Shugborough Hall

Shugborough Hall is the ancestral seat of the Anson family near Stafford, in Staffordshire, central England. The house holds Grade I listed status, the highest level of protection in England. Its landscaped park is dotted with neoclassical monuments, and the estate is run by the National Trust together with Staffordshire County Council.

What is the history of Shugborough Hall?

The Ansons bought the estate in 1624 and kept it for roughly three centuries. The central block dates from about 1695 and was built for William Anson. What turned a modest brick house into a neoclassical mansion was the prize money brought home by Admiral George Anson from his voyage around the world. Wings were added in 1748, and in the 1790s Samuel Wyatt enlarged and remodelled the whole building.

After the 4th Earl of Lichfield died in 1960, the hall, park and contents passed to the National Trust in part payment of death duties. The Trust leased the property to Staffordshire County Council, and the house opened to visitors in 1966. The 5th Earl kept a private apartment there until his death in 2005.

What can you see in the park?

The grounds are known for structures inspired by ancient Greece. Among them are the Chinese House, the garden bridge and a triumphal arch designed by James Stuart, each of them Grade I listed.

The best-known landmark is the Shepherd's Monument. Thomas Anson, the admiral's brother, commissioned it, and the relief is the work of the sculptor Peter Scheemakers. A cryptic row of letters runs beneath the carving, and nobody has settled what it means. The puzzle draws code enthusiasts from far afield and is the main reason many people make the trip.

How do you plan a visit?

The estate includes the mansion rooms, the servants' quarters, the park, a cafe and a shop. Each area keeps its own hours, and these change with the season, so check the National Trust or estate website for current times before you set out.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Shugborough Hall? In Colwich, close to Stafford, in Staffordshire, England.

Who looks after the estate? The National Trust, which leases it to Staffordshire County Council.

What is the Shepherd's Monument? A sculpted monument in the park, commissioned by Thomas Anson, with a relief by Peter Scheemakers and an inscription that remains unsolved.

Is the hall a listed building? Yes, it is Grade I listed, as are the Chinese House, the garden bridge and the triumphal arch in the park.