Located on the banks of the River Sow, Stafford is a historic market town in the West Midlands. It is believed to have been founded around 900 AD by the daughter of Alfred the Great, Aethelflaed, and operated its own mint until the reign of Henry II. Stafford is clustered with beautifully preserved historic buildings and was referred to as “Little London” by King James I.
Things to do in Stafford
Occupying an Elizabethan residence in the heart of Stafford is the Ancient High House, which is the largest timber-framed townhouse in England. It is open to the public as a museum, with period furnishings and exhibits detailing life in the region during the English Civil War, Edwardian and Victorian periods. Uniforms and artefacts from the Staffordshire Yeomanry are displayed in the attic.
Hugging both banks of the River Sow is Victoria Park, where you’ll find a children’s playground and grassy lawns ideal for relaxing and reading. During the summer months, live performances are held in the riverside amphitheatre and there’s a splash pad where kids can cool off.
A short drive west of Stafford takes you to the Grade II listed remains of an ancient castle, which was once the seat of the Anglo-Norman Stafford family. It was remodelled in the early 19th century in a Gothic Revival style, with the foundations incorporating much of the medieval stonework. You can follow the heritage trail that leads up the hill to Stafford Castle before trying on period armour in the visitor centre below.
Getting around Stafford
Stafford is around 40 minutes’ drive from Birmingham and 45 minutes from Birmingham Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Stafford railway station and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.