Stafford

More and more in the UK I am finding that there are places we pass through frequently by train but never look at which, if for one reason or another we do actually stop and look at, turn out to be actually very, very well worth seeing. Previous examples of this include Carlisle, Stoke, Wigan and Lancaster. Our latest find is Stafford.

My husband is from the West Midlands; I am from the west of Scotland, when we return to the UK we are up and down the West Coast Main Line by train continuously. We have passed through Stafford Station without the slightest interest repeatedly, but not too long ago due to engineering work we arrived in Stafford by rail replacement bus. This caused me to notice things such as the lovely park next to the station and thus the desire to plan a visit here was born. On our latest holiday with two days spare and no base, we decided to base ourselves in Penkridge, Stafford and use this as a base to explore Stafford itself.

In Penkridge we stayed in the Mercure Hotel which is located next to the station.

The Mercure Hotel

I was not expecting much from Penkridge, but it turned out to be quite an attractive little place with a wonderful church. The church in Penkridge is called The Church of St. Michael and All Angels. It dates from Anglo Saxon times. It is a beautiful building surrounded by a well kept graveyard.

Penkridge Church

Penkridge Church

Inside the church.

As well as visiting the church, we also went for drinks in a pleasant little pub nearby called the Littleton Arms and took a walk along the river to see the viaduct where the train line crosses the River Penk.

The Littleton Arms.

Train crossing the River Penk

Old house, Penkridge

After having a quick wander around Penkridge, we took the train into Stafford itself. Directly across from the station is one of Stafford's loveliest sights - Victoria Park. This beautiful flower filled park is located on the banks of the River Sow. There is a statue to Izaak Walton, author of 'The Compleat Angler' who was born in Stafford in 1593. There is also a war memorial, an aviary, two glass conservatories, a bowling green and a bowler statue and the wheels from an old water wheel.

Tulips so dark they look black.

Izaak Walton on the banks of the River Sow.

Statue of a bowls player next to the bowling green.

Colourful pond.

Conservatory in the park.

Waterwheels.

From Victoria Park it is just a short walk to the historic centre of Stafford. We started by walking up a street lined with lovely old Tudor style black and white buildings.

Lovely old buildings in Stafford town centre.

At the end of the street we reached the wonderful, historic Church of St Mary's which has stood in Stafford town centre since the thirteenth century. We did not look inside the church.

St Mary's Church.

On a little alley leading away from the church we could see the back of Stafford's most famous site; its ancient high house which is now its museum. The ancient high house is the largest timber framed town house in England. It was originally built in 1595. With our ever impeccable timing we arrived just as it was closing.

Stafford's ancient high house from the back.

Stafford's ancient high house from the front.

Stafford's historic centre is quite small and its other historic sights are mainly located on the Greengate Street, a short walk on either side from the ancient high house. These include Shire Hall which is now used as a gallery and St Chad's Church. St Chad's dates from the twelfth century and apparently has some lovely stone carvings such as the green man inside. We did not go inside on our visit.

Shire Hall Gallery.

St Chad's Church.