Ancient High House

The Ancient High House stands as a remarkable testament to Elizabethan craftsmanship and ambition, occupying a proud position on Greengate Street in the heart of Stafford. Built in 1595, it holds the distinguished title of the largest surviving timber-framed town house in England, a status that draws visitors from across the country and beyond who come to marvel at its extraordinary construction and immaculately preserved interiors.

The house was built by the Dorrington family, prosperous merchants who wished to display their wealth and status through the grandeur of their home. Its four storeys of close-set timber framing, ornate decorative work, and jettied upper floors create a dramatic streetscape that has changed little in more than four centuries. The building survived the Civil War, the industrial revolution, and the many changes that transformed the surrounding town, standing as an anchor of continuity in Stafford's evolving urban landscape.

Inside, the house tells the story of Stafford and Staffordshire through a series of beautifully recreated period rooms. Visitors can step through time as they explore rooms furnished in Elizabethan, Stuart, and later styles, each thoughtfully interpreted with objects, textiles, and information that brings the past vividly to life. The house served as a garrison for King Charles I and his troops during the Civil War, and this pivotal episode in English history is recalled through dedicated displays.

The museum also serves as home to the Museum of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, which traces the long history of this volunteer cavalry regiment from its formation in 1794 through its service in two world wars and beyond. Uniforms, weapons, medals, and personal objects combine with photographs and documents to create an absorbing account of military life and local service.

Regular events, craft demonstrations, and costumed interpretation bring the house alive throughout the year, making it one of the most engaging heritage attractions in the West Midlands. The Ancient High House offers a genuinely immersive encounter with England's Tudor past, housed in a building that is itself one of the finest survivals of that remarkable age.