Hanley Park
🏟 Playground & park · Shelton / Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
Hanley Park
Grade II* listed Victorian park in Shelton with toddler, sensory and adventure play areas, a lake, bandstand and the restored Pavilion Cafe.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Park open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; Pavilion Cafe open daily (winter around 10am-3pm, longer hours in summer) · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Cleveland Road, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4DX
Plus Code: 9C5V2R8F+2J
About Hanley Park
Hanley Park is a Grade II* listed Victorian park in Shelton, close to Stoke-on-Trent city centre, laid out by the celebrated landscape architect Thomas Hayton Mawson and officially opened in 1897. Managed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the 63-acre park was the focus of a major multi-million pound Heritage Lottery-funded restoration and earned a Green Flag Award in 2023. Families come for its several children's play areas, which include a dedicated toddler playground, an adventure zone with an aerial slide and climbing equipment, and a fully accessible sensory play area - the first of its kind in the city, designed so that able-bodied and disabled children can play together. Beyond the playgrounds, the park has an all-weather floodlit sports zone for football, basketball, hockey, tennis and cricket, a historic bandstand, a crown green bowling green, and a lake fed by the Caldon Canal where fishing is permitted. The restored Pavilion at the heart of the park reopened in 2020 with a bright cafe serving refreshments seven days a week, with indoor and veranda seating and a Changing Places accessible toilet. The Caldon Canal runs through the grounds with ornamental footbridges. Entry is free and the park is open 24 hours a day.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Children's play areas
- Fully accessible sensory play area
- All-weather floodlit sports zone (football, basketball, hockey, tennis, cricket)
- Bandstand
- Crown green bowling green
- Lake with fountains and fishing
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Fully accessible sensory play area (the first of its type in the city); Changing Places accessible toilet in the cafe
🧒 Ages & play
- Toddler play area
- Sensory play area (fully accessible)
- Adventure play zone with aerial slide
- Climbing equipment
📍 Nearby places to play
- Etruria Park · approx 0.8 miles · Etruria
- Northwood Park · approx 1.0 miles · Northwood, Hanley
- Hartshill Park · approx 1.1 miles · Hartshill
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Hanley Park free to visit?
Yes. Hanley Park is a free, public park managed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is in the playground?
There are several play areas, including a toddler playground, an adventure zone with an aerial slide and climbing equipment, and a fully accessible sensory play area - the first of its kind in the city.
Are there toilets and a cafe?
Yes. The restored Pavilion Cafe is open seven days a week with indoor and veranda seating, and there are toilets including a Changing Places accessible toilet.
Where is Hanley Park?
It is on Cleveland Road in Shelton (ST1 4DX), close to Stoke-on-Trent city centre.
Is the playground suitable for toddlers?
Yes. There is a dedicated toddler play area as well as a fully accessible sensory play area suitable for younger and disabled children.