Based in Stafford is The Ancient High House, a stunning large timber-framed Tudor building and one of the towns famous landmarks.
Built around 1595 the Elizabethan town house is the biggest remaining timber-framed building in England. The house was originally commissioned for the wealthy Dorrington family and assembled with oak presumably from a nearby area called Doxey Wood.
In Elizabethan times, houses usually had a confined frontage just like The Ancient High House. Throughout Tudor towns, this style of cramped frontage was common as many houses were taxed on the size of them. Many owners instead created narrow and high frontages preventing an increased tax bill.
Steeped in fascinating history the house has had its fair share of drama throughout the decades. Many important visitors over the years have stayed at the Tudor building, including Charles I and Prince Rupert. The King had a short stay at the house in September 1643 when he was on route to Shrewsbury.
When Stafford was taken over by Parliamentarians it transformed into a prison. The English Civil War saw another important family living here, The Sneyd Family of Keele Hall, Newcastle-under-Lyme. This important family rented the house throughout the 17th century and part of the next century.
With all the charm and history of The Ancient High House, it has attracted attention over the years from programmes such as Most Haunted as well as features on historical documentaries on various channels.
After years of different uses, this amazing Elizabethan house is now a historic house museum on the upper floors. Open to the public the building includes different decades of original furnishings, displays throughout the rooms.
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