Workshop – Introduction to Blackwork, Session 2

This workshop is a brilliant introduction into Blackwork embroidery for beginners. Across two workshops, you will be taught the basic stitches and aims when working in this medium. 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.

All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 27th June 2026

Saturday 18th July 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 – Introduction to Blackwork, Session 1

This workshop is a brilliant introduction into Blackwork embroidery for beginners. Across two workshops, you will be taught the basic stitches and aims when working in this medium. 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.

All materials, professional guidance and refreshments will be provided.

The two dates for this workshop are:

Saturday 27th June 2026

Saturday 18th July 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.

Stafford Heritage Trail

Take a gentle stroll around Stafford with our knowledgeable guide to see the town in a new light. Learn about the secrets of the buildings and hear about colourful characters from the past.

The tour will last for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Meet outside the Ancient High House at 10.30am.

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.

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 Christmas or Winter themed. 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.

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