History for the Holidays at Staffordshire History Centre
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
The new £8.7 million Staffordshire History Centre based in Stafford has a brilliant line‑up of activities for families, running every Wednesday and Thursday right through to the end of August, many are free or low cost.
One of the big highlights is the free Vicious Victorians Family Fun Day on Wednesday 13 August. You and your children can discover what life was like in the 1800s, try out puzzles and even win prizes.
If your children love to dress up and get involved, don’t miss the Beneath Our Feet family show. It’s an interactive adventure through the museum’s exhibition, with tickets at just £2.50 per child.
Opening times:
Staffordshire History Centre: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4 pm
Research Room: Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm 3rd Saturday of the month 10am - 2pm
Finding the Centre
The main entrance is via the archway on Eastgate Street in Stafford. There is an additional entrance via gates on North Walls. The two entry points are connected via a pedestrian walkway.
Address: Staffordshire History Centre, Eastgate Street, Stafford ST16 2LZ or you can locate the archway entrance using what three words or find it on google maps as Staffordshire History Centre.
The centre is a ten minute walk from Stafford Railway Station. The most direct route is to walk alongside the edge of the park towards the crown courts and Stafford college. At the war memorial go straight ahead and follow St. Marys Place to Greengate street and and then into Martin Street; when you exit Martin Street the centre will be across the road on your right. You can also walk via Victoria Park crossing the white bridge and exiting the park onto Mill Bank. From South Walls turn left into Cope Street and the centre will be ahead to your left.
The centre is free to visit, charges may apply to specific activities, please check the activity listing for details.
Visitor facilities
Visitor toilets including an accessible toilet and baby change table
Visitor lockers
A self service drinks machine (card payments only)
A small gift shop (cash and card)
Audio guides
Accessibility
The history centre is on one level with step free access throughout. The main gallery is brightly lit and spacious with smooth flooring; the space is open plan and sound can echo. A gentle ramp slopes down to the heritage part of our building which is darker with tiled and wooden floors. There is visitor seating both inside and outside.
They are working to create a social story, sensory map and access box; in the mean time you may wish to bring your own sunglasses and ear defenders.
There is an accessible toilet, the closest changing places toilet is located in Staffordshire Place One which is approximately 150m away. They currently offer an audio descriptive tour of our main display, large print labels and printed transcriptions of our audio content. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
They are looking to continually review our work around access and are keen to hear feedback from visitors with lived experience.
For families
There is seasonal family trails and interactive games and puzzles in the main exhibition. You can find picture books and a dressing up station in the William Salt Library. The centre will be growing their family resources over the coming months with help from their family focus group.
Now available: free sensory backpacks to help young visitors explore the displays!
History for the Holidays at Staffordshire History Centre
