Ian Weightman

Keith Brymer Jones, at his ‘spiritual home’ of Gladstone Pottery Museum, last week. An expert judge on TV’s Great Pottery Throw Down, he was in town to help launch a new visitor experience in Stoke-on-Trent linking the city’s past and present to its future bit.ly/4bdvCx9

Great recognition for “one of Cambridge’s most underrated museums”, as well as #travel news about a new walking trail in the city. David Parr House - “an unassuming little house that contains its own treasure trove” - hits the headlines at Time Out. bit.ly/40nKumj

Here's the link to the March 'News in Brief' @VisitDerby for travel media: giving #travel writers and influencers access to news, upcoming events, and blogs from the city. Stories this month range from AA rosettes -- to a ‘Psychic Dancehall Festival’! bit.ly/4aXv4tM

Great to see ‘Wright of Derby: From the Shadows’, @NationalGallery, recently. Packed with power and drama - and well worth the trip. The exhibition runs to 24 April, before it goes on show @derbymuseums, @VisitDerby, from 13 June to 1 November, 2026. bit.ly/3MNj7ij

Here's a snapshot of a recent stroll around Derby: Dracula's Return to Derby, major artworks at Derby Museum & Art Gallery, Pickford's House toy theatre collection, and the eclectic Electric Daisy. Add 'Wright of Derby' and Lara Croft to the mix, and it's all @VisitDerby in 2026!

Media coverage still coming through as a result of the success of the Stoke-on-Trent's centenary celebrations @SoT100… Most recently, in The Scotsman's travel pages by Cat Thomson, who “went potty” in October @GladstoneMuseum @Middleport_Pot @WorldofWedgwood & @PotteriesMuseum

Here's the link to the travel media’s February 'News in Brief' - @VisitDerby Press Room: giving #travel writers and influencers access to the latest news, upcoming events and blogs from a city which "gave birth to" Lara Croft 30 years ago, on 14 February! bit.ly/3LQ5xdC

Nice profile for Stoke-on-Trent at the weekend, as The Sun selects "Ten of the UK’s cosiest pubs with bed and breakfast". The Fitzherbert Arms puts you within easy reach of world class attractions in The Potteries... #SoT100 is still working its magic! bit.ly/4qvsnpW

Well this is some great recognition for Derby, today. Named one of the 14 'Best Places to Visit in the UK in 2026' by Time Out: "Right now the Midlands city is an exciting destination in its own right"… bit.ly/49pOw1w @VisitDerby @VisitEngland

On a walk in snowy Staffordshire, with the temperature showing minus 7 degrees, this morning...

Here's the link to the travel media’s January 'News in Brief' - @VisitDerby Press Room - giving #travel writers and influencers access to the latest news, upcoming events and blogs from a city (where, amongst other things, something spooky is happening!). bit.ly/4s6RWyA

Top of the pots! As the 2025 Stoke-on-Trent centenary year celebrations draw to a close, the Potteries is on MasterChef tonight; Antiques Roadshow 21 December; and The Festive Pottery Throw Down on Boxing Day - with a new Great Pottery Throw Down series starting 4 January #SoT100

"Where in the world..?" (It’s also every bit as good as it looks!) The Tawny - 'a hotel like no other' - is a huge asset to Stoke-on-Trent and is just a 15 minute drive away. A great place to stay for anyone now inspired to visit The Centenary City #SoT100 thetawny.co.uk

The perfect book to appear during Stoke-on-Trent's centenary celebrations! Tunstall Tortillas by David Fletcher takes a fresh bite out of the Staffordshire oatcake, and is a mouthwatering portrait of a city's food and culture. "Bon appetit, Duck!" bit.ly/48yeY8E #SoT100

Here's the link to the travel media’s December 'News in Brief' - @VisitDerby Press Room - giving #travel writers and influencers quick access to all of the latest news, upcoming events and blogs from the city (including, "Dracula’s Favourite Haunts"). bit.ly/44x4hC2

A seasonal round up at Guardian Travel Online: ‘The 10 best British towns and cities for Christmas shopping with a local flavour’. And how nice to see Stoke-on-Trent featured, in its centenary year, for its ceramics. Thanks @annabellet. bit.ly/4r4ecst #SoT100

This has just appeared in the travel section of The Guardian online... “If you really want to experience the culture that Wright came from, you need to come to Derby.” Many thanks @CButterwick bit.ly/3JHvlaP @VisitDerby @NationalGallery

Canals, Kilns and Characters - another superb art exhibition during Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary year, this time featuring the work of two local artists, Maurice Wade and Arthur Berry, side-by-side. It's on show @KeeleUniversity until 19 January. bit.ly/4hDIXQV #SoT100

Lovely to walk around the gardens and parkland at Shropshire's Hodnet Hall in the autumn sunshine, yesterday, on its final final 'open' day of the 2025 season. hodnethallgardens.org

Here's the link to the travel media’s November 'News in Brief', @VisitDerby Press Room, giving #travel writers and influencers quick access to news from the city. (Including, "For the first time in its 150 years history: get tattooed in Derby Museum..!”). bit.ly/4hklcwQ