Ancient High House

Greengate Street
Stafford ST16 2JA

staffordbc.gov.uk

Built in around 1595 for the wealthy Dorrington family, the ornate timber framed building is reputed to be the largest surviving timber framed town house in England from the Tudor period. In 1986 the house opened as a museum and now provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who have lived there over the centuries.

Apedale Valley Light Railway

Apedale Country Park, Loomer Road, Chesterton
Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 7LB

avlr.org.uk

The Trust currently operates the Apedale Valley Light Railway and is constructing a new museum to display its collection of industrial narrow gauge equipment.

Boscobel House & The Royal Oak - English Heritage

Brewood
Bishops Wood ST19 9AR

goo.gl

Built in about 1632, Boscobel House, originally a timber-framed farmhouse, was converted into a hunting lodge by John Giffard of Whiteladies. The Giffard family were Roman Catholics, at a time when the religion suffered persecution, and tradition holds that the true purpose of Boscobel was to serve as a secret place for the shelter of Catholics in times of need. Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, his eldest son made a brave though misguided attempt to regain the throne. In 1651 his hopes were crushed at Worcester in the final conflict of the Civil War. Young Charles was forced to flee for his life. He sought refuge at Boscobel, hiding first in a tree which is now known as The Royal Oak and then spending the night in a priest-hole in the house's attic. Boscobel remained a working farm and visitors today can also see the dairy, farmyard, smithy, gardens, and a descendant of The Royal Oak. White Ladies Priory, another of Charles's hiding places, is a short walk away.

Cheddleton Flint Mill & Museum

Leek Road
Cheddleton Near Leek ST13 7HL

exeter.ac.uk

Cheddleton Flint Mill consists of a complex of buildings including two separate water mills, a miller's cottage, two flint kilns, a drying kiln and outbuildings. The Caldon Canal, which would have supplied the mill by narrow boat, passes by.

Churnet Valley Railway

Cheddleton Station, Station Road
Cheddleton ST13 7EE

churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

An Act of Parliament formed the North Staffordshire Railway in 1846. The Churnet Valley Railway takes you on a journey back to the classic days of railway travel on a rural line that passes through beautiful countryside known as Staffordshire's 'Little Switzerland'.

Claymills Pumping Engines Trust

Meadow Lane, Stretton
Burton upon Trent DE13 0DA

claymills.org.uk

Preserved Victorian sewage pumping station. We have 4 beam engines, 5 Lancashire boilers, steam driven workshop, Blacksmiths's forge, early electrical dynamo house and numerous small engines.

Erasmus Darwin House

Beacon Street
Lichfield WS13 7AD

erasmusdarwin.org

Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin, was a philosopher and pioneer in science, technology and medicine. His work was of national and international significance but has been little known until recently.

Etruria Industrial Museum

Lower Bedford Street, Etruria
Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7AF

stokemuseums.org.uk

Etruria Industrial Museum is the last steam-powered potters' mill in Britain. The mill is 'in steam' seven times a year when the 1903 boiler is fired and historic machinery can be seen working.

Ford Green Hall

Ford Green Road, Smallthorne
Stoke on Trent ST6 1NG

stokemuseums.org.uk

Ford Green Hall is a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse complete with period garden. An award-winning museum, the hall offers visitors a fascinating insight into the life of the 17th century.

Foxfield Steam Railway

Caverswall Road Station, Blythe Bridge
Stoke-on-Trent ST11 9EA

foxfieldrailway.co.uk

The Foxfield Light Railway is one of the UK's earliest heritage railways. The line was built in the 1890s and unlike many lines which follow valleys, the Foxfield Railway maintains a 5_ mile round journey which boldly crosses open moorland, hills and woodland.

Izaak Walton's Cottage

Worston Lane, Shallow Ford, Nr. Stone
Stafford ST15 0PA

staffordbc.gov.uk

Izaak Walton, author of the 'Compleat Angler', owned this charming cottage that nestles in the tiny hamlet of Shallowford, between Stafford and Eccleshall. His charming thatched 16th century half-timbered cottage will be of interest to anglers and non anglers alike. It offers a marvellous insight into the history of fishing and the literary talent of Stafford's famous son.

Lichfield Cathedral

19A The Close
Lichfield WS13 7LD

lichfield-cathedral.org

When Bishop Chad of Mercia died in 672, pilgrims began to come to his shrine in Lichfield. In 700, Bishop Hedda built a new church to house his bones.

Middleport Pottery

Port Street Middleport, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST6 3PE, United Kingdom
Stoke on Trent ST6 3PE

middleportpottery.co.uk

Middleport Pottery, home to Burleigh ware is the last working Victorian Pottery in the UK. It was acquired by The Prince's Regeneration Trust in June 2011 and is now a wonderful visitor attraction.

Mill Meece Pumping Station Preservation Trust

Mill Meece Pumping Station, Cotes Heath
Near Eccleshall ST21 6QU

millmeecepumpingstation.co.uk

Mill Meece steam engines once pumped clean drinking water to the people of Stoke-on-Trent until they were retired from service in 1979. They are now steamed regularly for the public to enjoy. The two steam engines have been preserved in situ and are the only pair of their type still capable of being steamed.

Museum of Cannock Chase

Valley Road, Hednesford
Cannock WS12 1TD

wlct.org

The museum has five formal display galleries. The Local History Gallery - Tracing the Chase; The Miner's Cottage - depicting life at the turn of the 20th century; Toys and Games Past and Present - Relive your childhood memories; Seven Centuries of Coal - find out about Cannock's industrial heritage; The 1940s Room - domestic life during the Second World War.

National Brewery Centre, The

Horninglow St Horninglow
Burton on Trent DE14 1NG

nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

The museum celebrates the social history of the development of brewing - the real life experiences and stories of the people who helped to build Burton's world-renowned brewing reputation. Experienced guides take visitors through each step of the brewing process and explain the fascinating roles that the steam engines and vintage vehicles on show played in the development of the industry.

Redfern's Cottage: Museum of Uttoxeter Life

34-36 Carter Street
Uttoxeter ST14 8EU

redfernscottage.org

This 17th century timbered framed cottage is situated in the historic market town of Uttoxeter. It offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the town within the setting of an historic house with a beautiful courtyard garden.

Rudyard Lake Steam Railway

Rudyard Station
Nr Leek ST13 8PF

rlsr.org

The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway is just North of Leek in Staffordshire. The lake railway uses miniature narrow gauge steam locomotives on its trains to give a 3-mile return trip along the side of Rudyard Lake.

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

Breadmarket Street
Lichfield WS13 6LG

samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk

The museum stands in the centre of the historic city of Lichfield, which remained close to Johnson's heart throughout his life. Best known for his Dictionary of the English Language, Johnson spent the first 27 years of his life in the large, imposing house which overlooks Market Square, frequently returning until shortly before his death in 1784.

Shire Hall Gallery

Market Square
Stafford ST16 2LD

staffordshire.gov.uk

The Shire Hall Gallery is the largest venue in Staffordshire dedicated to visual arts and crafts. Situated in a fascinating Grade II listed building (formerly used as the Crown Court) the Shire Hall Gallery offers visitors a mixture of old and new. Stafford's Shire building has had several forms - the present building in the Market Square was constructed in 1793. As well as a permanent crime and punishment display in Court One, the gallery has a regularly changing programme of temporary exhibitions which focus on contemporary visual art and craft.

Shugborough Estate - National Trust

Milford, nr Stafford
nr Stafford ST17 0XB

nationaltrust.org.uk

Leave the 21st century behind and step into the real working environments of the complete working historic estate. Shugborough is a rare example of the survival of a complete estate, with all major buildings including mansion house, servants' quarters, model farm and walled garden See, feel, hear and smell history as our costumed 'first person' characters take you on a journey into the inner workings of a large country estate and bring real working environments to life.

Stafford Castle

Newport Road
Stafford ST16 2DJ

staffordbc.gov.uk

This prominent vantage point and strategic site was quickly recognised by the Normans, who built a huge timber fortress here by 1100 AD. Originally built by Robert de Toeni (later known as Robert of Stafford), in the Norman period, Stafford Castle has dominated the local skyline for over 900 years. The visitor centre brings Stafford Castle to life.

Tamworth Castle

The Holloway, Ladybank
Tamworth B79 7NA

tamworthcastle.co.uk

A visit to Tamworth Castle takes you back in time and offers a perfect blend of fascinating history, regular live entertainment events and a stunningly complete building. As you explore the castle you can see for yourself the maze of intact rooms, halls and chambers that still echo with events from Saxon beginnings, Norman dynasties, Tudor grandeur and great family influences.

Tutbury Castle

Castle St Tutbury
Burton Upon Trent DE13 9JF

tutburycastle.com

Situated in the heart of England, Tutbury Castle sits on wooded slopes overlooking the winding River Dove, with spectacular views across the plain of the Dove to the beautiful Derbyshire hills. Its commanding view and natural defensive position makes this an obvious site for a castle. Now the castle is host to a variety of events from theatre to ghost hunts.

Wall Roman Site

Watling Street
Nr Lichfield WS14 0AW

goo.gl

Wall was an important staging post on Watling Street, the Roman military road to North Wales. It provided overnight accommodation for travelling Roman officials and imperial messengers.