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Things to do in Staffordshire

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Staffordshire, in the north midlands of England, is a County of contrasts, known for the production of pottery, brewing, and two of Britain's favourite theme parks - Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park.

The Rivers Blyth, Churnet and Trent run through the County, also a Canal network encompassing the Birmingham and Fazely, Caldon, Coventry, Shropshire Union, Trent and Mersey Canals.

The town of Leek is in the north east of the County, in the upland area known as Staffordshire Moorlands, a great area for rock climbing, sailing and walking.

In the village of Biddulph is Biddulph Grange Garden, a restored Victorian garden, with inspired ideas from countries around the world.

Picture courtesy Britain on View. Since the 17th century the area around Stoke on Trent has been manufacturing pottery.

Six towns, Burslem, Fenton, Hanley (now the city centre), Longton, Stoke and Tunstall, are collectively known as 'The Potteries', and make up the city of Stoke on Trent.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.

Copeland, Minton, Spode and Wedgwood are incomparable examples of fine porcelain and pottery manufactured here.

Today most of the bottle shaped brick ovens have been taken down, made redundant by the use of electricity and gas, the few remaining can be seen at museums devoted to the potteries such as Etruria Industrial Museum.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.Nearby in the village of Alton is Britain's best known theme park, Alton Towers. Other places of interest are Ford Green Hall, well worth visiting, and at nearby Blyth Bridge you can enjoy a five mile round trip on Foxfield Steam Railway.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.Staffordshire Tourist Information can be found in the County Town of Stafford, whose history goes back over 1, 000 years. Visit medieval Stafford Castle and Stafford's oldest house The Ancient High House. Nearby at Milford is the ancestrial home of Lord Lichfield, Shugborough Hall, a historic working estate, in the care of the National Trust.

The old town of Stone, offers cruising, sailing and walking, the River Trent and the Trent and Mersey Canal run south of the town in lovely surrounding countryside. Visit nearby Shallowford to see Izaak Walton's Cottage, which he bequeathed to Stafford for charitable use.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.Burton upon Trent is famous as the home of brewing, due to the fine quality of its water. Also in this area is Uttoxeter, an unspoiled market town, known for its National Hunt Racecourse.

Abbots Bromley, south of Uttoxeter, is a delightful town with half timbered houses, typical of Staffordshire. The town is famous for its historic annual 'Horn Dance'.

The Cathedral city of Lichfield is situated in Southern Staffordshire, dominated by the Cathedral's three graceful spires, known as 'the ladies of the vale'. The house on the corner of Breadmarket Street is the birthplace of Samuel Johnson and is now a museum. Lichfield Heritage tells the story of the city over the last 2, 000 years.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.Lichfield hosts many events and festivals throughout the year, it has a lively arts programme at Lichfield Garrick, named after the 18th century actor David Garrick who grew up in the city. Lichfield is surrounded by delightful countryside, including Chasewater Country Park, with a large lake ideal for water sports.

At Tamworth, there are a variety of attractions to interest all the family - Tamworth Castle, Ash End House Children's Farm, Middleton Hall, Britain's first indoor ski slope, Snowdome, and just outside Tamworth is Drayton Manor Park.

Picture courtesy Britain on View.Cannock Chase is situated on a high plateau in south Staffordshire. It is a place of contrasts, encompassing several market towns such as Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford and has a long history of iron working, tool making and coal mining. Visit the Museum of Cannock Chase at Hednesford, to learn about the area's industrial heritage.

Cannock Chase is also an Area of Outstanding Beauty, with rolling hills, heath lands, and abundant wildlife. It is a well known beauty spot, popular with walkers cyclists and naturalists. At Castle Ring, the Iron Age Fort has been scheduled an ancient monument. Chasewater Country Park contains a steam railway, it also offers opportunities for angling, bird watching, sailing and water-skiing. To find out more about Cannock Chase and, call at the Visitor Centre.



Days out in Staffordshire

  • Alton Towers Resort
    Check out Britain's most famous theme park - lots of information about all the rides with lots of photos and videos.
    Alton Towers Resort
  • Ash End House Children's Farm
    Touch, see, smell feel and experience all the sights and sounds of a farm. Ash End House Farm is organised specially for children.
    Ash End House Children's Farm
  • Biddulph Grange Garden
    An unusual Victorian Garden, restored by the National Trust. Containing a series of connected gardens including a Chinese temple, Egyptian Court, Dahlia Walk, Scottish Glen, Parterres, Avenues and many other settings.
    Biddulph Grange Garden
  • Boscobel House
    Boscobel House was built in about 1632, when John Giffard of Whiteladies converted a timber-framed farmhouse into a hunting lodge.
    Boscobel House
  • Drayton Manor Theme Park
    For total family entertainment visit the award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.
    Drayton Manor Theme Park
  • Emma Bridgewater Factory
    The Emma Bridgewater factory lies in the heart of the historic Stoke Potteries region, in a sunny Victorian factory on the banks of the Caldon Canal.
    Emma Bridgewater Factory
  • Etruria Industrial Museum
    Situated at the junction between the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Cauldon Canal, Etruria Industrial Museum is centered around Jesse Shirley's Bone & Flint Mill.
    Etruria Industrial Museum
  • Ford Green Hall
    Ford Green Hall is a seventeenth century house complete with period garden. It was home to the Ford family for almost two centuries.
    Ford Green Hall
  • Foxfield Steam Railway
    Experience the nostalgia of this unique Heritage Steam Railway for a five and a half mile round journey, winding gently through some of North Staffordshire's most picturesque countryside.
    Foxfield Steam Railway
  • Izaak Walton's Cottage
    Izaac Walton is best remembered for writing the 'The Compleat Angler' which was completed in 1653. The following year he bought the Halfhead Estate which included the cottage.
    Izaak Walton's Cottage
  • Letocetum Roman Site
    The foundations of an inn and bath house can be seen at Wall Roman Site. The inn provided overnight accommodation for travelling Roman officials and imperial messengers.
    Letocetum Roman Site
  • Middleton Hall
    The Hall has an interesting architectural history with its earliest buildings dating from c.1300 and other buildings dating from the sixteenth century and the early nineteenth century.
    Middleton Hall
  • Moseley Old Hall
    The old redbrick Elizabethan farmhouse known as Moseley Old Hall has seen many historic events during its 400-year history. Built by merchant Henry Pitt in 1600.
    Moseley Old Hall
  • Moseley Old Hall - A National Trust Property
    This atmospheric, Elizabethan farmhouse has amazing stories to tell about what life was like in the 17th century.
    Moseley Old Hall - A National Trust Property
  • Museum of Cannock Chase
    Trace the Chase - Why not visit our new Heritage Lottery Funded Local History Gallery, and find out about the history of the Cannock Chase area? Interactive displays tell the story of our area.
    Museum of Cannock Chase
  • National Memorial Arboretum
    Located in the heart of the country, the National Memorial Arboretum comprises 150 acres of trees and memorials devoted to the concept of Remembrance.
    National Memorial Arboretum
  • SnowDome
    The SnowDome in Tamworth is the ultimate snow, ice and leisure experience. Whether it's a fun packed day on the snow, a family outing on the ice or a dip in the swimming pool, the SnowDome provides fun for all!
    SnowDome
  • Stafford Castle & Visitors Centre
    This prominent vantage point and strategic site was quickly recognised by the Normans, who built a huge timber fortress here by 1100 AD. Extensively rebuilt in the Gothic Revival Style in 1813, the castle fell into ruin through this century.
    Stafford Castle & Visitors Centre
  • Tamworth Castle
    Tamworth Castle is the number one heritage attraction located in the town centre of Tamworth. A visit to Tamworth Castle any time day or night is packed full of fun, mystery and adventure.
    Tamworth Castle
  • The Ancient High House
    Stafford's Ancient High House has been one of the most important buildings of the town for over four hundred years. Its late Elizabethan architecture makes it particularly distinctive among its 20th century neighbours.
    The Ancient High House



Places to Visit in Staffordshire

  • Abbots Bromley
    Abbot's Bromley, an attractive village south of Uttoxeter has an ancient church, and several typical, Staffordshire half timbered cottages. It is famous for the Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance, a tradition going back to medieval times
    Abbots Bromley
  • Alrewas
    The village of Alrewas is a charming backwater in Staffordshire, five miles north of Lichfield.
    Alrewas
  • Alton
    Mention the village of Alton in Staffordshire, and Alton Towers springs readily to mind. Alton is just minutes away from this well-known theme park.
    Alton
  • Anslow
    The ancestors of Anslow were forest dwellers, a hamlet in part of the once great Needwood Forest, land owned by the Mosely family.
    Anslow
  • Bramshall
    Bramshall is a pleasant village which lies just 2 miles west of the market town of Uttoxeter. The village benefits from its hilltop location, that provides views over the surrounding countryside, and in particular, of the Weaver Hills.
    Bramshall
  • Branston
    Branston on the River Trent is a pleasant place to live, with its fine golf course, a wealth of restaurants and public houses and comfortable housing with well kept gardens.
    Branston
  • Burton upon Trent
    Burton upon Trent, the largest town in the National Forest, is internationally known as the capital of British brewing. The River Trent and the Trent and Mersey canal wind their way majestically through the town.
    Burton upon Trent
  • Cannock
    Cannock is the largest town on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. It is situated in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nine miles north east of Wolverhampton.
    Cannock
  • Chartley Castle
    This is the story of Chartley, a prehistoric encampment since the dawn of Time. The ground upon which it stands has yielded up bronze age weapons proving that from the earliest of times, the instinct to get up on the high ground was conside
    Chartley Castle
  • Derrington
    Derrington, Stafford is a picturesque village west of the County Town of Stafford. It boasts a Millenium Green which has a wild meadow, fruit and nut trees, herb garden, willow maze and walkways.
    Derrington
  • Eccleshall
    Eccleshall is also an old coaching centre - and it's easy to imagine yourself back in the days of horse-drawn travel in one of its original coaching inns.
    Eccleshall
  • Gnosall
    Gnosall (pronounced Knowsall) is a large Staffordshire village lying on the A518 between Stafford and Newport Shropshire. It has a thriving community with a primary school and a variety of services (doctors, vets, hairdressers) and shops.
    Gnosall
  • Horninglow
    Once a farming village, urban expansion means Horninglow is now a suburb of Burton.
    Horninglow
  • Kingsley
    Kingsley is situated along the A52 Stoke to Asbourne road and is the southern most village in the Peak District and part of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
    Kingsley
  • Lichfield
    Located in southern Staffordshire, Lichfield has grown rapidly since the 1950s but retains a peaceful and stately charm due to its historic streets and buildings.The town's most famous son was Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
    Lichfield
  • Maer
    Maer is a rural village located on the borders of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, to the west of the pottery manufacturing town of Stoke-on-Trent.
  • Newcastle-under-Lyme
    The town of Newcastle-under-Lyme is part of the Potteries in Staffordshire.
    Newcastle-under-Lyme
  • Oakamoor
    Oakamoor is a very picturesque small village a few miles from the Peak District. The River Churnet runs through the village and summer days can be passed, just having a picnic on its banks.
    Oakamoor
  • Rushton Spencer
    Rushton Spencer is a rural area between the market town of Leek and Macclesfield. Rushton is home to the delightful timber framed church of St Lawrence.
  • Shugborough
    Shugborough, The Complete Working Historic Estate. Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and discover a bygone era as our costumed living history characters bringing the past to life.
    Shugborough
  • Stafford
    You can experience England's heritage at its richest in Stafford and the surrounding area. This ancient borough reveals history at its most colourful.
    Stafford
  • Stoke-on-Trent
    Stoke-on-Trent is a conurbation of six small towns - Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton - which make up The Potteries Staffordshire.
    Stoke-on-Trent
  • Stone
    The attractive town of Stone received its market charter in 1251, and built its fortunes on shoemaking, brewing coaching and canals.
    Stone
  • Sugnall
    Sugnall is a hamlet of Saxon origin in the parish of Eccleshall, and is almost all within the Sugnall Estate. Topographically it is part of the attractive headwaters of the River Sow
    Sugnall
  • Tamworth
    The Staffordshire town of Tamworth has a beautiful historic town centre. It is situated on the River Tame, 14 miles northeast of Birmingham.
  • Tatenhill
    Tatenhill and surrounding countryside includes Rangemore and Callingwood in the National Forest. Tatenhill church of St Michaels and All Angels contains a fine alabaster monument to Sir Hugh Griffiths with his wife.
    Tatenhill
  • Tutbury
    Tutbury - The Historic village on the banks of the River Dove, is dominated by the remains of the imposing Tutbury Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned three times.
    Tutbury
  • Uttoxeter
    Uttoxeter is a friendly market town in Staffordshire, close to the Peak District and the scenic River Dove.
    Uttoxeter
  • Weston-under-Lizard
    Weston-under-Lizard is a small but charming village in a scenic rural part of Staffordshire, close to the border with Shropshire.

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