The haven of a romantic industrialist, Wightwick's timber beams and barley twist chimneys, rich William Morris furnishings and Pre-Raphaelite paintings make it an idyllic time capsule of Victorian nostalgia for medieval England.
The Claymills Pumping Engines Trust was incorporated in 1993 as a non-profit-making body to promote and preserve for the benefit of the public the nineteenth century Claymills Pumping Station complex including all buildings, engines and equipment situate at Meadow Lane, Stretton, Burton on Trent.
Chillington Hall has been the home of the Giffard family for over 800 years and is located on the Staffordshire / Shropshire border. The Hall & Estate, steeped in History offers it's visitors a grand & imposing setting for historical tours, private celebrations,civil ceremonies, public open days, filming locations & corporate entertainments.
History of the hall and estate Little evidence remains of the house or the village of Chillington as described in the Domesday book, but it is probable that the Norman dwelling – most likely in the form of a fortified manor – was not the first on the site. The medieval manor was replaced in Tudor times by a building of some significance as testified by the fact that the Great Hall of that house is now encased in the shell of John Soane's Saloon in the present house. However prior to Soane's arrival, changing taste and the fact that the building suffered damage by parliamentary forces during the civil war necessitated additions to the Tudor building. In 1723 a contract was drawn up between Peter Giffard and William Smith, brother of Francis Smith of Warwick. William died the following year, so it is more than likely that his brother undertook the building of the south side of the house as seen today. Peter's son Thomas undertook the landscaping of the park in the 1760's. He then commissioned Robert Adam to draw up designs for an entirely new house for the site but though the drawings exist still in the archives of the Sir John Soane's Museum in London, they were never executed, probably due to Thomas' death and the fact that his son, also named Thomas was a minor at his father's death. When the younger Thomas reached his majority it was to Soane that he turned to execute his vision of a new Chillington in 1786. This time the Tudor house was removed but the relatively new building of Francis Smith was incorporated into the fabric to create the house as we see it today. The symmetry and use of light are typical of Soane's style, seen especially in the newly re-decorated Saloon and his other rooms on the front of the house.
Chillington Model Farm 1780 – 1880 is generally seen as the era of the agricultural revolution when great progress was made in farming techniques and scientific approaches to farming began. New farming methods require new types of farm buildings such as improved livestock accommodation, steam engine houses, larger barns and plenty of provision for cattle. Farms containing these were known as 'model' or planned farms because they were built as a whole and concisely laid out, normally around a courtyard by an architect or agricultural engineer. Chillington Model Farm is a Grade II* listed building from the 18th Century. The earliest part is the dovecote at the centre and these dovecotes were often built as decorative central buildings in a courtyard. The buildings that form the quadrangle around the dovecote were purpose built to house the stables, hay barns and cattle sheds a well as living quarters for the grooms. The final phase was the construction of the Acorn boiling house the pig sties and cattle feed shed.
2017 Events
Open House Days Open from 2pm-4pm, last entry is at 3.30pm. £8pp for house & grounds or £4 for grounds only. Children are half price.
Guided Autumn Walk on Sunday 15.10.17 2pm start, a guided walk through our Capability Brown designed park to enjoy the spectacular ancient trees change into a kaleidoscope of red and gold. £5pp, dogs on leads welcome
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Christmas Craft Fair Wednesday 22.11.17 10am-2pm, £5pp entry which includes a hot drink and a homemade mince pie.
A selection of local businesses scattered throughout the rooms inside Hall, why not start your Christmas shopping and find some locally crafted gifts. The house will be dressed for the festive season so why not warm yourself on one of the roaring open log fires?
The County Signpost iPhone and Android Apps are now available as FREE downloads, so you can take County Signpost out and about on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad - or on your Android Mobile device or tablet..
The Guildhall Shopping Centre is set in the heart of Stafford.
The Centre offers a safe, bright and modern shopping environment and is home to 40 retail outlets including popular national names complemented by established local traders.
Staffordshire 
History of the hall and estate
