Stafford

Stafford takes its name from the words 'ford' and 'staithe', the latter meaning landing place. Stafford Castle was built by the Normans and dates back to 1090. Stafford is famous for its shoe making which has since unfortunately ceased. It has also been home to some well known engineering companies. Perkins engines and Bostik adhesives operate from around and within Stafford.

Visitors should definately visit the castle and The Elizabethan High House which is the largest timber framed house in England. The Shire Hall was built in 1798 and served as a court house and Mayors office. Today it is home to an Art Gallery. It is a Grade II listed building.

Shugborough Hall is nearby and some 4 miles from the town centre. Once owned by the Earls of Lichfield it is now a National Trust property set in 400 acres of parkland. Weston Hall is also close by and holds many events throughout the year including a large vintage car rally and the V-Festival.

For more photographs of Stafford click here

Museum of Cannock Chase

The Museum of Cannock Chase occupies the old site of the Valley Colliery. Set in 30 acres on the edge of Cannock Chase it documents the story of the local industrial heritage, social history, famous people and domestic life. Hednesfield Hill Nature Reserve heathland is right next door and ideal for long walks across the Chase.

Entrance to the museum is free and there is a Visitor Information Point, a gift shop and a cafe. The building which houses the museum used to be the corn store where pit ponies were once kept. The museum provides a fascinating insight into local history, culture and tradition.


Museum of Cannock Chase, Valley Road, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS12 1TD. 

Tel: 01543 877666. 

For more photographs of Cannock Chase & the museum click here or view on You Tube

 

Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase is an open expanse of countryside in Staffordshire. It is used for a number of leisure activities such as horse riding, cycling and walking. With open heathland and woodland it is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a busy tourist attraction in the summer months.  There are several visitor centres and the recommended walks are signposted by colour coded signs giving a choice of easy, moderate and hard walks.

Mining used to take place around the Chase and there are several war memorials and a German and Commonwealth war cemetery.

For more photographs of Cannock Chase and the Museum click here or view on You Tube

Burton-on-Trent

Burton-on-Trent is famous for its beer. It was once known as the brewing capital of the UK. There are still breweries here today and one of the main visitor attractions is the Coors Visitor Centre and Museum of Brewing. Burton is also the home of Marmite the food made from brewers yeast that you either love or hate. Walking around the town you can see in the buildings the legacy that brewing has given the town of Burton-on-Trent, a town which gets its name from the River Trent that passes through it.

Historically a religious centre in medieval times the town was also the site of two famous battles in 1322 when Edward III defeated the Earl of Lancaster and in 1643 when the town was captured by Royalists in the English Civil War. The town is also mentioned in the Domesday book when Burton Abbey was one of the most important religious centre in Staffordshire. 

 

Burton today has some good shopping facilities, a choice of excellent hotels and some fine restaurants and pubs. Just 24 miles to the north of Birmingham it has its own realways station and easy access to the main highways.

For more photographs of Burton on Trent click here or view on You Tube

Shugborough Estate

Shugborough Estate is situated in Great Haywood just 4 miles from Stafford. It used to be owned by the Bishops of Lichfield but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries it was purchased by the Anson family and remained with them until it was gifted to the National Trust in 1960.

Today visitors can walk through the 900 acres of parkland and riverside gardens and see the magnificent mansion house with its working servants quarters and farm. For families with young children there is also a train ride, play park and restauratn and tea room facilities as well as a gift shop and craft workshops.

For more photographs of the Shugborough Estate click here or view on You Tube