Lichfield: Cathedral, History and Unique City Experiences

Lichfield offers an unusual combination of significant religious heritage, historic figures, waterways and a wide range of activities. Lichfield Cathedral is home to the eighth-century sculpture known as the “Lichfield Angel”. The “St Chad Gospels” are another treasure from the Anglo-Saxon period. The shrine of St Chad has also shaped the history of the city: it developed into one of the three most important medieval pilgrimage centres in the country.

Experience Culture and History Consciously

Those interested in literary and scientific history will find two special points of interest in Lichfield. The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is the former family home of the writer Samuel Johnson. Erasmus Darwin House is an independent, accredited museum in Lichfield’s Cathedral Close and was once the family home of Erasmus Darwin. Younger visitors can enjoy the free Herb Garden Explorer Trail, which focuses on insects.

The city’s architectural history can also be discovered in a variety of places. The present building of St Mary’s Church was completed in 1870 and constructed from sandstone from Derbyshire. The Hub at St Mary’s includes a flexible 140-seat space for performances, art exhibitions and workshops. This allows you to combine historic architecture with cultural events and creative activities during your trip, without limiting yourself to a single attraction.

Water, Gardens and Outdoor Activities

Stowe Pool is a 14-acre body of water where sailing takes place during the summer months. The Minster Pool Walk offers a different perspective on the water landscape. From there, you can enjoy beautiful views across the pool towards the Remembrance Gardens and in the direction of Lichfield Cathedral. Speakers’ Corner Lichfield is also located in the Dam Street area along the Minster Pool Walk. The venue opened in 2009 and has since been a place for lively debates, celebrations and performances.

For more active days, Beacon Park offers a wide range of options. The park covers more than 70 acres of gardens and open spaces within easy reach of Lichfield city centre. Facilities and activities include walking routes, golf, a children’s play area, crazy golf, tennis, basketball, bowls, disc golf and footgolf. Families can therefore choose between peaceful time in the open air and a variety of sporting activities, depending on their plans for the day.

Historic Sites with Different Character

The area around the Friary Remains was home to a thriving monastery from 1237 to 1538. The largely hidden remains of the friary are protected as a Scheduled Monument. Today, the Friary Remains are a public garden owned and managed by Lichfield City Council. The site therefore offers a historical discovery that also takes place within a public green space.

Another example of Lichfield’s industrial history is Sandfields Pumping Station, a Grade II* listed complex dating from the nineteenth century. The Engine House at Sandfields Pumping Station is recorded in the National Heritage List for England. Sandfields Pumping Station is usually open on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00; during these times, volunteers may be able to offer tours to small groups of visitors. If you plan to visit this site, you should take the stated opening times into account when organising your day.

Discover the City’s History Interactively

Lichfield Time Travellers is a smartphone-based walk through the city’s streets that introduces historic figures. At a dozen locations, Time Portals can be opened by scanning the surroundings with a smartphone. This creates a playful way to explore the city’s history together. When choosing holiday accommodation in Lichfield, it may therefore be helpful to first decide on your preferred mix of activities: should the trip focus mainly on the cathedral and museums, historic sites, parks, water or active pursuits? This makes it possible to assess the most suitable location for your accommodation based on your daily interests, without reducing the city to just one main attraction.

Discover More Places

You can find additional location pages here: Whitmore, Stone, Penkridge, Oakamoor, Stafford, Burton-upon-Trent, Trentham and Loggerheads.

For the higher-level travel overview: Staffordshire.