Summary
Staffordshire’s county town is essentially a small market town located along the River Sow, yet it offers numerous attractions that are worthy of exploration.
The area features two historic churches, one of which boasts exceptionally rare Romanesque decorations dating back 900 years.
In the Market Place, Shire Hall stands as a striking Palladian courthouse that is currently undergoing transformation, while the Ancient High House is noted as the largest timber-framed structure in the country.
Interesting experiences can be readily found throughout Stafford.
To the southeast lies Cannock Chase, an invigorating expanse of woodlands and heathland that was once designated as a Royal Forest.
Within this scenic landscape resides Shugborough Hall, a National Trust estate that was once the residence of one of the UK’s most celebrated naval commanders.
Let us examine the top attractions in Stafford:
1. Stafford Castle
Overseeing the western entrance to the town, Stafford Castle is a motte-and-bailey structure featuring preserved earthworks from the early 12th century.
Originally constructed of wood, it was replaced by a stone keep during the mid-14th century.
In the 16th century, the castle became royal property after Henry VIII ordered the execution of its owner, Edward Stafford, whose royal lineage was deemed a threat.
During the Civil War, Parliamentarian forces besieged the castle and ultimately gained control in 1643. The structure has remained in decay since it was partially destroyed after the Civil War, with some walls reconstructed in a Romantic Gothic Revival style in 1813. The visitor center offers a valuable audiovisual presentation detailing the castle’s rich history, complemented by displays of replica weapons, armor, and clothing derived from archaeological findings.
2. Victoria Park
Situated next to the station along both banks of the River Sow, Victoria Park is a perennial Green Flag award recipient.
Recent enhancements funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund have further elevated its status as a source of local pride since the 2010s.
The park’s layout has largely remained unchanged since its establishment in 1908, aside from the incorporation of sports facilities to the northwest.
During the summer, visitors are treated to vibrant flowerbeds, a raised sensory garden, a glasshouse, walking paths alongside the River Sow, a children’s splash pad, and a charming traditional bandstand.
An older feature, the Edwardian Alderman Mottram shelter, stands as a listed monument surrounded by flowerbeds, dating back to 1905.
3. Cannock Chase
Britain’s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty commences just southeast of Stafford.
This former Royal Forest encompasses rolling hills adorned with woodlands, heather, and agricultural land.
During your exploration, you may encounter glacial erratic boulders that were deposited during the Last Ice Age.
Well-marked trails facilitate exploration on foot, bicycle, or horseback.
These paths were once traversed by J. R. R. Tolkien during his youth at the cusp of the 20th century, and the scenery is likely to have influenced his literary creations.
At the Cannock Chase Visitors Centre and Birches Valley Forest Centre, you can obtain information regarding trails and the diverse wildlife, including fallow deer, woodpeckers, and adders, which you may encounter during your journey.
Additionally, the Cannock facility features a Go Ape high ropes center, offering courses for both adults and children, along with a forest path for all-terrain Segways.
4. Ancient High House
Officially recognized as the largest timber-framed structure in the UK, Ancient High House is a Tudor-era marvel located on Greengate Street, constructed in 1595. The building features four cantilevered stories with four triangular gables, mullioned windows, and intricately patterned studwork crafted from local Doxey Wood oak.
In 1642, King Charles I took residence at the Ancient High House at the outset of the English Civil War, mere months before Parliamentarian forces seized Stafford.
For over three decades, the house has served as a museum, providing visitors with a detailed interior design journey through various eras.
Within, you can view the Civil War Room where King Charles and his nephew, Prince Rupert, resided, along with the Stuart Bedroom featuring an elegant four-poster bed.
The Wallpaper Room exhibits Georgian sophistication, while the Victorian Room is adorned with luxurious furnishings and period costumes.
5. Shugborough Hall
A notable aspect of this stately home, situated four miles east of Stafford, is the preservation of the entire estate, including its servants’ quarters, walled gardens, and functioning farm.
Home to the Anson family, Shugborough Hall was constructed towards the end of the 17th century and underwent further extensions over the subsequent century.
The estate came under the guardianship of the National Trust following the death of the 4th Earl of Lichfield in 1960 and is accessible for tours.
Among the treasures to seek out are four paintings by the Georgian landscape artist Nicholas Dall and a 208-piece porcelain dinner service displayed in the Verandah Room, commemorating the renowned naval commander George Anson’s circumnavigation of the globe in the 1740s.
A fragment of the figurehead from his ship, HMS Centurion, is mounted on a mahogany shield in the Verandah Passage.
6. St Chad’s Church
As the oldest structure in Stafford, St Chad’s Church originates from the 12th century and retains a wealth of Norman Romanesque stonework.
This is particularly evident in the ornate carvings adorning the crossing arch at the eastern end of the nave, featuring chevrons and “beak-head” motifs adorning its columns.
The capitals in the chancel, crossing, and nave are all original, exhibiting a variety of designs from simple scallop patterns to depictions of faces, foxes, and birds.
On the impost at the northeastern corner of the crossing, a Latin inscription reads, “ORM VOCATUR QUI ME CONDIDIT” (the one who built me is known as Orm). The chancel is bordered by beautiful intersecting blind Romanesque arches, alongside a later Gothic piscina with a pointed arch.
7. Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre
Operating as a registered charity, the Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall serves as both a hospital and sanctuary for over 30 animal species.
The inhabitants range from various birds of prey to reptiles, primates, raccoons, pot-bellied pigs, skunks, ponies, savannah cats, a New Guinea singing dog, and numerous invertebrates.
The flight sessions are particularly popular, showcasing the center’s great grey owl, kestrel, European eagle owl, Harris hawk, and Mackinder eagle owl during exercise displays.
During these presentations, attendees can glean fascinating insights from experienced falconers regarding the dietary needs and personalities of the birds.
8. Shire Hall
Dominating Stafford’s Market Place, Shire Hall is a Palladian courthouse constructed in 1798, designed by the architect Samuel Wyatt, who was concurrently involved in constructing Shugborough Hall.
The façade of the building features nine bays and a Doric portico supported by four fluted columns.
In the tympanum, allegorical sculptures representing Justice and Mercy are positioned on either side of a clock installed in 1799. The Crown Court vacated Shire Hall in 1991, while the courtrooms and cells were preserved in keeping with the building’s Grade II* listing.
Until 2017, an art gallery operated within the premises, but as of 2018, the Staffordshire County Council is evaluating the future of this significant landmark.
9. Collegiate Church of St Mary
St Mary’s Church, another remarkable Grade I-listed edifice in the heart of Stafford, dates back to the early 1200s.
The nave and its aisles are preserved from this era, while the chancel and north transept date to the early 14th century.
Much like many churches across the UK, St Mary’s underwent significant restoration during the Victorian period, led by the eminent architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Within the nave, visitors can admire the ceiling adorned with rich 15th-century moldings and bosses, alongside a Norman baptismal font from the 12th century, intricately carved with lions and crouching figures.
The north transept houses a magnificent Renaissance chest tomb dedicated to Sir Edward Aston, who passed away in 1568.
10. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
This main venue for live performances in town is a well-preserved Victorian neo-Gothic building situated on Eastgate Street.
The Gatehouse Theatre accommodates diverse audiences by offering a variety of performances, including opera, ballet, drama, musicals, live music events, lectures, film screenings, and children’s matinees.
Familiar names from the UK comedy scene, such as Ross Noble, Julian Clary, and Paul Foot, have graced its stage, along with live screenings of significant productions from the National Theatre, including Ian McKellen’s portrayal in King Lear, which was a highlight of 2018. The venue also hosts performances during the annual Shakespeare Festival held in the summer months.
Casual visitors can stop by the coffee shop/bar that serves delightful Staffordshire-filled oatcakes.
11. Wildwood Park
This picturesque expanse of green space in the Wildwood suburb is particularly appealing due to its proximity to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
The park descends towards the water, providing distant views of the tranquil and undeveloped valley of the River Penk.
Visitors can venture into the open countryside through wooded areas, enjoy a picnic alongside the canal, or take advantage of the available tennis courts.
A large, recently updated play area caters to children, as well as a skate park featuring a bowl and half-pipe for older kids.
12. Amerton Railway
Spanning 17 acres of idyllic countryside, the Amerton Railway is a narrow-gauge track established by enthusiasts in the early 1990s.
The inaugural trains began running in 1992, although a decade of dedicated effort was required before the railway formed a complete loop.
The engines, along with some infrastructure such as a signal box, originate from former quarry and mining railroads. For instance, “Isabel” was built in 1897 and operated on the Cliffe Hill Mineral Railway in Leicestershire, while “Gordon” is a modern engine produced for the Allerton Bywater and Castlebridge collieries.
Bring younger family members along for an enjoyable ride on either a diesel or steam train during weekends or school holidays.
13. Boscobel House
Located a short distance away in Bishop’s Wood, Shropshire, Boscobel House is a historically significant property under English Heritage, linked to Charles II’s escape from England following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.
This farmhouse provided refuge to the future king, who was sheltered by the Giffard family, Catholics at odds with the puritanical Parliamentarians.
Previously, Boscobel House had also served as a hiding place for Catholic clergy, with two concealed priest holes accessible within. The future king spent a night in one of these hideouts and an entire day within the hollow trunk of an oak tree on the grounds.
A descendant of this oak tree still stands on the property, beside a parterre knot garden featuring an arbor, where it is believed Charles II spent some leisure time.
14. Mill Meece Pumping Station
If you are contemplating how to spend your Sunday, this Edwardian water pumping station situated five miles west of Stone welcomes visitors from 12:00 to 17:00. Established to supply water to Staffordshire’s Potteries further north, it draws water from deep boreholes to a reservoir in Hanchurch.
The facility ceased operations in 1979; however, it houses two colossal horizontal tandem compound steam engines, along with well head gear, weir pumps, and three Lancashire boilers, all of which are maintained in their original state.
Check their website for details regarding occasional steaming days when these impressive machines are brought back to life.
15. Staffordshire Oatcakes
As you peruse the menus around town, you might come across a dish referred to as an “oatcake.” This culinary specialty is distinct from the Scottish biscuit of the same name, hence the use of the prefix “Staffordshire” outside the county.
Staffordshire Oatcakes are savory pancakes made with oatmeal, yeast, and flour, offering remarkable versatility: they can be filled with cheese, sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, or various combinations thereof.
The delicacy traces its origins to the Potteries in the north of the county during the 19th century, where they were traditionally cooked on hot plates over open flames.
While these oatcakes can be enjoyed with sweet toppings like jam or syrup, such preparations are not typically considered authentic.
