Tour highlights:
Stay at the atmospheric Upper House Hotel Barlaston
Arts & Crafts masterpiece, Wightwick Manor
Privately owned Chillington Hall and Sandon Hall
Shugborough Hall, a Staffordshire paradise
Two talks from country house and antiques expert, Nicholas Merchant
This tour takes in some of the country houses of one of England’s industrial powerhouse regions, Staffordshire. A wealth of styles from Arts & Crafts to classical and small to lavish offer a tempting selection of artistic, architectural design treats to be explored in the genial, witty and knowledgeable company of popular Travel Editions tour leader and lecturer, Nicholas Merchant, who will educate and entertain in equal measure.
Available Departures |
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| 11 - October - 2026 | £ 1099.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the hotel from 15.00. The hotel is located close to the wonderful World of Wedgwood Museum which we highly recommend a visit too independently (not included in the tour). This evening there will be a welcome drink, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Nicholas Merchant: ‘Country Houses of Staffordshire’.
Day 2: Wightwick Manor and Chillington Hall
Two wonderful but contrasting styles of architecture and design today, as we head first to Wightwick Manor, one of the most famous Arts & Crafts houses in the country, built for the Manders paint family and filled with their Pre-Raphaelite paintings and William Morris designs. After lunch (included) we continue onto Chillington Hall, the little-known house of the Giffard family, principally attributable to one of England's greatest architects, Sir John Soane, builder of the original Bank of England in Threadneedle Street. Second talk from Nicholas, 'The Lunar Society' and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Boscobel House and the Royal Oak and Sandon Hall
This morning takes us to Boscobel House and its famous The Royal Oak where we will have the chance to discover one of the most dramatic escape stories in English History. We will explore the picturesque timber-framed hunting lodge where King Charles II took refuge in 1651 after fleeing for his life following Civil War defeat. After time for lunch (not included) we head to Sandon Hall for a guided tour of the house and free time within the stunning gardens followed by some refreshments. Sandon has been the ancestral home of the Earls of Harrowby since 1776 when Nathaniel, 1st Baron Harrowby, bought a shooting lodge and had it transformed by the architect Samuel Wyatt into a Georgian House. However, the house was badly damaged by fire in 1848 that it had to be rebuilt and became the neo-Jacobean style house you see today. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Shugborough Hall and Spode Museum
This morning takes us to Shugborough Hall, a National Trust House and formerly the seat of the Anson family. One of the biggest estates in the area with a mansion house, model farm, and servants’ quarters, with a fine collection of furniture, it was also home to Patrick Lichfield, the famous society photographer. After time for lunch (not included) we head to the Spode Museum, one of the most famous names in the realms of ceramic manufacture. As part of our visit, we will have an introductory talk about the history of Spode and the importance of the museum collection including how it was saved before a visit to the museum including a special visit to the ‘Blue Room Collection’ which comprises hundreds of blue transfer-printed pieces made between 1790-1847. The collection is almost certainly the largest and most important collection of Blue and White on public display in the UK. We will have a demonstration of under-glaze transfer printing and some time to explore the displays of fine bone china and Spode Ceramics. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Upper House Hotel, Barlaston
The Upper House Hotel is steeped in local history, built in 1845 for Josiah Wedgwood’s grandson, Francis, the hotel has been lovingly converted into a luxury character property. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, lounge and gardens. Each of the comfortable bedrooms include en-suite facilities, TV, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and free wi-fi.
Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
Nicholas Merchant
Nicholas has been a lecturer and group leader for tours in the UK and France for Travel Editions for close to 15 years. Prior to Travel Editions, he ran his own book business, worked for Sotheby’s and was the West Yorkshire representative for the National Art Fund. His knowledge, wit and erudition illuminate any visit and his tours are informative, interesting and, above all, entertaining.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-October-2021
Considering the recent problems the holiday was a great success and very enjoyable. The last minute changes the tour company made to the visits were excellent particularly Sandon. The hotel had been shut for seven months and were busy retraining new staff, where available, and we were very comfortable.
Review by Bramhill who travelled 17-October-2021
Excellent programme of interesting visits. Sandon and Spode Museum particularly good. Self service curled sandwich Lunch at Spode very poor. Only downside was inexperienced food service at the hotel. Breakfast there poor by 4 star standards. No fresh fruit or yoghurt. Nice hotel otherwise.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-October-2021
I would have given the hotel a "good" if the service at dinner had been better. A shortage of staff rather than indifference it must be noted ! Nicholas was his usual ebullient . knowledgeable and thoughtful self. However,all in all a great tour - interesting and varied
Review by Partington who travelled 17-October-2021
This is my second holiday with Nicholas Merchant and he is outstanding. The hotel was rather strange but I loved it - it has its eccentricities especially with the delay in providing dinner. The hotel needs to have a much smaller menu and to change it each evening
Review by Langdon who travelled 17-October-2021
An excellent very well organised break Nicholas as usual was was well organised with very interesting talks The hotel rooms were excellent However the delays in the dining room serving clients and the chaos at breakfast with certain foods on the menu not available eg yogarts fresh fruit and marmalade not acceptable
Review by Young who travelled 17-October-2021
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