Thursday, December 04, 2014

Stafford Delights

Yesterday we spent some time in the town of Stafford.  As we had an hour or two to spare we decided to visit the Ancient High House Museum as we hadn't been inside for quite a while.

There are three floors up above the ground floor entrance and hallway.  At the very top is the museum of the Staffordshire Yeomanry Regiment and the other two floors are room settings.

You can see more from the photo above how high the house is.  The building was started towards the end of the 16th century and its owner a wealthy merchant of the town took possession of the property in 1595.


Inside staff were preparing for this coming weekend's Christmas activities and there was a wonderful aroma of oranges, lemons, cinnamon and cloves from the displays on the staircases.  From one of the landing windows we could see the church and decided as we'd never been inside before to go and have a look.

The church of St Mary is a beautiful building and the shadows across the grey stone were spectacular, but not half as spectacular as what we found inside.

As we entered we could hear Christmas music being played

 We'd happened upon a concert to celebrate the start of the annual Christmas Tree Festival.

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming with some people sitting to listen to the music, others wandering around looking at the displays and even more sitting in the refreshment area and enjoying themselves around the craft stalls.  Below are some of the photos I took in and around the church of all the wonderfully decorated trees.  The display runs until 7th December.
 










Hope you enjoyed them.

22 comments:

  1. It looks beautiful, shame it ends so soon. You do happen upon some lovely local places, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Amanda - it is a shame it couldn't have been on for a few more days but I expect the church wants to prepare itself for all its other Christmas activities:)

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    1. It was a wonderful display - my photos don't really capture the joyfulness of it all:)

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  3. Now why on earth have I never been to Stafford? The museum and the church both look delightful.

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    1. Stafford is quite an ordinary town really but it does have some interesting buildings there is another very old church nearly opposite the Ancient High House and also the castle of course:)

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  4. Very festive. Walking around the large and beautiful church with live music playing in the background must have added to the enjoyment of looking at the display of Christmas trees.

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    1. It did add a lot to the visit and we did sit awhile and listen to a few of the carols and musical pieces:)

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  5. Would love to attend a concert in one of England's grand churches. Your photos are wonderful

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    1. There is something very special about concerts in churches or cathedrals it seems to add to the magic of the live music:)

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  6. The church looks so beautiful, and even more so with all those fabulous trees, what a great way to start the Christmas season. The building that houses the museum looks fabulous, enough to see such a wonderful house without all the treasures inside making it even better!! xx

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    1. It was wonderful inside the church with the trees - it is such a beautiful church anyway - we left the town feeling quite festive after our visit to the church and museum:)

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  7. Don't the trees look great in the church - it seems to be the in thing at the moment. The Christmas season is really in full swing now.

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    1. Yes, we can enjoy the season now we are in December and the trees were extra special with the music - very festive:)

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  8. I bet the smell in church was lovely. That museum looks interesting. I'd love to visit that xx

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    1. The museum is well worth a visit, as is the church and castle. The church was warm and jolly inside and the museum had the most glorious spicy and citrus smell mixing with the beeswax polish:)

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  9. One place I've not been to yet is Stafford but having seen your post, I really must put it on the list for next year. What a treat at the church, we're hoping to go to Lichfield Cathedral on Wednesday to see the tree festival. Suzy x

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    1. I bet it will be wonderful in the Cathedral - hope you have a super time:)

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  10. Your tour has made me feel so Christmassy.

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  11. A lovely post Rosie. I am drawn to the butterfly tree. x

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    1. Thanks, Simone - it is a pretty tree done by the Stafford Knot Storytelling Club:)

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