Six amazing National Trust places in Staffordshire

Today (12th January 2024) marks the 129th anniversary of the incorporation of the National Trust by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley.

The founders set up the Trust to preserve the UK's coastline, historic sites, countryside and green spaces for future generations, and from humble beginnings has grown to become Europe's biggest conservation charity.

Today, it employs 10,000 staff and 50,000 volunteers, maintaining many acres of farmland and miles of coastline, and more than 500 sites - including six incredible and beautiful places to visit in Staffordshire.

Read on for our round-up of the best National Trust places in Staffordshire.

1. The Shugborough Estate

We begin our round-up of National Trust places in Staffordshire at The Shugborough Estate near Stafford.

The Shugborough Estate offers a chance to escape either by immersing yourself in nature in 900 acres of parkland, or in 300 years of history at the House, packed with treasures including the work of Patrick Lichfield, the Royal photographer and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Park Farm provides a revealing insight into the workings of a model farm - with rare breeds to meet too - while Explorers' Wood is the perfect place to let off some steam on the zip wire and climbing logs.

There is a large, free, accessible car park, and excellent facilities including a Changing Places toilet and pre-bookable mobility scooters. Dogs on a lead are welcome.

Standard admission for non-National Trust members is £13 for adults, £6.50 for children, and £32.50 for a family (or £19.50 for a family with one adult).

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/shugborough-estate for more information.

Image: Jana Eastwood

2. Biddulph Grange Garden

With its Chinese garden, Egyptian court, Italian terrace and unique fossil gallery, Biddulph Grange Garden, on the Staffordshire-Cheshire border, is unlike any other National Trust property in the country.

Designed to take you on a global journey, there is a Grade I-listed historic garden packed with plants from around the world, along with the oldest stumpery in the country, and a play area with climbing frames, seesaws, balance beams and more.

Parking is free, and while there is an accessible toilet, induction loop and other excellent facilities, there are also steps, gradients and dark tunnels.

Only assistance dogs are allowed on site. Standard ticket prices are £12 adult, £6 child, and £30 family (or £18 for a family with one adult) for non-National Trust members.

Further details are available at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/biddulph-grange-garden

3. Kinver Edge & Rockhouses

Another quirky property on our list of National Trust places in Staffordshire is Kinver Edge, near Stourbridge, with its amazing Rockhouses carved into the sandstone cliffs.

Inhabited as recently as the 1960s, the houses have been restored by the Trust to give a flavour of what life would have been like in the 1700s and beyond.

After your journey back in time, a walk to the Iron Age hill fort is highly recommended, as you'll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

Dogs on a lead are welcome everywhere on the site except the houses and tea room.

Access to the houses is via steep steps, and there are a number of inclines on pathways.

There is free lay-by parking on Compton Road, and standard admission prices are £6.50 adults, £3.25 children, and £16.25 families (£9.75 if one adult).

Find out more at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/kinver-edge-and-the-rock-houses

4. Ilam Park

Close to the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border, in the Peak District National Park, is Ilam Park, the gateway to The White Peak.

The ideal base for walking to stunning locations like Dovedale, with its well-loved stepping stones, and the imposing Thor's Cave in The Manifold Valley, Ilam Park also has plenty to help you while away a few hours on the site.

Explore the Italian Garden, browse the visitor centre and second-hand bookshop, and refuel after your exertions in the Manifold Tea Room.

There is a Changing Places toilet, accessed via a radar key, and some uneven surfaces, steps and stiles to be aware of.

Admission to the visitor centre and grounds is free, while parking is free for National Trust members, and up to £6 for non-members. Ticket machines do not take cards so make sure you have some cash with you.

Dogs on a lead are welcome. 

Further information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/ilam-park-dovedale-and-the-white-peak

5. Moseley Old Hall

Moseley Old Hall is a must for anyone with a passion for history - and particularly Royal history.

Built around 1600 (exact date unknown), this Elizabethan farmhouse played a vital role in Charles II's escape from Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army in 1651, enabling him to hide in a priest hole and chapel attic.

There's also a 17th Century knot garden, a three-storey tree hide, and a heritage orchard to discover.

There is an accessible toilet, but the top floors of the house and the tea room are accessed only from the stairs.

It's assistance dogs only in the house and tea room, but your canine companion can explore the rest of the site, as long as they're on a lead.

Standard admission prices are £10 adults, £5 children, and £25 for families (£15 if only one adult). There is free parking available opposite the hall.

Full details are available here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/moseley-old-hall

Image: Phil Evans

6. Wightwick Manor & Gardens

The final property in our round-up of National Trust places in Staffordshire, Wightwick Manor & Gardens, is notable for its world-class collection of William Morris interiors and pre-Raphaelite artworks.

There are Arts & Crafts Gardens designed by Thomas Mawson, and a Victorian kitchen garden with heated peach house, as well as a natural play area with climbing tower and balance walk which is perfect for younger visitors.

There is also a shop selling ranges inspired by William Morris and others from the Arts & Crafts Movement.

There are accessible toilets, an induction loop, and Braille guides to the manor, along with an accessible route map for the grounds. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed, and there is also a volunteer-driven buggy available on request.

Dogs on short leads are welcome across the site, apart from the kitchen garden.

Standard admission prices are £14 adults, £7 children, and £35 families (£21 if only one adult), and parking is free (satnav postcode WV6 8BN).

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands/wightwick-manor-and-gardens for details.

Historic houses in Staffordshire

If you would like to know more, our History and Heritage section features information on Staffordshire's historic houses, including Weston Park, Boscobel House and the Ancient High House, and other places to visit like Tamworth Castle and Lichfield Cathedral.