About
The Staffordshire County Museum is housed within the magnificent Shugborough Estate, the ancestral home of the Earls of Lichfield set in 900 acres of Staffordshire parkland. The museum occupies the stable block and working farm buildings of the estate, presenting the social and agricultural history of Staffordshire through an exceptional collection of objects, a living farm, and beautifully recreated period settings that span two centuries of county life.
Shugborough itself is one of the finest country estates in the English Midlands, and the county museum makes brilliant use of its extraordinary setting. The Georgian mansion, the park with its remarkable collection of neo-classical monuments, and the working farm together create an environment of rare quality and atmosphere for exploring Staffordshire's past. Visitors can explore not only the museum collections but also the wider estate, making this one of the most richly rewarding heritage destinations in the county.
The museum's collections cover an enormous range of material relating to Staffordshire life. Agricultural implements, craft tools, domestic objects, costume, photographs, and personal possessions build a detailed picture of the county's history from the Georgian era to the mid-twentieth century. Special attention is given to the rural working life of Staffordshire, with the working farm providing a living dimension to the story of agricultural change.
The Park Farm at Shugborough has been restored as a working Victorian farm, complete with rare breed animals, period farm machinery, and costumed staff who demonstrate traditional craft skills and farming methods. Visitors can watch bread being baked in the original kitchen, observe butter and cheese making, and see the range of craft skills that sustained a Victorian country estate. This living history approach makes the county museum one of the most engaging open-air museum experiences in the region.
The estate is jointly managed by the National Trust and Staffordshire County Council, ensuring both the conservation of the house and grounds and the continued development of the museum and educational programmes. Regular events, seasonal activities, and a full programme of special exhibitions keep the experience fresh and compelling for repeat visitors throughout the year.
Categories:
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Allow a full day to explore the estate — the mansion, farm, museum collections, parkland, and monuments together represent several hours of compelling content.
- National Trust members visit free and parking is also free — if you visit regularly, membership quickly pays for itself.
- The working farm demonstrations run at scheduled times throughout the day — check the programme board on arrival to plan your visit.
- The parkland walk to see the neo-classical monuments takes approximately 45 minutes and should not be missed — the Shepherd's Monument is particularly fascinating.
- Check the events calendar well in advance — seasonal events such as the Christmas programme and summer living history days are extremely popular and can sell out.
- The estate cafe is excellent and makes the most of local Staffordshire produce — it is worth timing your visit to include lunch.
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential as the estate is large and paths can be uneven, particularly around the farm.
- Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and farm courtyard — a great destination for a dog-friendly family day out.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The Staffordshire County Museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of material relating to Staffordshire's social and agricultural history. Agricultural tools, domestic objects, craft equipment, costume, ceramics, photographs, and documents together span two centuries of county life. The working farm adds a living dimension to the collections.
Staffordshire County Museum
The county museum within the stable block presents the social and agricultural history of Staffordshire through extensive collections of farm tools, domestic objects, craft equipment, and personal possessions.
Park Farm — Living Victorian Farm
A working Victorian farm with rare breed animals and costumed interpreters demonstrating traditional farm and domestic skills.
Lord Lichfield Photography Exhibition
A display celebrating the photographic legacy of Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield, one of Britain's most celebrated twentieth-century photographers.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.