintained and please do not let it fall to disrepair again,...