Stafford Heritage Trail – People, Power and Pleasure

Take a gentle stroll around Stafford with our knowledgeable guide to see the town in a new light with this tour taking a loop that looks at St Marys Church, the Alms Houses and Victoria Park amongst other locations. Learn about the secrets of the buildings and hear about colourful characters from the past.

The tour will last for approximately 1 hour. Meet outside the Ancient High House at 10.30am.

There are toilets at the Ancient High House (starting point) and at Victoria Park for this tour. The majority of this route is flat and with no steps (unless there is a need to enter the Ancient High House) and would be suitable for wheelchair users. There are 3 roads to cross on this tour, one with a pelican crossing.

Book your place by calling the Ancient High House on 01785 619 131 or by emailing info@historicstafford.co.uk

Stafford Heritage Trail – Greengate Street and Beyond

Take a gentle stroll around Stafford with our knowledgeable guide to see the town in a new light with this tour taking a particular focus on Greengate Street (the High Street) and onwards onto Crabbery Street. Learn about the secrets of the buildings and hear about colourful characters from the past.

The tour will last for approximately 1 hour. Meet outside the Ancient High House at 10.30am.

There are toilets at the Ancient High House (starting point) for this tour. The majority of this route is flat and with no steps (unless there is a need to enter the Ancient High House) and would be suitable for wheelchair users. There are no major road crossings for this tour.

Book your place by calling the Ancient High House on 01785 619 131 or by emailing info@historicstafford.co.uk

LGBTQ+ Time-Warp: 1500’s to the Present

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

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.

Tarot Reading in the Haunted High House

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.

Haunted High House

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.

Ghost Tour at the Ancient High House

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.

Ghost Tour at the Ancient High House

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.

Historical Halloween Evening

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.

Summer Trail at Stafford Castle

Can you find all seven mythical creatures hiding around Stafford Castle?

Starting at Stafford Castle Visitor Centre, pick up your free trail and work your way around the site. Using Professor Whiteletter’s instructions, try to locate all of the creatures and complete some fun activities along the way! Finishing in the Herb Garden, take your trail notebook back to the visitor centre and receive your certificate!

The Summer Trail will be available on Wednesdays to Sundays, from 11.15 am to 3.00 pm, Wednesday 19th to Monday 31st August.

The trail will take approximately one hour and will involve walking through the woodland and site across uneven ground, some inclines and steps. Please keep to pathways when following the trail. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.

For more information, contact us at info@historicstafford.co.uk or call us on 01785 257698.

You can collect a trail from Stafford Castle Visitor Centre which is fully wheelchair accessible with no steps needed for access. The front doors can be opened wide if required to enter the building. The toilets are in a nearby building which features an accessible toilet. This trail will take you all around the Stafford Castle site. The grounds and woodland are also accessible but please be aware that there is a steep hill leading up to the Castle Keep. There is a woodland path that forms a loop around the base of the site which can be accessed without steps, however the path can be muddy depending on time of year and weather conditions. The Castle Keep is only accessible via a short staircase and the entrances into the ruins are narrow. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required. If you have any questions about the accessibility of this trail, please contact us at the Ancient High House on 01785 619131 or send us an email at info@historicstafford.co.uk.

Bat Walk at Stafford Castle

Come along for our annual, popular, evening walk on the wild side with an expert from Stafford Bat Group.

You will be guided, listening and watching out for furry friends as they dart through the woodland and you will learn about these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat!

Parking is free for the event. Please book soon due to limited spaces.

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 that we of course cannot guarantee any bat sightings during this walk, however we have a good track record with seeing them for these walks and there are populations confirmed to be living within the woodland at Stafford Castle.

Please be aware that this walk takes place around the circular woodland walk at Stafford Castle. This is wheelchair accessible as the path does not feature any steps for the route the walk will take, however the path can be muddy depending on time of year and weather conditions. The toilets are in a nearby building which features an accessible toilet. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required. If you have any questions about the accessibility of this walk, please contact us at the Ancient High House on 01785 619131 or send us an email at info@historicstafford.co.uk.

WEDDINGS AT THE ANCIENT HIGH HOUSE

If you desire historic and exclusive surroundings in which to take your wedding vows look no further than the Ancient High House.

Find out more