Historic Houses & Open Gardens

Staffordshire has a rich heritage and culture – both popular and traditional. With theme parks such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park and Zoo as well as great theatres and cinema complexes, the rich Pottery industry with its museums and visitors’ centres plus various local museums, historic houses, open gardens and art galleries there is something to suit everyone. 

Trentham Gardens and Monkey Park are popular open gardens and leisure areas and there are scores of country houses and gardens that are open to the public.

Moseley Old Hall is a historic house owned by the National Trust and an interesting place to visit if you want to know more about the English Civil War; the panelled walls conceal a secret hiding place, which was designed for catholic priests but also used by King Charles after the battle of Worcester in 1651.  There is an exhibition in the barn, which tells the story of Charles’ escape from the Parliamentarians. The attic contains a small chapel and in the roof are many cramped priest holes. The garden has a formal knot garden and is full of 17th century plants and herbs.

A trip to Staffordshire would not be complete without a visit to Lichfield Cathedral which has a splendid setting and a fascinating history. Its three spires are unique amongst medieval cathedrals and are often referred to as 'the Ladies of the Vale'.

The church's history begins in the 7th century when Bishop Chad moved the seat of his diocese to Lichfield. Although only Bishop for three years, Chad converted many to Christianity and after his death he remained a popular figure inspiring many miracles. Pilgrimages to his shrine have taken place for 1300 years.

A few yards from Lichfield Cathedral is a historic house, which was the home of Erasmus Darwin. Here you can find out about the life of the grandfather of Charles Darwin and learn about his early theories of evolution. Features include interactive displays and a herb garden.

Ford Green Hall is a 17th Century timber framed historic house and open gardens. Home to the Ford family for nearly 200 years, the hall offers a fascinating insight into 17th century living.

Shugborough is the ancestral home of the 5th Earl of Lichfield, who as Patrick Lichfield is known worldwide as a leading photographer and part of the house is still lived in by the Earl and his family. The 18th century house contains a fine collection of ceramics, silver, paintings and French furniture. It also lays claim to being the UK's only complete working historic estate with working kitchens, dairy, water mill, brewhouse and farm, all manned by guides in historic costume who are trained to speak and behave as though they were living in the early 1800s.

Other historic houses include Chillington Hall, Izaak Walton’s cottage, Sandon Hall and Whitmore Hall.

As well as historic houses, the beautiful countryside of Staffordshire is a wonderful setting for an outstanding variety of open gardens, with both traditional and contemporary styles. 

Explore great parkland landscapes and intimate woodland gardens, lakes and follies, historic design and innovative plantings by celebrated designers. Visit one of the finest displays of roses in Europe, and Botanical Gardens with plants from around the world.

Some of Staffordshire’s finest open gardens include Biddulph Grange Garden, Consall Hall Landscape Gardens, The Dorothy Clive Gardens, National Memorial Arboretum, Shugborough Estate and Weston Park.