Tunstall Library

Tunstall Library sits on the high street in Stoke-on-Trent's northern districts, a functional Victorian building that doesn't announce itself loudly but serves the local community with genuine purpose. Inside you'll find the usual - books, newspapers, computers for public use - but what makes it worth a stop is the local studies section, which holds proper archives on the Potteries' ceramic history. If you're staying at Castle Camping or Sky View Caravan Park nearby, it's a reasonable drive into town.

This is genuinely useful rather than thrilling. History buffs researching the area's industrial heritage will find staff helpful and collections decent. Kids might tolerate an hour if you've got a specific goal in mind - finding a book, using the computers - but it's not a destination attraction. The opening hours are a bit restrictive (mornings only on most days, closed Sundays and Thursdays), so plan accordingly.

Free admission, as with most public libraries. Allow 30 minutes for a casual browse, longer if you're digging into archives. Worth combining with a walk around Tunstall's high street or a visit to the nearby Potteries Museum in Stoke town centre. On a rainy afternoon during a caravan holiday, it beats sitting in the van, but don't rearrange your itinerary to get here. It's a proper local facility, not a tourist attraction pretending to be one.