The Ancient High House

The Ancient High House

The Ancient High House is one of the most impressive Tudor Houses in the country. It is the largest remaining timber framed town house in England. The house was constructed by the Dorrington family in 1595. It is believed that they came from Doxey woods.

Within the history of the high house it has had many owners.

In 1642 the house was occupied by the Sneyd Family which were one of Staffordshire's most important families. King Charles I and his nephew Rupert stayed there as guests en route to Shrewsbury at the start of the civil war.

After Stafford was taken over by the Parliamentarians, the Ancient High House became a prison for Royalist Officers.

In 1794 the Staffordshire Yeomanry Regiment Museum was founded.  As a local volunteer force the Yeomanry saw active service for over 200 years.

 In the 18^th Century Mr. Brooke Crutchley owned the house which was divided into two and shared with Mr Samuel Twigg.

Renovations to the ground floor in the 19^th century weakened the structure and continued to deteriorate and as a result Stafford Borough Council carried out an extensive restoration programme. At the rear of the building is a small herb garden.

In 1986 the house was opened as a museum which has a collection of period furniture and architectural features and now provides a fascinating look into the lives of the people who have lived there over the centuries.

Inside the high house is a Civil War Room where King Charles I and Prince Rupert stayed during their visit, the coat-of-arms of the Sneyd family can be seen in this room also. In the Stuart Bedroom a beautiful four poster bed and a variety of wallpaper dating between the 18^th and 19^th centuries can be seen.

Today, over 400 years since it was built, The Ancient High House is still a spectacular sight and historic place in Stafford. The Ancient High House is now an approved venue for small Weddings and Civil Ceremonies.

Arts and crafts exhibitions are also held here.

Events for 2009 are advertised as:

10th February - 21st February

Nostalgic Pastimes - Hollie Caley

Fine embroidery and textiles that take the form of 2D and 3D objects plus paintings and drawings.  Hand and machine stitch are combined with traditional painterly processes to create feminine and nostalgic images.

3rd March - 28th March

Gothic Forever: Hardman, Pugin and the Gothic Revival - History Exhibition

Early and spectacular designs from the studios of John Hardman Trading Co. Ltd. Founded in 1838 the company became leading artists in stained glass ecclesiastical ornament. Complementary exhibition at St. Chad’s church.

Supported by John Hardman Trading Co. Ltd.

7th April - 25th April

Stafford Photographic Society 

Member’s annual exhibition showing prints both in monochrome and colour with a broad spectrum of images from landscape to nature.

7th April - 22nd August

Tudor Stafford - History Exhibition

Art from Tudor times, on display in England’s largest Elizabethan timber framed town house.

Supported by Staffordshire Museum service, County Records Office and William Salt Library and local collections

28th April - 16th May

Stafford Art Group

The best work produced by members of Stafford Art Group in all media.

19th May - 13th June

Stafford College Community Art - Stafford College Students

A selection of Art produced by adult learners attending Stafford College Community classes based in Stone, Great Bridgeford and Stafford.  All the classes are taught by Vanessa Timmis B.A. (Hons).  The exhibition is mostly watercolour landscapes.   Some of Vanessa's own work will be on display.

16th June - 27th June

Earth Colours - Clare Lord

Working on canvas and on rock Clare explores the relationship between colour, form and space.  Rocks and leaves positioned with perfect harmony by the action of the elements, are the subject of this exploration.

30 June - 18th July

Brandy Snaps - Mary Brandy

Places and moments that delighted the eye of local photographer Mary Brandy.

21st July - 8th August

Mythic - Jane Adams, Julian Adams and Stuart Hill

Armour, artefacts, paintings and drawings linked by myth, magic and a touch of mischief.

11th August - 22nd August

Flora through the Year - Emma Pearsall

Photographs of Flowers, trees and landscapes through the year.  The exhibition will include a range of images showing flora of all varieties in isolation and within their growing habitat.

25th August - 5th September

Aviation Art and Models - Tony Smith

Tony's love of aircraft is the inspiration for this aviation themed exhibition of paintings and aircraft models.

1st September - 23rd December

Stafford at War - History Exhibition

A detailed look at Stafford during 1939 - 1945, marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.  Highlighting the work of local people on the home front and within the armed services.

Supported by Staffordshire Museum Service, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.

8th September - 19th September

Whiskers on Kittens

A few of my favourite Things - Derek Tamea

A selection of Derek's favourite photographs taken over the last twenty years.  Come along and meet the photographer on the opening day, Tuesday 8th September, and on Tuesday 15th September.

22nd September - 3rd October

Art of Spirit - Ann Davies and the Spirit Art Society

Does our spirit survive our mortal body?  William Blake thought so.  An exhibition by a local group who draw and paint the spirit world.

6th October - 17th October

Dreams and Realities - Pedro Ojeda, Frank Correa, Margaret Collis-Sharpe and Ashaunicorn

Surreal paintings and drawings by a group of Spanish artists.

20th October - 31st October

Great Bridgeford Painting Group

Watercolours painted by Stafford College Learning in the Community course.  Paintings will be on various subjects with a variety of abilities and styles.

3rd November - 28th November

Made by Hand - Lyn Cooke, Julie Linn, Pam Pettit and Debbi Silcox

An exhibition created by a group of students from Staffordshire University, working in different media and styles offering a variety of abilities and styles. 

1st December - 24th December

A Picture for Everyone - David Walker

A wide selection of paintings and prints in various mediums.