The Ancient High House — Attraction in Stafford

To call the Ancient High House a hidden gem is strange as it's far from hidden. Built during the reign of Elizabeth the first it's history is fascinating. Charles the first stayed there at the very dawn of the civil war that would end in his beheading. The rooms of the house depict different eras of it's life. Each room is a journey through its 427 years. The Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian periods within a building that is believed to be the largest surviving timber-framed Tudor town house in England. Along with the unlevel flooring and usual aspects of a building of this age there are walls with surviving examples of early 18th century wallpaper and even what appears to be graffiti from the 19th century on walls in the loft which serves as the museum of the Staffordshire Yeomanry. The museum in the loft space with it's uniforms and weapons is a worthy of a visit by itself. There are a couple of rooms displaying various temporary exhibitions such as a very good photography one when we visited. One room goes into detail about how the building was created. The main entrance is a small gift shop (I'd recommend the guidebook) and from there a wooden staircase leads to the three floors. Very atmospheric and well worth a visit. Entry is free and it's open every day of the week except Sunday and Monday.

Oh and keep your eyes open for an iconic Two...

What a delightful place to visit. The wonderful lady behind the front desk told us that the house dates back to Elizabeth the 1st in 1545 and was actually built in the shape of an E.

Those of you from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (like me 😊) and Ireland will be interested to note that Charles the 1st and Prince Rupert took refuge here and set up his headquarters whilst waiting for back up from troops from Wales and Ireland 🇮🇪 at the start of the civil war in 1642.

There is a room showing how the house was constructed and shows the bare bones of the structure, And a room showing an exhibition on the many ways Arsenic was used in daily life to make a beautiful green colour that slowly poisoned you and your loved ones as you enjoyed the beautiful shade of green in your fine clothes and fine dining. (who needs enemies hey)

The beautiful tapestries, especially in the bedroom in my photos were all hand-made with love and care by women from Stafford who, I was told have all since now passed on, taking their excellent skills with them.

It is free to visit. There is a gift shop on the ground floor that takes both cash and card payment.

Please be generous and buy stuff and make a donation, don't worry if you don't have cash, they do take a card payment. 😎

There are toilets however there is no disabled access to the building given its age...

I have visited The ancient High House many times. Each time I go I see something new that I had not noticed previously. Each room has a design to see. Each floor different. I love its wooden shell. It creeks and I love the history floor. Learning about Staffordshire regiment was fab!! It's free to visit.!!! I long for it to maintained for long lasting future.. and do think if donation boxes where placed around the building people would freely...