Historic StaffordHistoric Stafford
Take a gentle stroll around Stafford with our knowledgeable guide to see the town in a new light. Learn about the secrets of the buildings and hear about colourful characters from the past.
The tour will last for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Meet outside the Ancient High House at 10.30am.
Book your place by calling the Ancient High House on 01785 619 131 or by emailing info@historicstafford.co.uk
Gross indecency, cross-dressing and scandal.
‘LGBT Time-Warp: 1500s to the Present’ is an interesting look at the progression of LGBT existence from the 1500s to the modern day, using the fascinating Ancient High House to facilitate the storytelling of queer history. Moving through the house, where each room is dedicated to a different historical era, you will discover the stories of many intriguing figures. From King James I to Oscar Wilde to Anne Lister, there is an exciting past that needs only to be uncovered.
This tour will be held on Friday 6th March 2026 at 7pm and last approximately 45 minutes.
Book your place by calling on 01785 619131 or visit us at the Ancient High House. Pre-booking is essential due to limited spaces.
Please note: no refunds can be given for a cancellation within 7 days of the workshop.
Please be aware that this tour is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Please be aware that this event is provisional and subject to change.
Book a slot for your very own tarot reading with a local professional, set within the historic Ancient High House.
Several local proffesional Tarot readers will be setting up in the Ancient High House for the night, sitting in beautiful atmospheric and decorated rooms full of history. 25 minute individual and bespoke readings are available to book from 6pm through to 8.30pm. After your tarot reading you are more than welcome to have a wander around the decorated and candlelit Ancient High House in the dark. There will be refreshments on the first floor so why not make your way there to discuss your readings with others!
THIS EVENT IS CASH ONLY AND PAYABLE ON THE NIGHT. Please bring cash on the night in order to see and pay the reader.
Pre booking is required. Please visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131 to book your place – this event has very limited spaces so please book quickly to ensure a spot! For more details, feel free to visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131.
Please be aware that this event is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Please be aware that this event is provisional and subject to change.
This Halloween something spooky is haunting the Ancient High House! Come along for some family-friendly spooks! Before 7.00pm things will be a little less spooky. Families may want to book a slot after this if you’re willing to brave the dark when things get a bit more creepy. Meet our assortment of odd characters that live around the House with all new theming in several of the rooms, enjoy spooky stories (6pm, 7pm and 8pm), haunted sweets and a children’s workshop.
Book your preferred arrival slot now through this web page to guarantee entry into the Haunted High House.
Pre booking is required. Please book via the website. For more details, feel free to visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131.
This is a family event and no under 18’s will be permitted without an adult accompanying them. Slots are bookable every half hour from 5.00pm till 8.30pm, with the event closing at 9pm.
Please be aware that this event is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Please be aware that this event is provisional and subject to change.
As the night draws in learn about the history of the ghosts that haunt the Ancient High House with this night time, lamp-led tour (over 18’s only).
In the past the Ancient High House has been a residential home, a civil war prison, a school and home to an antique shop. So it’s not surprising that a building with such a traumatic history should have tormented souls trapped within its walls…
Join one of our guides as they take you on a tour round the High House by dark. Hear the spooky tales that lie behind each room.
Pre booking is required. Please book via the website. For more details, feel free to visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131.
Please arrive at 7.15pm. The tour is 90 minutes long and includes refreshments of tea and coffee.
(Over 18’s only)
Please be aware that this event is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Please be aware that this event is provisional and subject to change.
As the night draws in learn about the history of the ghosts that haunt the Ancient High House with this night time, lamp-led tour (over 18’s only).
In the past the Ancient High House has been a residential home, a civil war prison, a school and home to an antique shop. So it’s not surprising that a building with such a traumatic history should have tormented souls trapped within its walls…
Join one of our guides as they take you on a tour round the High House by dark. Hear the spooky tales that lie behind each room.
Pre booking is required. Please book via the website. For more details, feel free to visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131.
Please arrive at 7.15pm. The tour is 90 minutes long and includes refreshments of tea and coffee.
(Over 18’s only)
Please be aware that this event is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Please be aware that this event is provisional and subject to change.
Join us at the Ancient High House after dark for an evening of history, discussing both the origins and evolution of Halloween before looking at the buildings many witch marks.
Arrive at 7pm for the first talk on the History of Halloween at 7.10. After this, enjoy some tea and coffee and discuss with visitors and staff during the refreshment break until the second talk on Witches Marks begins at 8pm. This will finish around 8.30 and then you will be free to explore the Ancient High House at your own pace, with it lit only by candlelight – a rare opportunity.
Pre booking is required. Please book via the website. For more details, feel free to visit or ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131.
Please be aware that this event is held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
Take a gentle stroll around Stafford with our knowledgeable guide to see the town in a new light. Learn about the secrets of the buildings and hear about colourful characters from the past.
The tour will last for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Meet outside the Ancient High House at 10.30am.
Book your place by calling the Ancient High House on 01785 619 131 or by emailing info@historicstafford.co.uk
Step back in time and explore Stafford’s rich heritage during the Stafford History Day event. As a part of this event, Historic Stafford will have multiple activities to take part in.
Please check back for updates as we add activities to the day.
This years events are subject to change. The below schedule is provisional:
With spooky entertainment across the whole week for all ages, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
The Ancient High House will be decorated for the whole week with a children’s spooky ‘Find the Ghosts’ trail, available to visit during our opening times in the day which will be free admission. Pop in any day from Tuesday through Saturday and have a go at finding all the ghosts.
On top of this, we have five evening events running Tuesday through Saturday:
TUES 27TH – HISTORICAL HALLOWEEN EVENING
WEDS 28TH – GHOST TOUR
THURS 29TH – TAROT READING IN THE HAUNTED HIGH HOUSE
FRI 30ST – HAUNTED HIGH HOUSE
SAT 31ST – GHOST TOUR
More information for each of these events can be found on our ‘What’s On’ page. Each event has its own webpage where you can learn more and online bookings are available for all of these with the exception of ‘Tarot Reading in the Haunted High House’. Links to some of these individual event pages can also be found below.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to pop in to the Ancient High House or ring us on 01785 619131 during our opening hours.
Please be aware that all of these events are held across the three floors of the Ancient High House, up several flights of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail between each floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor and the mens is on the second. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.
If you desire historic and exclusive surroundings in which to take your wedding vows look no further than the Ancient High House.
