Chillington Hall

Home of the Giffards since 1178. Built during 18th century by Francis Smith of Warwick and John Soane. Park designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. Smith’s Staircase, Soane’s Saloon and the Pool (a lake of…

The Heath House

The Heath House is an early Victorian mansion designed and built 1836-1840 in the Tudor style for John Burton Philips. The collection of paintings is a rare survival and has remained undisturbed since its…

Izaak Walton's Cottage

Stafford’s rural heritage is embodied in the charming 17th century cottage owned by the celebrated author of The Compleat Angler. Izaak Walton’s Cottage gives a fascinating insight into the history of angling and the life…

Sandon Hall

Sandon Hall, ancestral home of the Earls of Harrowby, is set in 400 acres of rolling parkland in the heart of Staffordshire. The impressive neo-Jacobean house contains numerous State Rooms as well as a family museum, which houses an array of different and unusual items. The Hall is an ideal setting for weddings, conferences and private parties, offering exclusivity in tranquil surroundings. The 50-acre formal gardens…

Stafford Castle & Visitor Centre

Stafford Castle has dominated the Stafford landscape for over 900 years. William the Conqueror first built Stafford Castle as a fortress to subdue the local populace. The visitor centre - built in the style of a Norman guardhouse…

Whitmore Hall

Whitmore Hall is a Grade I listed building, designated as a house of outstanding architectural and historical interest, and is a fine example of a small Carolinian manor house (1676), although parts of the hall date back to a much earlier period. The hall has beautifully proportioned light rooms, curving staircase and landing. There are some good family portraits to be seen with a continuous line, from 1624 to the present day. It has been the family seat, for over 900 years, of the Cavenagh- Mainwarings who are direct descendants of the original Norman owners. The interior of the hall has recently been refurbished and is in fine condition. The grounds include a beautiful home park with a lime avenue leading to the house, as well as landscaped gardens encompassing an early Victorian summer house. One of the outstanding features of Whitmore is the extremely rare example of a late Elizabethan stable…

Stoneleigh Abbey

Stoneleigh Abbey was founded in the reign of Henry II and after the Dissolution was granted to the Duke of Suffolk. The estate then passed into the ownership of the Leigh family who remained for 400 years. The estate is now managed by a charitable trust. Visitors will experience a wealth of architectural styles spanning more than 800 years: the magnificent State rooms and chapel of the 18th century Baroque West Wing contain original pieces of furniture including a set of library chairs made by William Gomm in 1763; a medieval Gatehouse; the Gothic Revival-style Regency Stables. Jane Austen was a distant relative of the Leigh family and in her description of ‘Sotherton’ in Mansfield Park she recalls her stay at Stoneleigh Abbey. Parts of Northanger Abbey also use Stoneleigh for inspiration. The River Avon flows through the estate’s 690 acres of grounds and parkland which displays the influences of Humphry Repton and other major landscape architects. In June 1858 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Stoneleigh Abbey - during their stay Queen Victoria planted an oak tree. In 2003 HRH Prince Charles visited Stoneleigh to mark the completion of the restoration of the Abbey and during his visit he also planted an English oak tree. Stoneleigh Abbey has been the subject of a major restoration programme funded by…

Warwick Castle

Bursting to the towers with tales of treachery and torture, passion and power and above all fascinating people, times and events, Warwick Castle is so much more than simply a castle. Experience preparations for battle, feel the weight of a sword and get a solider’s eye view from beneath a battle helmet, see lavishly decorated State Rooms, watch as a household prepares for a Victorian party and discover how electricity was generated over 100 years ago to light up the castle.With 60 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, there is plenty to see outside as well as in. Wander around the beautiful Peacock Garden and enter the 18th century Conservatory, filled with an array of exotic plants. There is also the Victorian Rose Garden to explore. See the world’s largest Trebuchet, a mighty siege machine similar to a catapult, measuring 18 metres high, weighing in at 22 tonnes and capable of shooting missiles up to 300 metres. Throughout the year there is a programme of fantastic special events including…

Compton Verney

Set within a Grade I listed mansion remodelled by Robert Adam in the 1760s, Compton Verney offers a unique art gallery experience. Relax and explore the 120 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland, discover a collection of…

The Hiller Garden