Eccleshall - Village Heart & High St.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Eccleshall's village heart and High Street, with Explorers following an ancient map and translated clues to track down a hidden silver stash linked to Bishop Hugo Nonant and his brother.

The quest covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll explore village roads, the elegant High Street, the churchyard and small gardens before following the path through the small gardens back to the start.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is mostly on roads, with one narrow grassy path in the churchyard. It also includes a one-way street with no footpaths and a few road crossings, including one very busy road.

Take care crossing the road, as one crossing is described as extremely busy. Stay aware of traffic on Small Lane, which is one-way and has no footpaths.

Getting There

By car: Start at the small free car park on Stone Road (ST21 6DN). This is the recommended parking spot, but be careful not to drive through it into the pay and display area for the supermarket.

By public transport: Make your way to the small free car park on Stone Road (ST21 6DN) to begin the adventure. The circular route brings you back to the same area once the silver stash has been tracked down.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are only a few yards away from the car park entrance, so it's a handy comfort stop before your band of Explorers sets off.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can generally join the adventure, with the usual town-trail cautions. 🐾

There are no known restrictions for dogs on this Trail, and most of our Trails can be enjoyed with dogs. This village route may be less suitable in places due to traffic and a lack of open spaces, and you may also encounter restricted access to parks etc. Keep canine companions close around road crossings, the very busy road, Small Lane's one-way section with no footpaths and the narrow grassy path in the churchyard.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure-hunting through Eccleshall's historic streets is hungry work, but there are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks along the High Street.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, you can enjoy a picnic on the green at Clue 15.

Want to Make a Day of It?

St Chad's Church

There has been a church in Eccleshall since around 600AD, when the first one was destroyed by heathen Mercians. St Chad worshipped here around 70 years later, and the church was used as a second mini-cathedral by the Bishops of Lichfield when they resided at the castle. Five Bishops of Lichfield are buried here and, if it is open, visitors are invited to go inside and see the interior, which reflects its importance to the Bishops.

Eccleshall High Street

The Trail takes in the elegant and very grand High Street, where there are many dates on the buildings and several historic fronts to spot, including number 48, Mercer's House. Eccleshall is also described as one of the first towns to be carbon-neutral, thanks to a biofuel power plant opened in 2007 and fuelled by elephant grass grown within a 30-mile radius.

Eccleshall Castle

Eccleshall Castle was built in the 13th century and was a home of the Bishops of Lichfield until the 1870s. Most of it was destroyed in the Civil War, but it was rebuilt in 1693. It is still the private residence of the Carter family, distant relatives of former US President Jimmy Carter, so enjoy this slice of bishop-worthy history respectfully as part of your village exploring.

The Royal Oak Inn

The archways outside the old Royal Oak Inn date from the era of the mail coaches. Eccleshall straddles the main London-Chester road and, until recently, the original stables could be seen behind the inn. The inn itself has had many names and many changes over time - just the sort of historic detail for sharp-eyed Explorers to savour once the treasure map has been folded away.