Workshop – Autumn Wreath

At our Autumn Wreath Workshop at Stafford Castle, you will weave your own beautiful willow garland by making a simple hoop and then choose from our collection of gorgeous dried flowers and grasses, ribbon and hessian to decorate it. This workshop is suitable for beginners and is a perfect introduction to willow weaving; you will have expert guidance on hand to help and there will be examples and designs to follow if you desire.

This workshop is incredibly relaxing and mindful, so why not come along and get in the autumn spirit in the most peaceful way!

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

Please book your space soon as spaces are limited.

Adults only.

Book your place by calling on 01785 619131 or visit us at the Ancient High House. Pre-booking is essential due to limited spaces.

Workshop – Festive Embroidery

Choose from a wide variety of threads, colours and designs to create a festive design of your choice; this could be something autumnal themed or why not get ready for Christmas early! Our resident seamstress will be on hand to help you learn some basic hand sewing techniques whilst making your items, including attaching a button and making a buttonhole, sewing a popper and more. Guidance and refreshments will be provided.

There are three dates to choose from as shown below. Each is a separate and individual workshop:

Saturday 24th October

Saturday 28th November

Saturday 12th December

Feel free to book onto multiple of these workshops if you would like to continue working on your design, or start another!

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

Please book your space soon as spaces are limited.

Adults only.

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 be aware that this workshop is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House, up a flight of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail to get to the first floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor too, a few feet from the Workshop room. As for the mens toilets, these are up another flight of 17 steps, on the second floor. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.

Workshop – Children’s Make a Mini Viking Longboat

As part of our Viking Re-Enactment event, younger audiences can come along to the Visitor Centre and design their very own wooden mini Viking Longboat!

This workshop is a part of our Viking Re-Enactment event. Come along, watch the battles, learn about the Viking way and head in to the Visitor Centre to do a children’s workshop where you will design and make your own wooden Viking Longboat to take home! Use your knowledge of runes and Viking design to create a personal piece of art and march around the event showcasing your new piece of weaponry!

This workshop is held in the Visitor Centre which is fully wheelchair accessible with no stairs into the building and wide doorways.

 

Viking Re-Enactment event information:

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 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.

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.

Workshop – Afternoon Tea and Napkin Embroidery

This workshop situated in the tranquil surroundings of Izaak Walton’s Cottage will involve embroidering a motif on to a napkin. There is a choice of three designs and will also include a napkin folding tutorial. The workshop will be followed by an afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks.

 

It is recommended you have attended at least one of the beginners or adult embroidery workshops or have some past embroidery experience before booking on to this session.

All materials are provided and you will receive guidance from our in-house professional seamstress.

 

Please book your space soon as spaces are very limited.

All payments must me made upon booking. Please note: no refunds can be given for a cancellation within 7 days of the workshop, but materials/kit can be arranged to be collected.

Adults only.

Book your place by calling on 01785 619131 or visit us at the Ancient High House. Pre-booking is essential due to limited spaces.

Workshop – Embroidery for Beginners, Session 1

A great introduction into embroidery with our resident seamstress at the Ancient High House. Across two workshops, you will learn a variety of basic embroidery stitches on to an Aida bookmark to create a unique and useful stitch sampler. This is suitable for beginners, with no or little experience, or those with experience wanting to refresh their memory or learn different stitches. It is great for someone wanting to socialise as well as learn a variety of techniques.

There is also the opportunity for previous workshop attendees to add to their bookmark stitch samplers. All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 25th April 2026

Saturday 16th May 2026

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

Please book your space soon as spaces are limited.

Adults only.

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 be aware that this workshop is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House, up a flight of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail to get to the first floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor too, a few feet from the Workshop room. As for the mens toilets, these are up another flight of 17 steps, on the second floor. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.

Workshop – Embroidery for Beginners, Session 2

A great introduction into embroidery with our resident seamstress at the Ancient High House. Across two workshops, you will learn a variety of basic embroidery stitches on to an Aida bookmark to create a unique and useful stitch sampler. This is suitable for beginners, with no or little experience, or those with experience wanting to refresh their memory or learn different stitches. It is great for someone wanting to socialise as well as learn a variety of techniques.

There is also the opportunity for previous workshop attendees to add to their bookmark stitch samplers. All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 25th April 2026

Saturday 16th May 2026

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

Please book your space soon as spaces are limited.

Adults only.

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 be aware that this workshop is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House, up a flight of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail to get to the first floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor too, a few feet from the Workshop room. As for the mens toilets, these are up another flight of 17 steps, on the second floor. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.

Workshop – Easter Craft and Trail

Come along to our Easter Craft and Trail this Easter weekend and see some of the trees and flowers starting to blossom.

All Children welcome! Come along and drop in to our Stafford Castle Workshop to make a fun Easter themed craft. Included is a woodland trail and quiz giving you a chance to win prizes!

Drop in anytime between 11.00am and 3.15pm, no booking required.

Workshop – Festive Knitting

Never have cold coffee again! Under the guidance of our knitting expert you will learn the skills necessary to create a cute, festive mug cosy and coaster. Ideal as a hand crafted Christmas gift or keep it for yourself!

£30 pp includes pattern, yarn, knitting needles, cloth workbag and refreshments. This workshop is ideal for beginners or intermediates as full instruction will be given.

Choose from Reindeer or Snowflake design. (This must be specified at time of booking and cannot be changed later).

All payments must be made upon booking. Please note: no refunds can be given for a cancellation within 7 days of the workshop, but materials can be collected by arrangement.

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 be aware that this workshop is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House, up a flight of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail to get to the first floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor too, a few feet from the Workshop room. As for the mens toilets, these are up another flight of 17 steps, on the second floor. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.

Workshop – Craft, Catch-up and Coffee

Enjoy a relaxed social space with our new catch-up sessions for crafts, chatting and enjoying hot drinks. Bring along any unfinished embroidery or knitting projects that you are working on, or bring something new that you would like to start. Guidance and refreshments will be provided; however, attendees will need to bring their own materials and equipment (no electrical items, hand crafts only please).

Please book your space soon as spaces are limited.

Please note: no refunds can be given for a cancellation within 7 days of the workshop.

Adults only.

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 be aware that this workshop is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House, up a flight of stairs. There are steps to enter into the building and then 17 more wide steps with a handrail to get to the first floor. For toilets, the womens is on the first floor too, a few feet from the Workshop room. As for the mens toilets, these are up another flight of 17 steps, on the second floor. Historic Stafford staff are always present to assist you if required.

Workshop – Halloween Craft and Trail

This fun Children’s Halloween Craft Workshop at Stafford Castle is the perfect treat to get ready for Halloween. Come along to get spooky and create your very own Halloween craft to take home. Why not also follow our spooky trail around the Castle site!

No pre-booking required. Drop in any time between 11.00am and 3.15pm.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This workshop is held in the Visitor Centre which is fully wheelchair accessible with no stairs into the building and wide doorways. But please be aware that the trail part of this workshop will go around the Stafford Castle site which includes the woodland path that forms a loop around the base of the site. This can be accessed without steps but can be muddy and a bit bumpy in places.

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.

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