Eccleshall

Eccleshall is a small town in Staffordshire, England. It is located seven miles north west of Stafford, and six miles west of Stone.

Get in

The closest motorway is the M6 from Birmingham to Gretna in Scotland. The A519 goes directly through Eccleshall.

See

• 1 Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall. Holy Trinity Church dates from 1195. The tombs of five Bishops of Lichfield lie in the church, that of William Overton beside the altar being particularly notable. (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 Eccleshall Castle. Eccleshall Castle was the palace of the Bishop of Lichfield. The Domesday Book details that the Eccleshall estate had been given to the Bishop of Lichfield some time before the Norman Conquest, possibly as early as the 7th century. By the time Bishop John Lonsdale died in 1867 the lack of a railway was one of the main reasons that his successor Bishop Selwyn gave for the decision to sell the castle and thus sever the long association of Eccleshall with the Bishop of Lichfield. At the beginning of the last century the castle passed into the hands of the present owners, the Carter family (distant relations of former US President Jimmy Carter). The town was a relatively important market town by the time of the Wars of the Roses. In 1459, the castle was briefly a residence for the Queen, Margaret of Anjou, in her preparation for the Battle of Blore Heath, the site of which lies a few miles north of the town near Market Drayton. Later, the castle suffered damage during the English Civil War. (updated Nov 2016)
• Eccleshall High Street. Eccleshall High Street, with many Georgian and earlier buildings, is a conservation area. The town has been a regular winner in the Britain in Bloom competition and, in summer, the main parts of Eccleshall are bedecked with colourful floral baskets, organised by the town's civic group. (updated Nov 2016)
• 3 Mill Meece Pumping Station (is to the north of Eccleshall). restored (updated Nov 2016)

Do

• 1 Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre, Stone Rd, ST21 6JY. small wildlife sanctuary with about 30 species. Fletchers Garden Centre and Honeysuckle Tea Room are adjacent. (updated Dec 2020)

Buy

The high street has numerous shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses. A farmers market is held every month and the town holds its major festival every two years. The Eccleshall Show is held every Summer at Sugnall Parks.

Eat

• 1 The Old Smithy, Castle Street. mains £15-30. (updated Dec 2020)
• 2 London House Restaurant, 28 High St, ST21 6BZ. Indian restaurant (updated Dec 2020)

Drink

• 1 Royal Oak, 25 High St, ST21 6BW. Joule's brewery pub and restaurant. (updated Dec 2020)

Sleep

• 1 Eagle House Eccleshall, Eagle House, Cross Butts, ☏ +44 1785 848 649, info@eaglehouse-eccleshall.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A grade 2 listed residence that functions as a bed and breakfast or self-catering apartment. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Kings Arms Hotel, 17 Stafford Rd, ST21 6BL, ☏ +44 1785 850294. 

Go next

• 1 Stafford
• 2 Newport
• 3 Stoke-on-Trent
• 4 Market Drayton

Routes through Eccleshall

Manchester ← Stoke-on-Trent ←	N  S	→ Stafford → Birmingham
Shrewsbury ← Market Drayton ←	W  E	→ Stoke-on-Trent → merges with at Buxton