Stafford Town Centre
At the centre of Stafford is the historic Market Square, surrounded by a mixture of familiar high-street names and independent businesses, with plenty of places to stop for a coffee, something to eat or a browse around the shops. The Market Square is also used throughout the year for events, markets and community activities. Stafford's monthly farmers' market takes place in the Market Square, adding another reason to visit the town centre.
One of the most interesting aspects of Stafford town centre is its architecture. Historic buildings sit alongside more modern shops and businesses, giving the centre a character that reflects Stafford's long history.
The Ancient High House
One of Stafford's most recognisable historic buildings is the Ancient High House on Greengate Street. This impressive timber-framed building dates from the Elizabethan period and is one of the town's best-known landmarks. It forms part of Stafford's historic core and is well worth looking out for when exploring the town centre.
Nearby, you'll also find St Chad's Church, St Mary's Church and other historic buildings which help tell the story of Stafford's development over the centuries.
Stafford Castle
Sitting prominently above the town on Newport Road, Stafford Castle is one of the area's most recognisable landmarks and a popular spot for dog walkers and sledgers!
The castle site has more than 900 years of history. A Norman fortress was established here around 1100, taking advantage of the site's elevated and strategic position. Today, the castle remains an important part of Stafford's skyline, with the surrounding grounds providing views across the local countryside. The castle site is particularly interesting for families, history enthusiasts and anyone wanting to understand more about Stafford's medieval past.
It is also a good example of how Stafford's geography has influenced its history. The elevated position provided an important defensive advantage and today provides visitors with impressive views across the surrounding area.
Victoria Park and the River Sow
If you want somewhere peaceful close to Stafford town centre, Victoria Park is one of the most popular places to visit.
Located alongside the River Sow, the park provides a manicured, green space within walking distance of the centre. It includes riverside paths, gardens, a bandstand, aviary, glasshouse, bowling green and children's play facilities. The park has also undergone a major restoration programme, helping to preserve many of its historic features.
For families, walkers or anyone wanting a quieter afternoon, Victoria Park is one of Stafford's most accessible green spaces. The park features a popular play area, skate park and a large sand pit. An ice cream is often parked up and in the summer, a free water feature is turned on for a fun way to cool off.
Exploring Stafford's Villages
One of the advantages of living in Stafford is that you're never far from the countryside. Beyond the town itself, Stafford Borough includes a number of villages and smaller communities, each with its own character. Places such as Eccleshall, Stone, Hixon, Gnosall, Milford, Weston, Derrington and Acton Trussell are all within the wider Stafford area.
Eccleshall, to the north-west of Stafford, is particularly well known for its attractive town centre, independent shops, cafés and surrounding countryside. Great Haywood and Milford provide easy access to the countryside around Shugborough and Cannock Chase, while villages to the south and east of Stafford offer a mixture of rural living and convenient access to the town.
For people considering moving to Stafford, these surrounding communities are worth exploring as well as the town itself. Two properties can be described as being "near Stafford" while offering completely different lifestyles depending on whether they're in the town centre, a modern housing development, a traditional village or a rural location.
Shugborough Estate
Just outside Stafford, near Great Haywood, is the impressive Shugborough Estate. The National Trust estate combines a historic Georgian mansion with extensive parkland, gardens, woodland and farmland. Visitors can explore the historic house and grounds while enjoying the surrounding countryside.
Shugborough is particularly appealing for a full family day out, with extensive outdoor areas to explore as well as its historic buildings and gardens. Its location also highlights one of Stafford's biggest advantages: you can be enjoying the shops, restaurants and facilities of a county town and, within a relatively short drive, find yourself surrounded by open countryside.
Stafford and Cannock Chase
To the south of Stafford lies Cannock Chase, an extensive area of countryside that is popular with walkers, cyclists and anyone looking to get outdoors. The wider Cannock Chase area offers woodland, heathland and walking and cycling routes, making it a popular destination for people from Stafford and the surrounding towns and villages.
For Stafford residents, the Chase provides an easy escape from the town and is one of the area's major recreational assets.
Stafford's Location
One of Stafford's biggest advantages is its central location. The town is well connected to the surrounding parts of Staffordshire and the wider Midlands, making it popular with people who want access to both countryside and larger towns and cities.
Stafford railway station provides connections towards Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and other destinations, while the road network provides easy access to the M6 and surrounding areas.
The A34 also runs through Stafford, providing an important north-south route through the town and connecting Stafford with areas including Stone and Birmingham. Other routes, including the A518, connect Stafford with surrounding towns and villages.
This central position is one reason Stafford is an attractive place to live. You can enjoy the quieter pace of a Staffordshire town while remaining within easy reach of larger employment, shopping and leisure destinations.
Places to Explore Around Stafford
If you're using Stafford as a base for exploring the area, there are plenty of places within easy reach. Here's a snapshot of some neighbouring areas:
- Stone – a historic market town north of Stafford, with the Trent and Mersey Canal running through the town. Monthly food markets are held on the high street & Westbridge Park is a hub for community events throughout the year.
- Eccleshall – a picturesque market town surrounded by Staffordshire countryside offering independent, artisan cafes, butchers & bakers.
- Great Haywood – close to Shugborough Estate and the waterways around the Staffordshire countryside. Essex Bridge is a great spot for a picnic, or a walk down the canal winding up at Canalside Farm Shop is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
- Cannock Chase – ideal for walking, cycling and enjoying the outdoors.
- Trentham – home to the famous Trentham Estate, gardens and a range of leisure attractions.
- Penkridge – a historic market town to the south of Stafford and home to arguably Staffordshires best bakery - Jaspers (worth a drive out!)
- Gnosall – a village surrounded by attractive countryside to the west of Stafford, offering picturesque canal walks & good old pub grub.
- Hixon and Weston – villages to the east and south-east of Stafford offering a more rural setting.
Stafford Borough itself encompasses a surprisingly varied landscape, from the busy town centre to quiet villages, farmland, woodland and open countryside. Staffordshire's official tourism information highlights Stafford, Stone and Eccleshall as key destinations within the borough.
Why Stafford Is a Popular Place to Live
For many people, the appeal of Stafford is the combination of convenience and countryside. You have a historic town centre with shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities and transport links, but you don't have to travel far to find parks, rivers, villages and open countryside.
The area also offers a wide variety of property types. Stafford includes established residential neighbourhoods, newer housing developments, traditional properties, larger family homes and properties in the surrounding villages and rural areas. That variety means Stafford can suit a wide range of people, from first-time buyers and young families to people looking for more space outside the town centre.
If you're moving to, from or within Stafford, understanding the local area can make a big difference to planning your move. Stafford's residential areas vary considerably, and properties around the town can have very different access arrangements. Some homes are located on newer developments with restricted parking, while others are on established residential streets, rural lanes or properties where access for a removal vehicle needs to be considered in advance.
The surrounding villages can also present different challenges, particularly where properties are located on narrower roads or in more rural locations.
At Waters Removals & Storage, we know Stafford and the surrounding area well. We regularly help customers moving within Stafford, moving into the area from elsewhere in Staffordshire and relocating further afield. Our local knowledge means we can help you plan the practical side of your move, from vehicle access and parking to the logistics of moving in and out of different types of properties.
Whether you're moving across Stafford, relocating from a nearby village or moving to Stafford from another part of the country, our team can help make the process as straightforward as possible. And when you're ready to move, Waters Removals & Storage provides professional house removals and storage services in Stafford and across Staffordshire.
