National Trust Shugborough Estate
ENTRY
from £6
WHERE
Stafford
What it’s like
A working farm with Longhorn cows and Dorking chickens, a grand mansion, and acres of parkland to wander at Shugborough Estate.
Park Farm is where the day tends to go first: Longhorn cows, Southdown sheep and Dorking chickens to spot, with seasonal story trails weaving through the Walled Garden and farmyard for the younger ones to follow. There's sweeping parkland and ancient woodland beyond that if anyone needs space to wander, and family trails set up for nature spotting along the way.
The mansion itself opens 11 to 4 and is worth the extra time if you've got older children curious about how the other half lived, but it's the outdoor bits that will likely stick in a five-year-old's memory rather than the furniture. Full admission runs £18 for an adult and £9 for a child, with a family ticket at £45, though if you only fancy the grounds and gardens there's a cheaper Park and Gardens ticket at £12 adult and £6 child. Under 5s go free either way, which takes some of the sting out.
Food-wise you've got the Park Farm Café for snacks and lighter bites, or the Mansion Tea-room if you fancy sitting down properly for lunch or a cream tea. Buggies get a helping hand from a buggy service running from the car park, and there's a stair climber for the mansion entrance if wheels are more your thing than steps, plus trampers you can book ahead. Dogs are welcome on the lead around the grounds, though not loose with the livestock.
Turning up by train, bus or bike gets you a free hot drink if you've got your ticket or helmet on you, a small but nice touch if you're skipping the car. Parking is at the main car park only, so that's your one option rather than a choice.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Main car park only
- Food
- Two food outlets: Park Farm Café serving snacks and light bites, and Mansion Tea-room serving sit-down lunches and cream teas
- Wheelchairs
- Available first come first served
- Dogs
- Allowed on lead only. Assistance dogs welcome in all buildings
- Getting there by bus or train
- Free hot drink when arriving by train, bus or bike with valid ticket or bike helmet
- Worth knowing
- Under 5s go free
- Under 5s go free on any ticket type
- The Park and Gardens ticket is a cheaper option if you're skipping the house
- Arriving by train, bus or bike gets you a free hot drink
- Dogs need to stay on the lead around the farm animals
- There's a changing places facility as well as standard baby change
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£18 for an adult and £9 for a child for full admission, with a family ticket at £45. Just the park and gardens is cheaper, £12 adult and £6 child.
Is it free for young children?
Under 5s go free.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you can just turn up on the day.
What is there for kids to do?
Park Farm has Longhorn cows, Southdown sheep and Dorking chickens to see, plus seasonal story trails in the Walled Garden and farmyard. There are also family trails through the parkland and woodland.
What time does the house open?
The house runs 11am to 4pm. The garden and parkland stay open longer, 9am to 5pm.
Where can we eat?
Park Farm Café does snacks and light bites, and the Mansion Tea-room does sit-down lunches and cream teas.
Is there parking?
Yes, there's a main car park on site, though it's the only parking option.
Can we bring a buggy or wheelchair?
There's a buggy service running from the car park, plus wheelchairs available first come first served and a stair climber for the mansion entrance. Trampers can be pre-booked.
Are dogs allowed?
On the lead. Assistance dogs are welcome in all the buildings.
Is there a discount for using public transport?
You get a free hot drink if you arrive by train, bus or bike and show your ticket or bike helmet.
Is the estate accessible for wheelchair users?
There are accessible toilets, wheelchair access, a stair climber for the mansion and pre-bookable trampers for getting around the grounds.
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