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Alton Towers

This 19th-c neo-Gothic mansion was home to the Earls of Shrewsbury, and was once the largest private house in Europe. Today it is renowned for its contemporary theme park and landscaped gardens, which attract over 2 million visitors every year. The theme park is a Disneyland style fun and fantasy world for visitors of all ages, filled with fairground attractions and many white knuckle rides such as log flumes, corkscrews, roller-coasters and other dramatic attractions with varying degrees of terror! There are also gentler rides for younger children, cinema shows, a cable car and a boating lake with swan boats. A daily parade runs from the main house with a host of decorated floats and colourful characters. The parks extensive gardens were landscaped by Capability Brown.

Opening times: open daily. Admission Charge
Location: Staffordshire, ST10 4DB - Tel: 08705 204060 - Website
Book Tickets Online: Attractiontix

Cannock Chase

An area of outstanding natural beauty and a haven for foxes, badgers, red squirrels, wild deer, grouse and green woodpeckers. This vast wooded area, with around 30,000 acres of wild parkland, was once the hunting ground of royalty.

Chillington Hall

The house has been the home of the Giffard family since the 12th-c. The hall was rebuilt during the 15th-c in Georgian style. Historical tours and regular events from April to August. The seasonal guided garden walks are excellent, see website for details.

Location: Port Lane, Brewood, Wolverhampton WV8 1RE
Tel: 01902 850236
Website: chillingtonhall.co.uk
Image Credit: Mick Malpass (CC2)

Eccleshall Castle

The ruins of this 13th-c castle include an unusual nine-sided tower. The house is not open to the public but the magnificent gardens are opened now and again to raise funds for local charities.

Izaak Walton's Cottage

Izaak Walton the author of the 'The Compleat Angler' (first published 1653), was the son of a Staffordshire inn keeper, and was born in Eastgate Street, Stafford circa 1593. The small timber-framed, wattle and daub, thatched cottage is indicative of 16th century cottages in this area. The cottage contains a small museum dedicated to Walton's life and works. There is also a small library containing historic works relating to angling, including a first edition of 'The Compleat Angler'.

Opening times: May~Aug: Sundays 1pm to 5pm. Admission Free
Location: Shallowford, ST15 0PA
Tel: 01785 760278
Image Credit: Mick Malpass (CC2)

Moseley Old Hall

An modest Elizabethan house where King Charles was sheltered in 1651, following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester. Set in lovely traditional old gardens. Run by National Trust

Location: Featherstone, Wolverhampton WV10 7HY
Tel: 01902 782808
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Image Credit: © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Shugborough Hall

Located 5 miles southeast of the county town of Stafford, The white, colonnaded Shugborough Hall is a neo-classical mansion built around 1693. It later became the ancestral home of the Earls of Lichfield.

The house is currently open to the public and hosts the Staffordshire County Museum, devoted to arts and crafts, with heritage industry, agriculture and textile exhibits. It also contains outstanding collections of porcelain, silver, glass, furniture and fine art paintings.

The grounds and gardens contain many flamboyant follies such as a Triumphal Arch, exotic Chinese house and a Doric temple. There is also a County Museum and a rare breeds farm with a working corn mill. Run by National Trust.

Location: Great Haywood, Milford ST17 0XB - Tel: 0845 459 8900
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Image Credit: © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Tamworth Castle

A magnificent Norman motte and bailey castle built on a mound raised in 913 by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. It was once the home of Staffordshire's royal elite. It is said to be haunted by two lady ghosts. A great family day out with puzzles, quizzes, dressing-up in period costume and brass rubbing, ideal for teaching children (and adults) about English history. Special events are provided throughout the year.

Location: Holloway, Ladybank, Tamworth B79 7NA
Tel: 01827 709626
Website: tamworthcastle.co.uk

Tutbury Castle

Set high on a steep escarpment, the castle ruins date from the 12th-c. Mary Queen of Scots was twice imprisoned in its towers. Open all year round for ticketed events and private functions.

Location: Castle St, Burton upon Trent, Tutbury DE13 9JF
Tel: 01283 812129
Website: tutburycastle.com
Image Credit: Simon Johnson (CC2)

Wightwick Manor

This fine half-timbered manor house, built between 1887 and 1893, houses a collection of drawings by Burne Jones, watercolours by Ruskin and wallpapers and fabrics by William Morris. Run by National Trust

Location: Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton WV6 8BN
Tel: 01902 761400
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Image Credit: © National Trust/Robert Morris

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Towns and Cities in Staffordshire

Cannock, Lichfield, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, Walsall, Wolverhampton

Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.