Stoke-on-Trent's record-breaking Big Centenary Tea Party is now on display in a new free exhibition at Stoke Minster. The show uses photos, films, sound and interactive displays to relive one of the city's proudest moments from 2025. Visitors can step inside recreated tea party scenes and hear from people who took part in the historic event.
More than 15,000 people across 169 locations in Stoke participated in the tea party, smashing the Guinness World Record for the largest cream tea party held across multiple venues. The celebration extended beyond the city boundaries, with participants joining from Erlangen in Germany and even the House of Lords. The record-breaking scale demonstrated the city's ability to come together for a shared moment.
The exhibition launches ahead of Stoke-on-Trent Day on 5 June, the date the city was granted official status by King George V. Animated displays bring the day back to life, allowing residents to revisit why the community united for this centenary celebration. The outgoing Lord Mayor highlighted how the event proved the power of united strength across Stoke.
For local residents, this free exhibition offers a chance to remember a defining moment in the city's recent history. Whether you took part in the original tea party or missed it, the exhibition captures the spirit and scale of what Stoke achieved together.