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Home Educators Day – KS1 and KS2 Tour

A day exclusively for home educated children.

Spend the day with our guides exploring and learning the history of Stafford Castle’s 950 year old Norman motte and bailey castle. Discuss the Battle of Hastings and learn about knights, weapons and armour. The day will include coin minting, hands-on armour and weapons, role play and much more!

This tour will be held on Friday 25th September 2026, 11.00am to 3.00pm and is for KS2 and KS1.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more info and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at Stafford Castle this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

Richard III & Shakespeare Talk

Richard III has become Shakespeare’s ultimate villain. His audience is challenged to despise him even as we laugh along with his jokes. How did a medieval king become the accidental villain of the Bard’s masterpiece? Does the historical Richard bear any resemblance to Shakespeare’s monster? Or has he become the accidental villain in a very different story? Matt Lewis will endeavour to separate fact from fiction to offer a glimpse of the real King Richard III.

Matt Lewis is an author and historian. He has written several non-fiction biographies, including one about Richard III and another about his father, Richard, Duke of York. Matt works at History Hit, hosting the Echoes of History podcast, and co-hosting the Gone Medieval podcast, as well as presenting and contributing to documentaries.

This historical talk will be held on Saturday 9th May 2026 from 4.30pm to 5.30 pm with a Q&A session afterwards. Please arrive at 4pm. Visitors are more than welcome to stay after the talk and Q&A session to have a look around the Ancient High House whilst we are closed to the public and at a time the building is not normally open, until 6.30pm.

We will also have a small display of arms and armour replicas from the era to have a look at. Light refreshments are included in the booking price (tea and coffee). Books authored by Matt Lewis will be available to be purchased from the shop. Seats will not be allocated/numbered on time of booking.

Please be aware that this talk is held on the first floor of the Ancient High House in our ‘Civil War Room’. This is quite a tight space. 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 contact us if you have accessibility questions.

If you enjoy the topic of this talk, why not book on to see Shakespeare’s portrayal of Richard III at this years Gatehouse production! Follow the link below for more information on this:

RICHARD III

Workshop – Christmas Wreath

THIS EVENT IS NOT YET FOR SALE

Create your own bespoke wreath for Christmas!

All materials supplied to decorate your very own moss ring with fresh greenery, ribbon, dried fruit, baubles or whatever you fancy. Inspiration photos are provided and staff are on hand for advice. This is an ideal pre-Christmas social for adults only, with seasonal music.

Your booking price includes a glass of prosecco, orange juice or a hot drink, along with a mince pie.

Pre-booking is required. Please book online through this webpage.

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

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

Home Educators Day – KS3 Tour

A day exclusively for home educated children.

Spend the day with our guides exploring and learning the history of Stafford Castle’s 950 year old Norman motte and bailey castle. Discuss the Battle of Hastings and learn about knights, weapons and armour. The day will include coin minting, hands-on armour and weapons, role play and much more!

This tour will be held on Friday 18th September 2026, 11.00am to 3.00pm and is for KS3.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more info and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at Stafford Castle this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

Home Educators Day – KS1 and KS2 Tour

BOTH THE KS2 AND KS1 SLOTS ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED.

 

A day exclusively for home educated children.

Spend the day with our guides exploring and learning the history of Stafford Castle’s 950 year old Norman motte and bailey castle. Discuss the Battle of Hastings and learn about knights, weapons and armour. The day will include coin minting, hands-on armour and weapons, role play and much more!

This tour will be held on Thursday 17th September 2026, 11.00am to 3.00pm and is for KS1 and KS2.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more info and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at Stafford Castle this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

Home Educators Day – Early Years Tour Ages 4-5

A day exclusively for home educated children.

Spend the day with our guides exploring Stafford Castle’s 950 year old Norman motte and bailey castle whilst learning the story of Beowulf! Creep through the woodland and hunt for the legendary dragon eggs!

This tour will be held on Wednesday 6th May 2026, 11.00am to 3.00pm and is for ages 4 – 5.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more info and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at Stafford Castle this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

Home Educators Day – KS3 Tour

A day exclusively for home educated children.

Spend the day with our guides exploring and learning the history of Stafford Castle’s 950 year old Norman motte and bailey castle. Discuss the Battle of Hastings and learn about knights, weapons and armour. The day will include coin minting, hands-on armour and weapons, role play and much more!

This tour will be held on Thursday 30th April 2026, 11.00am to 3.00pm and is for KS3.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more info and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at Stafford Castle this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

Home Educators Day – Tudor Tour Ages 12-14

A day exclusively for home educators.

Spend the day with our guides exploring and learning the history of the 430 year-old Ancient High House. Discuss what Stafford was like in the Tudor period through learning about social history and the construction of the house whilst discussing The Wars of the Roses, .Stafford during the Tudor Period and the Age of Enlightenment. The day will include a wattle and daub activity, dress up and hands-on items.

This tour will be held on Monday 5th October 2026, 10.00am to 12.00pm and is for ages 12 – 14.

Please email info@historicstafford.co.uk for more information and to book.

This is one of several Home Educator Tours available at the Ancient High House this year – please check the ‘What’s On’ page of this website for other dates.

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.

Workshop – Blackwork Project, Session 2

Join our in-house seamstress at the Ancient High House for another delve into Blackwork embroidery. This time, across two workshops, you will use stitches and patterns, learnt in the introductory sessions, to create a design of your choice which upon completion can be framed in a black frame creating a bold piece of art for your home. This is suitable for those with experience wanting to refresh their memory or learn different stitches and would be perfect as a follow on to the ‘Introduction to Blackwork Workshops’ held in June and July. It is great for someone wanting to socialise as well as learn a variety of techniques. All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 19th September 2026

Saturday 17th October 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 – Blackwork Project, Session 1

Join our in-house seamstress at the Ancient High House for another delve into Blackwork embroidery. This time, across two workshops, you will use stitches and patterns, learnt in the introductory sessions, to create a design of your choice which upon completion can be framed in a black frame creating a bold piece of art for your home. This is suitable for those with experience wanting to refresh their memory or learn different stitches and would be perfect as a follow on to the ‘Introduction to Blackwork Workshops’ held in June and July. It is great for someone wanting to socialise as well as learn a variety of techniques. All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 19th September 2026

Saturday 17th October 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.