Staffordshire Attractions
Staffordshire, located in the West Midlands, boasts historic market towns and verdant landscapes that boast numerous attractions – from Peak District to Lichfield Cathedral – making for an exciting mix of history and culture.
Alton Towers Resort will satisfy thrill-seekers while Trentham Gardens and Monkey Forest can delight families.
Tamworth Castle
Tamworth Castle is one of Britain’s favourite heritage attractions, boasting more than 900 years of history to discover. Once home to Anglo-Saxon Mercia kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England and later prosperous Victorian families, today Tamworth Castle attracts visitors from all over the globe with family-friendly games, costume characters and medieval displays that make an excellent day trip in Staffordshire.
The castle stands on a hill overlooking the confluence of River Anker and River Tamworth, providing stunning views. A prime example of Norman motte-and-bailey architecture, it was first constructed during the 11th century as part of Queen Aethelflaed’s defense plan against Viking raiders.
In the 12th century, a stone castle was constructed on the original timber fort’s site; later renovated and revamped during Victorian era reconstruction efforts.
During the English Civil War, this castle was held by Parliamentary forces. A garrison consisting of 10 officers and 77 soldiers under Governor Waldyve Willington served to defend it from attack.
The castle now consists of 15 rooms and offers numerous hands-on activities for visitors to try. These activities include taking apart models of the castle to understand how it has changed through time, learning about medieval weapons and armour, dressing up like a knight and learning more about its history. There is also an interactive Saxon exhibition with pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard.
Tutbury Castle
Tutbury Castle is famous for its rich and dramatic past, particularly for serving as Mary Queen of Scots’ prison on four separate occasions before ultimately leading to her execution. Here lies its legacy – here was where plans for Mary’s death were devised!
The original motte and baileys date back to the eleventh century, though extensive modifications were undertaken during Lancastrian rule of 14th and 15th century under Vertue’s illustration of its castle in engraving form.
Visitors to the castle today can explore its semi-ruined Great Hall and King’s Bedroom, in addition to special events including historical re-enactments.
Tutbury Castle is home to many haunting tales, with one including Mary Queen of Scots who is said to haunt the site and was witnessed peering down from its South Tower in full Elizabethan attire, making us all laugh and believe it must have been an employee dressing up as part of some joke.
Visitors have reported spotting an armoured man outside John of Gaunt’s Gateway and, more commonly, staring down from the South Tower. There has also been sightings of an apparition dressed in white gown seen peeping out.
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian worship places in England and features three medieval cathedral spires. Established around AD 700 on St Chad’s burial site, its architecture, treasures, and history reflect its longstanding heritage. Today the Cathedral serves an active congregation that successfully balances modern needs with tradition-rich heritage of its building.
Interior features of this stunning cathedral include a spacious nave that can seat 2,000 people and an exquisite ceiling. Furthermore, this cathedral houses the Chad Gospels manuscript from around 730 that was discovered again during an English Civil War battle that has since been hidden away again only recently in a drawer.
Outside, the cathedral’s ornately-decorated sandstone walls feature statues of saints and kings adorning its exterior, though many original figures were destroyed during the Civil War by Cromwell’s soldiers and replaced with Victorian copies that Alec Clifton-Taylor describes as serving as “passable advertisements for local hairdressers”.
Minster Pool, situated to the south of the city, provides both fresh air and an incredible view of the cathedral. Fed by Leomansley and Trunkfield Brooks, it serves as an Important Bird Area with Pipe Green providing another rare habitat of unimproved meadowland ideal for photo opportunities of the cathedral. Shopping opportunities abound; Three Spires Shopping Centre has high street staples such as Debenhams and WHSmith while Tudor Row offers boutique shops and independent retailers for browsing pleasure.
Trentham Estate
Trentham Estate in Staffordshire stands as an oasis of history, culture and natural beauty. Boasting 725 acres, Trentham Estate boasts Trentham Gardens, Monkey Forest and Shopping Village for families and individuals to explore together – and boasts one of the country’s most visited paid attractions with over 3 Million visits a year!
Charles Barry created the Trentham Gardens in the 1830s as a stunning display of color. Inspired by Italianate gardens of old, they feature plants from all around the world in bold blooms at its top while its lower section focuses on lush foliage with darker tones.
Trentham Lake was created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown in the 18th century, providing visitors with breathtaking views of surrounding woodland and picturesque parkland. A lakeside walk allows guests to soak up its beauty.
Since 1996 when St Modwen acquired the site, they have spent PS100 Million to transform its listed buildings and gardens, reinstating extensive flower gardens and restoring historic parkland that now houses over 10,000 native trees. Furthermore, family orientated attractions like Adventure Playgrounds, UK’s first Barefoot Walk and an extraordinary Fairy Trail were added.
Shugborough Estate
Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire offers all the elements of an aristocratic country pile: Grade 1-listed mansion, beautiful gardens and parkland for exploration, farm, monuments, servants quarters, river walks and natural play space – as well as boasting what visitors consider to be one of the finest National Trust scones (voted on).
Shugborough Estate, owned by the Earls of Lichfield but open to visitors as a heritage site, provides visitors with a rare glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life – offering fascinating museum exhibits from that period. To gain greater insight into Shugborough’s past, the Wessex Archaeology Heritage team has begun conducting work here.
Starting as the property of Bishops of Lichfield, ownership was eventually passed onto Thomas Anson – 5th Earl of Lichfield – who began developing it into an estate. On his death without children or successors to carry forward his name and its 900 acres were passed onto George Adams who in exchange received them and continued developing them into what is today referred to as Anson House and Estate.
The estate has an impressive collection of antiques dating back to early Georgian period furniture. There is also an impressive selection of sculptures such as Tower of the Winds; named for its resemblance to an ancient Greek astronomical instrument known as Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes (made of wood and brass) belonging to Anson family but now part of National Trust permanent collection.
Stafford Castle
Stafford Castle’s hilltop remains are an eye-catching classic Norman motte and bailey that stands out amongst its surroundings, providing visitors with a fantastic place to learn history and take in some scenery on a day trip or walkabout adventure. Covering over 26 acres, this site contains the Keep, inner and outer baileys, herb garden, woodland area and car park – perfect for any group outings!
William the Conqueror constructed this castle in 1100AD on a motte and ditch, but its long life saw mixed fortunes for both itself and its residents, most notably members of the powerful Stafford family who made different homes here over its long existence. One member tried reconstructing it Gothic Revival style but this effort failed; thus leaving its keep unoccupied until 1949 when high winds caused some of its masonry to collapse, prompting its donation to local council for excavation before creating a heritage trail through it.
The castle is open during the same hours as its visitor centre and features displays, hands on activities and an events schedule, with Shakespearean plays being presented each year. Situated approximately 1 mile southwest of Stafford with good road access it makes an excellent addition to a tour of Cannock Chase or Staffordshire and makes a wonderful part of any day out trip!
