Staffy Trail launches to mark 10 years of Staffordshire Day

A paws-itively exciting new public art trail has officially launched today (1 May) to mark the tenth anniversary of Staffordshire Day. 

The Staffy Trail features a pack of eleven large Staffy sculptures unleashed across Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Tamworth and Lichfield, with additional locations to unlock across the wider county, inviting people to get out and explore like never before.

Positioned in key gateway locations with strong transport links, the trail is designed to welcome visitors into Staffordshire and encourage exploration beyond the main arrival points. With direct connections via the West Coast Main Line, it is expected to attract visitors from cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and further afield.

Designed to get tails wagging, the trail encourages people to discover the incredible attractions and places that make Staffordshire the nation’s playground, support local businesses and uncover the county’s rich history along the way.

Designed by local artists and inspired by ideas from schoolchildren, each stop along the trail tells a unique story about Staffordshire’s heritage, creativity and communities.

Delivered by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) and Staffordshire County Council in conjunction with Making Trails, the trail is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and generate at least £600,000 for the local visitor economy.

The trail will run for ten weeks and feature a programme of themed weeks to encourage people to experience it in different ways. These will include running and cycling challenges, and even a dedicated ‘paws week’ for visitors exploring with their pets.

The first week of the Staffy Trail will kickstart with ‘Connection week’ – encouraging people to explore the trail by train and bus.

Visitors can download the official trail app to follow the route, unlock rewards at each location and discover even more things to see and do along the way from 1 May.

The launch comes as the county celebrates a decade of Staffordshire Day with a packed programme of events across the May bank holiday weekend. Highlights include:

• The Great British Food Festival

• Foundry Festival
• Burton’s Floating Market
• Perton Carnival

• Operation Mincemeat theatre production

• A live performance from Jethro Tull

• Pottery workshops at The Glost House

• Family activities at World of Wedgwood

Martin Murray, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

“Staffordshire Day is a chance to celebrate everything that makes our county special, and this year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate its tenth anniversary.

“The Staffy Trail is a fantastic addition to this year’s celebrations. It will bring people into our towns, support local businesses and help showcase Staffordshire as the nation’s playground — a place full of energy, creativity and great experiences at the heart of the country.

“We’re proud to see this project come to life and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to explore everything we have to offer.”

Arthur Barnard, Chair of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent LVEP, said:

“The Staffy Trail is a brilliant example of what can be achieved through partnership working. It brings together creativity, community and our visitor economy in a way that will have a real impact.

“By encouraging people to explore more of Staffordshire, spend time in our towns and discover new experiences, the trail will help strengthen our position as a must-visit destination.”

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:

“This is a fantastic moment for Stoke-on-Trent, as the trail will bring visitors to our amazing city, where they can see for themselves everything we have to offer. From our cultural heritage and history to the many local businesses and tourism hotspots we have, there is something for everyone in Stoke-on-Trent.

“Staffordshire Day is about celebrating the shared culture, heritage and sense of pride that runs across the county and this trail is a brilliant way to bring that to life.

“We are proud to be part of this partnership that is delivering something exciting for residents and visitors to enjoy as part of Staffordshire Day celebrations.”

The Staffy Trail is now live and free to explore.

A printed Staffy Trail map can be picked up at any Staffordshire library.

For more information, to download the trail app, and to see what’s happening across Staffordshire Day, visit https://www.visitstaffordshire.com/follow-staffy/.

There are eleven Staffy sculptures across Staffordshire, forming The Staffy Trail. Each has been designed by a local artist and inspired by ideas from young people across the county.

They are as follows:

1. ‘Sonney’ by Chloe Breeze. 
   Located at Stoke-on-Trent’s Hanley Park outside the pavilion, this sculpture focuses on the theme ‘welcome and warm’ and invites people to explore, stay and return to Staffordshire. Designs created by students from PINC College and Abbey Hill Academy College inspired Sonney’s artwork and Chloe created the design to look like patches of fur on a Staffy dog.
2. ‘Outdoors Muddy Paws’ by Lynne Hollingworth. 
   Located at Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent, this sculpture is sponsored by the Trentham Estate and celebrates Staffordshire as an active outdoor destination. Lynne, in collaboration with NSGC Newcastle College students, created artwork that captures the joy of exploring Trentham with playful pathways and footprints leading the eye around the sculpture. Dandelions and natural details reflect the gardens and wider Staffordshire landscape while the Staffordshire knot adds a local touch, and the Trentham-inspired palette keeps it bright and full of energy.
3. ‘Artie’ by Becki Kremer.
   Located at Stoke Minster and sponsored by the University of Staffordshire, this sculpture highlights the county as a place of opportunity for young people. It reflects the county’s ceramics heritage, the energy of student life, green spaces and vibrant music and arts scene. Created by Becki in collaboration with students from the University of Staffordshire, the design also reflects the diversity of the area, especially the many students who go on to shape industries beyond the county. ‘Artie’ captures a place where people grow into who they’re meant to be, where artistic talent is truly nurtured, and where imagination carries Staffordshire into the wider world and the future.
4. ‘Kindred’ by Tom Edwards.
   Located in Stafford Market Square and sponsored by Fostering for Staffordshire, this sculpture explores care and connection through scenes inspired by UK wildlife and natural habitats. Ideas were developed with young people from The Voice Project.
5. ‘Graham’ by Ruth Allen.
   Located at Staffordshire Place One, this sculpture is inspired by heritage within Staffordshire with a focus on the architecture and history of local industry. A workshop with students at Sir Graham Balfour High School inspired ideas for the artwork.
6. ‘Jasper’ by Sarah Grateley. 
   Located at the Victoria Park entrance opposite Stafford Train Station, this sculpture brings together Staffordshire’s iconic brands, attractions and communities. The main heart motif is a nod to Staffordshire being ‘The Heart of the Country.’ Each other heart depicts a brand or place in Staffordshire that is great to visit, including Stafford Castle, the Pottery Museums, the canals, St Michael’s Church in Penkridge and local cafe, ‘Jasper’s’. Jasper’s boots represent the former Lotus Show factory in Stafford and his scarf is decorated with an Emma Bridgewater pattern. Connecting all the hearts together are canal routes and the famous Alton Towers rollercoasters.
7. ‘Patch’ by Joanna Dawidowska.
   Located at Frog Lane in Lichfield, this Staffy sculpture follows theme of ‘Inclusion’. Joanna worked with South Staffordshire College students on the design and the college also sponsored the sculpture. The flowers on the artwork represent how we are all different but can live happily together. The tree of life and its roots remind us that we are connected and that what we share and have in common is more important than how we look or speak.
8. ‘Birdie Boy’ by Steve Edwards. 
   Located outside St Editha’s Church, this sculpture celebrates nature and rural communities. Developed with year 9 pupils from King Edward VI School, it combines Staffordshire symbols – like the Knot and coat of arms – with British birds and the artist’s signature camouflage style. Steve also used the yellow and red from the Staffordshire flag as a basecoat.
9. ‘Beam Me Up. Staffordshire’ by Carla Dee. 
   Located in Ladybridge in Tamworth, this sculpture focuses on the theme of ‘Connection’. Carla worked with students from Wilnecote High School to create this sculpture. It includes local landmarks like Tamworth Castle, the SnowDome and local theme parks, alongside icons such as Trentham Estate and Lichfield Cathedral, with a beer barrel for Burton upon Trent, poppies for the National Memorial Arboretum and a vase for The Potteries Museum, celebrate Staffordshire’s shared heritage and identity, while local touches like Spud Man add character and community pride.
10. ‘Clay’ by Victoria Turner. 
    Located on Market Street, Tamworth, this ‘Pride in Place’ sculpture was co-designed with ‘Sketch a Staffy’ competition winner Amy Stokes (16). The Staffy is named Clay to honour the region’s rich ceramics heritage and adorned with a bandana inspired by the Staffordshire Knot. This sculpture has been designed to reflect the county’s natural beauty and love for wildlife with the iconic Tamworth Pig, Monkey Forest, ‘Ay up, me Duck’, and the swallows that grace the University of Staffordshire’s crest. Above all, it represents pride in the county’s architecture, heritage, engineering, and the place we are proud to call home.
11. ‘Staffy’s Travels by Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt.
    This sculpture, located on Uttoxeter’s High Street, features various modes of transportation in Staffordshire from hot air balloon rides and cable cars to buses, trains and cars.