Free Stoke-on-Trent tea party exhibition opens at Minster

Stoke-on-Trent’s record-breaking cream tea party is being brought back into view at Stoke Minster on Friday, 5 June, with a free immersive exhibition built around the photographs, film and stories of the city’s Centenary celebrations.

The Big Centenary Tea Party in Pictures Exhibition forms part of Stoke-on-Trent Day, the annual celebration held on the date city status was granted by King George V. It is aimed at residents, families, visitors and anyone who joined, watched or heard about the city-wide tea party that helped set a Guinness World Record in 2025.

A free Stoke Minster exhibition for Stoke-on-Trent Day

The exhibition will use visuals, sound, storytelling and interaction to revisit one of the most widely shared moments of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year.

Visitors will be able to see animated images, hear stories from people involved and step inside recreated tea party scenes. The display is described as a multi-zone exhibition, with photography, film, sound and interactive elements used to retell how thousands of people gathered across the city and beyond.

The timing is deliberate. Stoke-on-Trent Day falls on 5 June, marking the anniversary of the city receiving its status from King George V. This year’s exhibition links that civic date with the 2025 Big Centenary Tea Party, when more than 15,000 people across 169 locations took part.

Readers planning a wider cultural visit may also want to note another free local heritage event, the Stoke-on-Trent treasure festival, which is also centred on the city’s public history.

The record-breaking tea party behind the display

The Big Centenary Tea Party was staged during Stoke-on-Trent’s 100th birthday year. According to the source notice, more than 15,000 people took part across 169 locations, helping the city break the Guinness World Record for the largest cream tea party held across multiple venues.

The event stretched beyond Stoke-on-Trent. Participants also gathered in Erlangen in Germany and at the House of Lords, turning a local birthday celebration into a wider civic moment.

For the new exhibition, that scale is being translated into a more intimate visitor experience. Instead of simply listing the record, the display is designed to show the faces, places and shared scenes behind it.

Photography, film, sound and recreated scenes

The exhibition has been created by YMCA North Staffordshire, Stoke Minster, Carse and Waterman, and Pete Herbert of PH Productions.

Nichola Twemlow, CEO of YMCA North Staffordshire, said last year’s event showed “the very best of Stoke-on-Trent”, with more than 15,000 people stopping, connecting and sharing a cup of tea.

She said the achievement was about “community, kindness, belonging, and the incredible spirit of our city” as well as the world record itself.

Dan Waterman, from Carse and Waterman, said the exhibition gives the record a continuing story, using immersive storytelling and creative design to keep the Centenary’s impact visible.

Simon Drakeford, of Stoke Minster, said the Minster was looking forward to hosting a celebration of community and of Stoke-on-Trent, with images from the city-wide tea party showing “what brilliant World Record Breakers we all are”.

What visitors know before going

The exhibition is free and takes place at Stoke Minster on Friday, 5 June 2026. The source notice does not give an opening time, end date, booking route, accessibility details or transport information.

Outgoing Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Councillor Steve Watkins described the Big Centenary Tea Party as one of the standout moments of the Centenary year, linking it to the city motto, Vis Unita Fortior — united strength is stronger.

He said the second Stoke-on-Trent Day is a moment to look back on last year’s celebrations and “get together with friends, family and colleagues over a brew once again on 5 June to celebrate our city and all things Stoke-on-Trent.”

Source: Stoke-on-Trent City Council