Ben Aitken | Sh*tty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities

Not everything that glitters is gold - which is why Ben Aitken gave Manchester the cold shoulder and went to Preston instead.

Hailing from Portsmouth, Ben knew from experience that unfashionable places could be quietly brilliant. So, over the course of a year, the author visited twelve of the least popular spots in the UK and Ireland for a city break. The motivation wasn't to take the mickey or stick the boot in, but to seek out the good stuff. By doing so, he hoped to demonstrate that anywhere - like anyone - can be interesting and nourishing and enjoyable if approached in the right fashion. Even Wolverhampton!

By ghosting Bath and giving Lisbon the boot, the book champions the unsung in an algorithmic, over-signposted world dominated by celebs and hotspots. Cheeky weekend in Milton Keynes anyone?

Ben will be in conversation at Stoke Book Festival, discussing all things sh*tty cities, travel advice and maybe some tales about his Gran Tour!

About the Author 

Ben Aitken was born under Thatcher, grew to 6ft then stopped, and is an Aquarius. He is the author of six books, including A Chip Shop in Poznan (a Times bestseller), The Gran Tour (which is being made into a film) and Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities, which argues that anywhere – like anyone – can be interesting and enjoyable if approached in the right fashion. He was Travel Writer of the Year at the 2025 Travel Media Awards, is a Sunday Times columnist, and used to be in a boyband.

What to Expect

• 60-minute author conversation
• Audience Q&A
• Book signing will be available afterwards
• Books available to purchase
• Suitable for ages 14+

About the Venue

Wheelchair Access: The main ground floor is fully accessible via ramps. Note that specific historical areas like the Peace Chapel and belfry require using stairs.

Toilets: An accessible toilet and general toilets are available onsite.

Parking: A car park is located directly opposite the building on Kingsway (ST4 1JB).

Additional Support: Assistance dogs are welcome.

Public transport links: The bus stop on Glebe Street is served by Routes 24 (D&G), 23 & 40A (First Potteries). The nearest Railway Station is Stoke-on-Trent Railway, a 7-minute walk.

Arrival time: Doors open 30 minutes before the event

About Stoke Book Festival

Join us for a week of inspiring author talks, creative workshops, performances and community events, bringing readers and writers together from across Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.

Stoke-on-Trent is a city built on creativity, craftsmanship and community. This October, we’re bringing those qualities together for the Stoke Book Festival.

We break down barriers to participation, champion books, inspire creativity and create opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with literature, learning and culture.

By bringing together national and local talent, schools, libraries, businesses and communities, our goal is to improve engagement with reading and support youth literacy development in Stoke-on-Trent.

To discover more visit: www.StokeBookFestival.co.uk

Good to Know

• Please arrive 15–20 minutes before the event
• Late entry may not be possible once the event has started
• Tickets are non-refundable except in the event of cancellation by the Festival
• Photography may be taken during the festival
• Books can be purchased on the day (subject to availability)