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Some National Trust properties are all about the house. Others are all about the gardens. Shugborough Estate offers a little of everything, making it an excellent choice for families who enjoy exploring at their own pace.
We visited as a family with our 14-month-old daughter, Elanor, during a short break in Staffordshire, combining it with a visit to Boscobel House and an overnight stay at Hurst Stable in Wheaton Aston. Even without stepping inside the mansion, we comfortably spent between two and three hours here, including lunch, and left feeling we’d had a full day out.
As National Trust members, we found it represented excellent value, particularly given how much there is to explore beyond the house itself.
Arriving at Shugborough Estate
Parking was easy, although one approach to the estate follows a surprisingly long one-way road. It can feel as though you’ve taken a wrong turn, but keep going. You’re heading the right way.
There’s plenty to enjoy without visiting the mansion
We decided not to go inside the house on this visit and never felt as though we were missing out.
Instead, we wandered around the outside of the mansion before following the riverside paths. The walk along the River Sow is peaceful and ideal for families, with ducks to feed along the way. We also took time to visit the impressive arch, one of the estate’s best-known landmarks, before continuing our walk through the grounds.
It is the sort of place that rewards slowing down rather than rushing from one attraction to another.
A productive and peaceful walled garden
The walled garden was one of our favourite parts of the estate.
Rather than being purely ornamental, it feels like a working garden, with apple and other fruit trees growing alongside productive planting. There was even a pig enjoying the surroundings, which proved just as interesting to Elanor as the gardens themselves.
It is a lovely place to wander and offers something quite different from many formal historic gardens.
A brilliant farm area for younger children
The farm area is particularly well suited to families.
There are chickens to see, but the standout feature is an indoor play area tucked beside the chicken coop. Designed around imaginative play, it includes children’s ovens, kitchen utensils and plenty of opportunities for little ones to create their own games rather than simply climb and slide.
It is a thoughtful addition that kept children entertained while giving parents a chance to take a breather.
Lunch and facilities
We stopped for lunch at the café near the mansion. The food was the sort of reliable National Trust offering you’ll find at many of their larger properties, with plenty of seating available when we visited.
The facilities throughout the estate were excellent. Toilets and baby changing facilities were clean and easy to find, and we also enjoyed browsing the bookshop before heading home.
Is Shugborough suitable for toddlers?
Absolutely.
Although we brought a pram, much of the estate is flat enough for confident toddlers to explore on foot. Elanor spent plenty of time walking herself, with ducks, chickens, open spaces and gardens providing lots to keep her interested.
The combination of accessible paths, family facilities and varied things to discover makes Shugborough one of the more toddler-friendly National Trust properties we’ve visited.
Our verdict
Shugborough Estate isn’t defined by one headline attraction. Instead, it offers a collection of different experiences that combine to create a relaxed and enjoyable day out.
Whether you’re wandering beside the river, exploring the walled garden, visiting the farm or simply enjoying lunch with views across the estate, there is plenty to fill a few hours without ever stepping inside the mansion.
If you’re planning a Staffordshire break, we’d also recommend pairing Shugborough with nearby Boscobel House. The two properties complement each other well, offering very different experiences within easy reach, and Hurst Stable in Wheaton Aston made an excellent base for exploring the area.
