The County Town

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 15:19

Stafford - a real mixed uptown!

A bus from Radford Bridge took us into Stafford - remembered for traffic jams and new retail parks. Things haven't changed! However this time we were to explore the town centre a bit.

The centre is now a pedestrian precinct with the usual shops in evidence. The indoor market and "new" shopping precinct complete the shopping experience. However amongst this urban sameness there are one or two gems. Here are a few - there are more if you have time to explore and follow the Town Trail.

The Ancient High House is the largest timber framed Tudor town house left standing in England. It is now a museum and despite the shops around and attached inside, it is a wonder to behold.

Panoramic view of the House

Built around 1595, it has seen visitors come and go over the years. Stretching from the Elizabethan age to the Victorian age it has rooms and exhibitions that evoke the various periods.

There are room settings such as the Tudor Bedroom,  Civil War Room, Victorian Room, an Edwardian grocer's shop and the history of the owners and building of the house.  The Staffordshire Yeomanry Regiment has the whole attic floor to itself!

The house played host to Charles 1st and his brother Rupert at the start of the Civil War. Interestingly, or maybe ironically, it also has the original document authorising Charles' beheading in 1649.

Opposite the Ancient High House is The Bear Grill

There has been a "Bear Inn" on this street since Medieval times and it once was a Coaching Inn.

Behind the Ancient High House is the Collegiate Church of St Mary

The church has a long history and was built on on the site of a wooden church built in the 10th century. Various re-buildings in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries have resulted in the present church. It was extensiively restored by Gilbert Scott (the Grandfather of Giles Gilbert Scott of Liverpool Cathedral).

Finally - for us, as we shopped a bit too - Stafford's Shire Hall which is now an art gallery and craft shop. It was built in 1798 and was used as the Assize court and quarter sessions.

Shire Hall

Shire Hall stands in the Market Square where the outdoor markets are held. It is possible to view the Victorian Court Room and the holding cells, but we refrained as time was up for us in this market town.