8 Must visit National Trust properties in Staffordshire
Founded in 1895, the National Trust has been preserving the best and most beautiful parts of Britain for 130 years. It boasts an impressive portfolio of castles, churches, stately homes, gardens, historic sites, and more. So, whether you’re looking to enjoy a day in the great outdoors, spend a rainy day exploring a historic house, or uncover more of our country’s history, you’re spoilt for choice. And nowhere more so than the Midlands.
Here at The Moat House, we are surrounded by several impressive National Trust properties ripe for exploring. So, to help you decide where to visit during your stay, we’ve narrowed down our eight must-visit National Trust properties in Staffordshire.
Shugborough Estate
Described by the National Trust as 'a Staffordshire paradise' Shugborough Estate offers something for everyone. As well a magnificent Georgian mansion set within 900 acres of ancient forests, sweeping parkland and sculptured gardens, the estate boasts a working farm, woodland play area, two cafes, several shops, a pint-sized garden centre and Europe’s widest Yew tree.
All of this means Shugborough promises a fun-filled family day out and easily ranks as one of the best National Trust properties in Staffordshire.
Location: Milford, near Stafford, ST17 0UP.
Price: £17 for adults, £8.50 for children.
Parking: On-site car park.
Are dogs allowed? Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in all outdoor areas of the estate and the Park Farm café. Assistance dogs are allowed in all buildings and Park Farm House.
Letocetum Roman Baths and Museum
Letocetum was once a staging post on Watling Street, an important and lengthy Roman road, running from Richborough in Kent to North Wales.
Nowadays, all that remains are ruins. But if you use your imagination, you can picture the bustling ancient inn and steaming baths. There's a museum on site too, run by English Heritage, offering greater insight into Roman life in Britain.
Location: Watling Street, Wall, near Lichfield, WS14 0AW.
Price: Free.
Parking: Free parking available nearby.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, on leads.
Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses is perhaps one of the quirkiest National Trust properties in Staffordshire.
You can explore the Iron Age hillfort and discover miles of local woodland at Kinver, but it’s the Rock Houses that captivate most visitors. These unique cave dwellings are carved into Kinver's craggy sandstone peaks, and incredibly, some were inhabited as recently as the 1960s.
Location: Compton Road, Kinver, near Stourbridge, DY7 6DL.
Price: £8.50 for adults, £4.25 for children.
Parking: Free parking in a nearby lay-by.
Are dogs allowed? Dogs are allowed in the garden and meadow (with leads) but not in the tearoom or inside the Rock Houses.
Moseley Old Hall
This impressive Elizabethan manor is famous for being the place where King Charles II sought refuge in 1651 following the Battle of Worcester. Visitors today can see the four-poster bed in which Charles slept, as well as the tiny 'priest-hole' where the King ensconced himself during a Parliamentarian raid.
It's not all ruffs and skirmishes, though. Like most National Trust properties in Staffordshire, Moseley Old Hall has its fair share of family-friendly facilities, including a pretty knot garden, tearoom, and second-hand bookshop.
Location: Moseley Old Hall Lane, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, WV10 7HY.
Price: £12 for adults, £6 for children.
Parking: On-site car park.
Are dogs allowed? Dogs on leads are allowed in the grounds and gardens. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the property.
Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak
Set in the spectacular Staffordshire and Derbyshire Peak District, Illam Park, Dovedale, and the White Peak area are perfect for those looking to spend a day in the great outdoors.
Marvel at Dovedale’s ancient ravine woodland, spot an array of flora and fauna or explore the many walking trails of the White Peak countryside before heading to the Manifold tearoom to grab a drink and something to eat.
The car park is open from 9am until 6pm daily, while the tearoom opens from 10am until 5pom.
Location: Moseley Old Hall Lane, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, WV10 7HY.
Price: Free to enter
Parking: On-site car park - £6 for four hours, £8 over four hours
Are dogs allowed? Dogs on leads welcome.
Downs Banks
Discover a woodland wilderness in the heart of the midlands at Downs Banks.
With far-reaching views on a clear day, a stroll along a 2.3-mile route is the perfect way to spend a morning outdoors in Staffordshire. En route, watch out for the National Trust’s friendly cattle that graze the area from spring to autumn, as well as elusive kingfishers darting along the stream.
The path is narrow, with uneven terrain and some steeper climbs, so stout footwear is a must.
Location: Washdale Lane, Oulton Heath, Near Stone, Staffordshire
Price: Free
Parking: Limited parking for approximately 30 cars.
Are dogs allowed? Dogs allowed.
Biddulph Grange Garden
A masterpiece of Victorian garden design, Biddulph Grange Garden is one National Trust property in Staffordshire that never fails to impress. Not only home to a Grade I listed historic garden, but it also features a spectacular Chinese garden, a geological gallery of Victorian fossils, the oldest stumpery in the country, and an impressive Egyptian tableau leading visitors further into the impressive gardens.
On-site facilities include a tearoom, a garden centre and a woodland adventure playground for little ones.
Location: Grange Road, Biddulph, Staffordshire, ST8 7SD
Price: Adults £13, Child £6.50
Parking: Limited parking for approximately 30 cars.
Are dogs allowed? Only assistance dogs permitted.
Wightwick Manor and Gardens
Notable for its world-class collection of William Morris interiors, this Arts and Crafts manor is one of our must-visit National Trust properties in Staffordshire. As well as soaking up the Arts and Crafts décor, you can view an extensive collection of pre-raphaelite artworks, explore the Arts and Crafts garden and kitchen garden or let your little ones run wild at the woodland play area with a climbing tower and balance walk.
To top off your visit, treat yourself to something delicious from the tearoom or get some retail therapy in the shop, garden centre and secondhand bookshop.
Location: Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8EE Use SAT NAV WV6 8BN
Price: Adults £17, Children £8.50
Parking: Free, entrance is just off A454 (for SatNavs use postcode WV6 8BN)
Are dogs allowed? Assistance dogs welcome in all areas. Dogs on short leads permitted in the gardens (except in the kitchen garden).
Stay in the heart of the Staffordshire
With so many great National Trust properties in Staffordshire to explore, book a stay at The Moat House Hotel.
Our 4-star AA luxury Grade II listed manor house invites you to relax and recharge in our individually designed, super comfy rooms equipped with all the mod-cons. And, after a busy day out exploring all these amazing National Trust sites, you can indulge in the finest dining in our 2 AA Rosette Orangery restaurant.