15 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Staffordshire

The Apedale Heritage Centre was created at the site of Staffordshire's Apedale Mine and is run by volunteers. It is located just outside the village of Chesterton near Newcastle-under-Lyme in the Apedale Community Country Park. Attractions include mine tours and a museum which concentrates on the area's history, concentrating on industrial heritage. Opening times are 10:30 to 16:00 daily with the underground tours taking place at weekends and bank holidays.

Alton Castle is a Gothic-revival castle, on a hill above the Churnet Valley, in the village of Alton, Staffordshire, England. The site has been fortified since Saxon times, with the original castle dating from the 12th century. The current castle was constructed in the mid-19th century by John Talbot, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury, of nearby Alton Towers. Since 1967 the castle has been designated a Grade I listed building. It is also a scheduled ancient monument.

Cheddleton Flint Mill is a fine example of a water mill that ground flint for the pottery industry. The site features two water mills, a small museum, a period cottage, the canal and many other exhibits. The site is open to the public. There are actually two mills: one was purpose-built to grind flint for use in the pottery industry, and the other was converted to the same purpose from use as a corn-mill. The mill complex includes a miller's cottage, two flint kilns, a drying kiln and outbuil

Chillington Hall is an enchanting 18th century house, it is a product of two differing Georgian styles. It is the residence of the Giffard family. The Grade I listed house was designed by Francis Smith in 1724 and John Soane in 1785. The park and lake were landscaped by Capability Brown. There are a number of Grade II and Grade II* listed structures on the estate. The Grade II* listed dovecote and stable block were on the Buildings at Risk Register but were removed in 2009 following repair work.

This majestic 12th-century abbey was home to 70 Cistercian monks at its peak. Although converted into a farm after its suppression in 1538, the remains are impressive, including towering fragments of its 13th-century church, infirmary, and 14th-century abbot's lodging. The church took over seven decades to build and was finished in 1254. It is one of the main pilgrimage centres and also a tourist attraction too.

Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back is a dark ride at the Alton Towers theme park near the village of Alton in Staffordshire. It opened in 1992 as The Haunted House and was the largest dark ride in Europe, featuring large theatrical animations and scenes. The attraction was redesigned with interactive laser guns in 2003 and some scenes replaced, with several features removed over the years. There is a minimum height restriction of 1.1 metres for younger riders unless accompanied by an adult.

Hex The Legend Of The Towers is a walkthrough dark ride experience. The ride's story is based on the local legend of the Chained Oak Tree and is set within the restored ruins of the Towers themselves. The ride opened in March 2000. This attraction was closed for the duration of the 2016 season, but underwent repairs in the winter before reopening in 2017.

A commanding 18th Century building set amongst 180 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. Once the family home to the Earls of Dudley and host to royalty and high society. Its park and garden, which were extended in the 1770s by Lancelot "Capability" Brown, are Grade II listed with the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Today it is a glamorous setting for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions and other special occasions as well as Indulgent Afternoon Teas, prestigious

Moseley Old Hall is located in Fordhouses, north of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom. It is famous as one of the resting places of Charles II of England during his escape to France following defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. It is now a National Trust property. One of the iconic attraction in this area and also you can spend some good time in the middle of history.

The National Trust's Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, incorporates a Georgian mansion house and walled garden. The hall is situated on the edge of Cannock Chase, about 5.8 miles east of Stafford and 4.7 miles from Rugeley. The estate was owned by the Bishops of Lichfield until the Dissolution of the Monasteries You can explore sweeping parkland, ancient woodland and a landscape peppered with monuments. See seasonal blooms in the formal gardens, or produce in the walled garden.

Stafford Castle is considered one of the best surviving examples of Norman earthworks in the country. It was originally built by Robert de Toeni, (later known as Robert of Stafford), in the Norman period, Stafford Castle has dominated the local skyline for over 900 years.A programme of archaeological excavations has gradually revealed many of its secrets. Visitors can follow an informative trail of interpretation panels to discover the castle's history.

Tamworth Castle was built in the south-west corner of a Saxon fortified burh. It was raised shortly after the Norman Conquest, rebuilt in stone during the twelfth century and in 1423 it came into the hands of the Freville family who made it their main residence. The castle briefly saw action during the Civil War when a Parliamentary force dislodged the Royalist garrison.

The Ancient High House is one of the finest Tudor buildings in the country. Once dominating the skyline of Stafford, it is the largest remaining timber framed town house in England. The house was constructed in 1595 by the Dorrington family, from local oak, which anecdotally came from the nearby Doxey Wood, and is the largest timber framed town house in England.

Tutbury Castle is a largely ruined medieval castle at Tutbury, Staffordshire, England, in the ownership of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. People who have stayed in the castle include Eleanor of Aquitaine and Mary, Queen of Scots, who was a prisoner there. The castle ruins are open to the public and are a popular tourist destination, hosting many special exhibitions and features throughout the year.

Weston Park is a historic house and garden located on the Staffordshire and Shropshire border. The 40-hectare park has a wading pool, beach, miniature train, and cycle track. Other facilities include a playground with a climbing net and swings, picnic tables, electric barbeques, public toilets, an adventure playground, a miniature train, and a fixed orienteering course. It is now in the care of the trustees of the Weston Park Foundation. The house retains its art collection with over 30,000 ob