Having recently joined the National Trust, (thoroughly recommend) after always meaning to do it, we were raring to go! As we live within a few miles of Shugborough Hall it seemed sensible to make a visit there one of our first trips. As the title says it is a neo-classical Mansion designed by Samuel Wyatt and James Stuart and was owned by the Bishops of Lichfield, passing on to several owners, the last one before NT being William Anson. Three centuries later after the death of the 4th earl of Lichfield it was given over to the National Trust but run by Staffordshire County Council. Patrick Lord Lichfield continued to live there in what is now called the Lichfield Apartments until his death in 2005. The apartments are now open to the public, along with the hall itself, a museum, kitchen garden and farm. Not to forget the lovely grounds and walks surrounding the Mansion. Hubby and I started our visit at the entrance near the car park and were greeted very warmly by a volunteer who gave us a brief overview of what there was to see. As it was lunchtime we decided to start with lunch at the farm tea room, where we enjoyed cheese sandwiches and tea outside in the courtyard to enjoy the sunshine. We then walked 3/4 mile up to the Mansion and decided to sample the tearoom next door for pudding! Well why not? We had our delicious scones, jam and cream and more tea in the bright modern tearoom where they offer snacks, light lunches, teas, coffees etc, and set off to walk off some of the calories we’d just consumed. We had been given an estate walks map and decided to go for the shortest walk of 0.7 miles which is around the formal gardens, passing the Chinese house, the Doric temple and the cat’s monument. All quirky and interesting. The paths are good, level and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are more walks up to a couple of miles in length but all are flat and easy to access. We finished our visit at the National Trust shop which are always interesting with good quality gifts and books. The National Trust have pledged to continue to improve the Mansion and parkland and Shugborough Hall is well worth a visit, so much to see and do, we didn’t go into the house, we’re saving that treat for a rainy day. Give it a go.
“Shugborough Hall, A neo-classical Mansion house and gardens and TWO tea Rooms!,”:http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shugborough