<img src='' title='Event Category: Events' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Events

Viking Re-Enactment

An entertaining, educational and interactive day out suitable for all the family and fans of Vikings alike!

The Vikings are back at Stafford Castle and they are setting up camp for the weekend. This year we want to go bigger and better than ever – the return of your favourite activities is confirmed with ‘Have a go Javelin’, ‘Kiddie-Vike’, Viking talks and demonstrations such as weaving, weapon usage and cooking. Don’t miss the Viking games (such as Kubb and Nine Men Morris), Have-a-go archery, coin minting, arms and armour displays either. Everyone can look the part by visiting the wound painting stall to make yourself look fearsome or perhaps more friendly by visiting our face painting stall. Each day the Vikings will gather, blow the horns, and march onward up to the Inner Bailey at the top of the site to commence in a skirmish and a larger, full battle at the end of the day. Come along and watch as the different factions vie for victory and battle with Stafford town as their backdrop and with commentating for all to follow. No matter what day you come (both if you want) you can immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of a Viking Village and for our younger guests you will be able to make a small Viking Longboat in our workshop! If you’re hungry how about heading over to the Woodsmoke BBQ for a variety of options including a vegan choice, or maybe have some pizza, toasties, sausage rolls or ice cream from our other food providers.

All this and lots more…. don’t miss it!

Viking Re-Enactment takes place on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th August 2026, between 10.00am and 4.00pm both days at Stafford Castle, Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 1DJ.

Most activities, stalls and things to see are free however we will have a small charge for the children’s workshop.

Event admission is free but there is a charge for parking if required. We strongly encourage walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing to get to the event! It is about a 30 minute walk from Stafford Railway Station, near the town centre, to Stafford Castle. The 5A bus can be caught outbound from Stafford Town Centre to Stafford Castle (Thorneyfields Lane/adj Thorneyfields Lane stops) on Sundays, throughout the duration of the event.

We have plenty of parking space at this event with an overflow FREE parking option at King Edward VI High School. Please do not park on surrounding roads and verges nearby to Stafford Castle – this will be monitored during the event. Blue badge parking will be charged the same amount but there are allocated places for these vehicles, nearest to the event area.

Please be aware that pictures will be being taken at this event that may be used for our website or on our social media accounts.

Please bring cash if you are parking as this is essential to pay the parking charge.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Bring a picnic and spend the day relaxing with us and spending time with all the family…and Teddy Bears!

Join us for all sorts of fun and entertainment in the tranquil garden’s of Izaak Walton’s Cottage. Aimed at our younger visitors and families, we will have magic shows, storytelling, a bear hunt,  face painting, cakes, ice cream, a pony, children’s workshops, stalls and even a visit from Pudsey Bear himself! Make sure you pack a picnic and don’t forget your teddy bear!

Teddy Bears Picnic takes place on Sunday the 19th July 2026, between 11.00am and 4.00pm at Izaak Walton’s Cottage, Worston Lane, Stone, ST15 OPA.

Most activities, stalls and things to see are free but please bring cash for parking, refreshments and other purchasable items as there are no card readers at the Cottage.

Event admission is free but there is a charge for parking if required. We strongly encourage cycling and car sharing to get to the event!

We have plenty of parking space at this event on a field nearby to the Cottage. Please do not park on surrounding roads – this will be monitored during the event.

Please be aware that pictures will be being taken at this event that may be used for our website or on our social media accounts.

Please bring cash if you are parking as this is essential to pay the parking charge.

Wildlife at the Castle

A free, furry, family friendly, fantastic, fun packed day!

Join us at Stafford Castle and see the return of one of our most popular events. We will have plenty of animals for you to see including an exotic zoo with hands on opportunities, a beautiful pony, bees in an observation hive, birds of prey, alpacas and even ferrets! To help you learn all about nature and wildlife there will be plenty of stalls from both local and national charities providing information about a variety of important topics. But that’s not all! Have a look and treat yourself to some local produce, supplies, crafts and artwork from Staffordshire businesses. If you’re hungry how about heading over to our food stalls for a variety of options including a vegan choice, or maybe have some pizza, toasties, sausage rolls or ice cream. With have-a-go archery, face painting, herb garden demonstrations by our volunteer team, a children’s craft workshop, games, roaming entertainment, coin minting and arms/armour displays at the Castle keep, a woodland trail, cakes and jams this is every nature lovers dream.

All this and lots more…. don’t miss it!

Wildlife at the Castle takes place on Sunday the 17th May 2026, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. at Stafford Castle, Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 1DJ.

Most activities, stalls and things to see are free.

Event admission is free but there is a charge for parking if required. We strongly encourage walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing to get to the event! It is about a 30 minute walk from Stafford Railway Station, near the town centre, to Stafford Castle. The 5A bus can be caught outbound from Stafford Town Centre to Stafford Castle (Thorneyfields Lane/adj Thorneyfields Lane stops) on Sundays, throughout the duration of the event.

We have plenty of parking space at this event with an overflow parking option at King Edward VI High School. Please do not park on surrounding roads and verges nearby to Stafford Castle – this will be monitored during the event. Blue badge parking will be charged the same amount but there are allocated places for these vehicles, nearest to the event area.

Please be aware that pictures will be being taken at this event that may be used for our website or on our social media accounts.

Please bring cash if you are parking as this is essential to pay the parking charge.

Izaak Walton’s Cottage Opening Day

Izaak Walton’s Cottage re-opens for the summer season!

If you have never visited us let us tell you all the reasons why you should…

 

🐟 Steeped in History, find out more about Izaak Walton, the man behind “The Compleat Angler”

🌳 A place to relax, unwind with peaceful surroundings. Izaak championed taking time out from busy work routines

🍰 Take a well deserved pit stop, plan it into your walks or Sunday cycling and have some light refreshments

🚗 Free Parking on site, a picnic area and beautiful gardens

 

Open every Sunday from 5th May 2025 to 1st September 2025, 12pm to 5pm

Izaak Walton’s Cottage, Worston Lane, Stone, ST15 OPA

Book Trail

Over the Easter holidays, the rooms of the Ancient High House will be decorated to look like the scenes from popular story books. Come along during the Ancient High House’s opening hours, collect a trail workbook from the desk and then see if you can guess every book correctly!

Open during the Ancient High House’s opening hours, 10am to 4pm. Free admission.

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.

Pancake Race!

We will be competing in the annual Stafford Pancake Day race! Come and watch us compete against our rivals, including the Gatehouse Theatre. After coming in last place the last two years, hopefully we will do a little better this time around!

Come along and watch the race in the Market Square starting at 12.00!

Christmas Through the Ages

Our popular event returns as the Ancient High House is decorated for Christmas. Each room will be decorated accordingly for the era which it showcases, with our guides dressed in period clothing providing lots of information and showing you all about Christmas through the ages! Come along and discover how Christmas was celebrated during the different eras that this historic building has stood to witness. Our staff will be on hand to talk about the history of Christmas and their rooms!

There will be mince pies, mulled wine and sweets on sale so why not pop in for a refreshment! We will also have a small children’s craft activity.

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.

Father Christmas at the Ancient High House

THIS EVENT IS NOT YET FOR SALE

Book your slot for a visit to see Santa during Stafford Town Light Switch On day! Alongside seeing Santa in his beautifully decorated grotto, write a letter with a guaranteed reply following your visit. There will also be a Christmas Sweet Shop and a Christmas tree to hang your wishes on with elves to guide you all the way!

Please arrive 30 minutes before your slot so that you can write your letter to Santa.

Slots available from 10.30 to 3.20. Please ring the Ancient High House on 01785 619131 or visit us to pre-book.

All payments must me made upon booking. Please note: no refunds can be given for a cancellation within 7 days of the event.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please be aware that this event is held on the second floor 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.

Explorer Backpacks

Looking for something to do in the outdoors? Why not try one of our explorer backpacks at Stafford Castle!

Ask at the Visitor Centre to borrow one of our free activity backpacks containing lots of things to help you explore the castle grounds. You’ll even get your own puppet guide – one of our dragons – Norman or Bailey!

Please visit during Stafford Castle’s opening times:

Stafford Castle Visitor Centre and Keep Summer Hours (April through October): 11.00am to 4.00pm, Wednesday through Sunday

Stafford Castle Visitor Centre and Keep Winter Hours (November Through March): 11.00am to 4.00pm, Saturday and Sunday

Mouse Trail

Join us during our opening hours and see if you can find all of the High House mice!

Pick up a free mouse trail from the High House desk to see if you can answer all of the questions.

Available during the Ancient High House’s opening hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10.00am to 4.00pm

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.