Historic environment

Staffordshire has a diverse range of historic landscapes, buildings, settlements, archaeological sites and monuments which reflect the county's own distinct character.

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Historic environments projects

Staffordshire County Council’s Historic Environment Team has carried out or commissioned several surveys. These have helped us better understand the county’s most important and at-risk historic landscapes, archaeological sites, and buildings. This means we can give more informed advice on how to look after them.

We’ve also run a project to learn more about the history and development of Staffordshire’s Historic Farmsteads. We’re now working on guidance to help owners, planners, and developers protect these sites through careful development and management.

There are now Historic Environment Assessments (HEAs) for seven of our eight district councils and an Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) which covers 24 of Staffordshire's historic towns.

Staffordshire Aggregates Resource Assessment

Staffordshire is England’s largest producer of land-won sand and gravel and also produces other important minerals. To understand the archaeology of these mineral-rich areas and the impact of extraction, our Historic Environment Team, with Worcestershire Archaeology, carried out the first stage of a Minerals Resource Assessment (MRA). This work was funded by English Heritage (now Historic England).

This project improved our knowledge of archaeology in areas of Staffordshire where sand, gravel, and hard rock are found. It also created a useful guide for future work in these areas, helping to choose the right methods for research and protection. The project highlighted where more info was needed, and supported the development of the county’s Minerals Local Plan. It also helps ensure a consistent approach to mineral planning across the region.

It is hoped that a future stage of assessment to incorporate non-aggregate minerals (coal, clay, gypsum, etc) will be developed in due course.

A future stage of assessment will include non-aggregate minerals such as coal, clay, and gypsum.

This will be outlined in an Updated Project Design for Stage 2, which will accompany the aggregates assessment produced at the end of the current project cycle.

The project design can be found at: Staffordshire Aggregates Resource Assessment Project Design (PDF, 1.52 MB)

Copies of the final report are available on request.

Historic Landscape Characterisation

Between 2003 and 2006 Staffordshire County Council's Historic Environment Team produced an assessment of the historic landscape character of the county. The assessment forms part of English Heritage’s national programme of Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC).

The HLC assessment was a desk-based project that analysed historic maps, aerial photographs, and other data sets, including the Historic Environment Record (HER).

Its purpose was to create a map showing the historic character of the entire county. This mapping gives us a clear picture of the historic elements of the landscape and helps explain the processes that shaped Staffordshire’s landscape today.

Staffordshire’s HLC project has improved our understanding of the county’s historic landscape and provided context for archaeological sites, monuments, and historic buildings.

It also offers a framework for:

  • Informed landscape management
  • Spatial planning
  • Development control
  • Conservation at local, regional, and national levels

The HLC underpins historic environment advice, such as guidance to Natural England for Higher Level Stewardship Scheme applications. This helps monitor future changes in the historic environment and supports sustainable development.

For more detailed mapping of Staffordshire's historic landscape character please contact us here.

National Mapping Project in Staffordshire

The Staffordshire National Mapping Programme (NMP) was delivered in two phases, focusing on the county’s eastern river meeting points and the western areas around Gnosall, Kidsgrove, and Talke.

NMP provides a standard method for mapping and recording archaeological sites and landscapes using aerial photographs and remote sensing data, such as lidar.

Staffordshire has had very little large-scale, systematic aerial survey mapping in the past, despite its rich archaeological heritage and the many pressures it faces.

One of the most significant pressures is mineral extraction. This project focused on mapping and identifying heritage assets in:

  • Key sand, gravel, and coal-producing areas
  • Agricultural landscapes in the west of the county
  • A sample of sandstone areas.

It was informed by the Aggregates Resource Assessment for the county (see above) and also supports the monitoring and assessment of Staffordshire’s Scheduled Monuments.

The project strengthens the evidence base for future conservation and management of heritage assets in Staffordshire. It also supports efforts to manage and reduce threats to the county’s landscapes.

The results have been added to the National Record of the Historic Environment and the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record. Final summary reports are available here:

Staffordshire Historic School Buildings Survey

Between 2007 and 2010, Birmingham Archaeology surveyed pre-1920 school buildings in Staffordshire.

The survey was commissioned ahead of planned remodelling, demolition, or rebuilding of several schools under the Government and Local Education Authorities’ Building Schools for the Future initiative.

The main goal of the study was to give an overall review of all schools owned by Staffordshire County Council. This information could then be combined with social, economic, and environmental data to help shape the renewal strategy.

Understanding how Staffordshire’s historic school buildings have developed has helped identify which buildings need more detailed assessment. It has also guided priorities for recording historic school buildings in the county.

The study found that Staffordshire has a wide range of historic school buildings, showing how school design has changed since the late 18th century.

The survey also set priorities for recording these historic buildings. It was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 looked at all schools built before 1900. Phase 2 focused on schools built before the 1920s.

Staffordshire Historic Water Meadows Survey

Water meadows are grasslands that were deliberately irrigated or flooded to fertilise the soil and boost crop yields. They were mainly used from the 16th to the early 20th century. Although no longer in use, traces remain in old field patterns and in features like earthworks, water channels, and sluice gates.

These abandoned water meadows are historic landscape features and often serve as valuable wetland habitats for wildlife.

The Staffordshire Historic Water Meadow Survey was carried out in 2007–08 by Birmingham Archaeology. Its aim was to identify possible water meadows in the county and track how their condition has changed over time.

The survey analysed late 19th-century Ordnance Survey maps and aerial photos from 1963 and 2000, covering the full length of all identifiable watercourses in Staffordshire.

The survey found 182 possible water meadows in Staffordshire, mostly along the main lowland rivers; the Trent, Sow, and Blithe.

The results included:

  • A GIS map layer showing their extent and condition
  • A summary report
  • A leaflet
  • A field guide for recognising and recording water meadows

 

Staffordshire Milemarkers Survey

A member of the Staffordshire Branch of the Milestone Society carried out a survey of all mile markers in the county for the County Council. The aim was to check their condition and survival, including mile posts, stones, and plates. This helps us understand these heritage assets, plan for their protection, and manage them in the future.

A full list of Staffordshire’s mile markers is now available on the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record.

Staffordshire Mile Markers Survey Report (PDF, 40 MB)

Transforming the Trent Valley Cultural Heritage Audit

An audit of cultural heritage was undertaken for the Transforming the Trent Valley landscape partnership project. The audit, undertaken on behalf of the landscape partnership by York Archaeology, covered an area of 200 km² within the valleys of the River Trent its tributaries, the Dove and Tame, in the counties of Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

The cultural heritage audit aimed to create a catalogue of recorded heritage sites in the study area by bringing together existing documents and information.

It highlights key themes in the valley’s heritage, which will guide interpretation, spatial planning, and the development of a landscape conservation action plan.

Outputs from the audit include a full project report and a summary report (available to download below). A GIS data package and gazetteer to accompany the reports is also available from the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record upon request.

The Chase Through Time 

The Chase Through Time was a Heritage Lottery Fund project led by Staffordshire County Council with Historic England. It explored over 2,000 years of human activity across Cannock Chase through research and landscape surveys.

The work included high-resolution LiDAR scans, aerial photo analysis, field surveys, archival research, and volunteer training. It also improved interpretation with an app and a travelling exhibition.

Over 400 new archaeological sites were discovered, greatly expanding our understanding of Cannock Chase’s history, from prehistoric times to its role as a royal hunting forest and a World War I training ground.

More details about the results of this exciting and innovative project, including an interactive webmap can be found on Historic England's website.