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<img src='' title='Archives: What's On Events' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Archives: What's On Events

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Stafford History Day

Step back in time and explore Stafford’s rich heritage during the Stafford History Day event. As a part of this event, Historic Stafford will have multiple activities to take part in.

 

📍 Stafford Castle comes to town! – Market Square – 10.30am to 3.00pm

    • Arms and Armour Showcase and Handling
    • Brass Rubbing (Free)
    • Coin Minting (£1)
    • Dress up and try on chainmail and helmets

 

📍 Volunteers bring the Ancient High House to life! – 11.00am to 3.00pm

    • Our fantastic volunteer team will be situated across the house discussing some of their favourite items from the building.

 

📍 Conservation in Action in the Stuart Bedroom – Ancient High House – 11.00am to 3.00pm

    • One of our volunteers will be engaging in some conservation work on one of our many embrodiered fabrics. Pop in to have a look and learn a little about the process.

 

📍 Taster Stafford Heritage Trail – Meet opposite the Ancient High House – 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm

    • Join us on these shorter, free, taster versions of our popular Heritage Trails. Sign up opposite the Ancient High House with our guide Gillian – BOOKINGS WILL OPEN ON THE DAY ONLY and this will be a first come, first serve basis as spaces are limited on each tour. If the tour you want is booked up, we endeavour to place you on the next one.

 

📍 Alternating Short History Talks, Witch Marks and William Marson – Ancient High House
    • 10.30am – Witch Marks
    • 11.00am – William Marson
    • 11.30 – Witch Marks
    • 12.00 – William Marson

 

    • 1.30 – Witch Marks
    • 2.00 – William Marson
    • 2.30 – Witch Marks
    • 3.00 – William Marson

 

The Ancient High House, where many of the above activities are taking place, will be open 10am to 4pm, with free admission.

Please be aware that these events are not bookable, asides from the Taster Stafford Heritage trail for which bookings will only be open on the day, in person. Both this and the short talks will be first come, first serve and if you do miss out, please know that we run full Stafford Heritage Trails most months and talks are held throughout the year.

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 Week

This years events are subject to change. The below schedule is provisional:

With spooky entertainment across the whole week for all ages, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

The Ancient High House will be decorated for the whole week with a children’s spooky ‘Find the Ghosts’ trail, available to visit during our opening times in the day which will be free admission. Pop in any day from Tuesday through Saturday and have a go at finding all the ghosts.

On top of this, we have five evening events running Tuesday through Saturday:

TUES 27TH – HISTORICAL HALLOWEEN EVENING

WEDS 28TH – GHOST TOUR

THURS 29TH – TAROT READING IN THE HAUNTED HIGH HOUSE

FRI 30ST – HAUNTED HIGH HOUSE

SAT 31ST – GHOST TOUR

More information for each of these events can be found on our ‘What’s On’ page. Each event has its own webpage where you can learn more and online bookings are available for all of these with the exception of ‘Tarot Reading in the Haunted High House’. Links to some of these individual event pages can also be found below.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to pop in to the Ancient High House or ring us on 01785 619131 during our opening hours.

Please be aware that all of these events are 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 – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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