Top 10 things to do in Lichfield

Lichfield, situated in South Staffordshire, is an ideal base for exploring both the north of the county as well as the rest of the West Midlands. This cathedral city is also home to many hotels, restaurants, and attractions, making it perfect for a weekend or weeklong break. Although Lichfield is under six square miles in size, this small city is worth more than a day trip. 

To make the most of your short getaway to Lichfield, it would be best to create an itinerary before getting there. However, what should you include? In this guide, we’ve selected the ten best things that Lichfield has to offer. 

10 best things to do in Lichfield 

See and do as much of the following as possible during your visit to Lichfield: 

Lichfield Cathedral 

Starting with the most iconic building in the city, Lichfield Cathedral is a must-visit for both history buffs and architecture lovers. The 1,300-year-old cathedral features three spires, medieval wall paintings, and a Herkenrode stained glass window. Built in the early 13th century, Lichfield Cathedral has stood as the defining feature of the city ever since and holds much spiritual and historical significance. 

The Cathedral is free to enter and is open seven days a week. Visitors can attend daily services or partake in a 45-minute tour. Tours lead guests up spiral staircases and along passageways, providing a real sense of the building’s magnificence. At night, Lichfield Cathedral also hosts concerts, award ceremonies, dinners, debates, and educational talks. 

Eat out 

Out of all the cities and towns in Staffordshire, none spoil you for choice more when it comes to food than Lichfield. The city truly has the best range of Michelin restaurants, family eateries, and cafes and bistros in the county. So much so, that we’ve already dedicated an article to Lichfield’s best eating options. 

Some of the best dining options include Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Larder, and the Three Tuns Lichfield. 

Garrick Theatre 

Lichfield Garrick Theatre is the city’s hub of entertainment. Here, you can attend tribute act shows, live concerts, theatre productions, and festive pantomimes. Plays and musicals by local theatre groups are also often on the bill. 

Compared to other theatres in Staffordshire, the Garrick in Lichfield is relatively new. It was purpose-built in 2003 and named in dedication to David Garrick, who was a Lichfield-born actor from the 18th century. 

In total, the Garrick has 550 seats in the main auditorium and an additional 150 seats in the studio. The theatre also boasts a fully stocked bar which is great for pre-show or intermission refreshments. 

Beacon Park, Lichfield 

A short walk from Lichfield’s city centre lies Beacon Park, a resplendent 70 acres worth of floral displays, open space, and woodlands. If you’re visiting Lichfield with the family, Beacon Park is the perfect place to bring younger children. It features two parks, one of which is enclosed. 

Aside from play parks, this leafy area is also home to crazy golf, tennis, basketball, bowls, skateboarding, and play disc facilities. Its pathways are also suitable for jogging and biking. So, if you’re looking to get active while in Lichfield, Beacon Park is home to lots of physical activity. 

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum 

Samuel Johnson is probably the most significant Lichfield native. He wrote the first ever English-language dictionary, titled ‘A Dictionary of the English Language’, which he painstakingly completed all by himself. Collecting all the words in the English language together for the first time is definitely an impressive feat! 

In the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, you can explore interactive exhibitions, enter into period rooms, and watch films about Johnson and his achievements. There’s also a second-hand bookshop located in the same room where Johnson’s parents once ran their own bookshop. 

This museum is open from Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm. 

Lichfield Ale Trail

One of the best things to do in Lichfield for adults, the Ale Trail takes you around 10 of the city’s best and most historic pubs and sampling some of the best regional ales along the way. 

Lichfield, like many market towns in the region, has a significant ale-drinking history. In 1834, the city had an impressive 72 pubs. At the time, this would have meant that there was one pub for every 69 people. 

The Ale Trail aims to keep this part of the city’s heritage alive, by highlighting the very best pubs that are still open and serving ale today. This includes the Horse and Jockey, the King’s Head, and the George and Dragon. 

Lichfield market 

If you’re in the city on a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday, head to Lichfield’s Market Square between 9.00am and 4.00pm to enjoy the town’s traditional market. Here, you’ll find local traders selling general goods, farmers’ produce, and arts and crafts. 

If you’re looking for more farmers’ produce, head to the Producers’ market, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month except for January. This is a proper farmers market full of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, and pies, giving you the perfect opportunity to sample some local delicacies. 

Midland Karting 

Midland Karting is just a 12-minute drive away and is the perfect family activity for thrill-seekers. Famed for being one of the best karting experiences in the UK, the track and Midland Karting is entirely outside. 

This karting experience provides riders with an exhilarating track full of tight corners. Suitable for both younger and older riders, this track can be challenging for first-timers but is definitely a lot of fun for all. 

Competitive racing packages are available which allow between four and six racers to take on one another to see who comes out on top. 

Erasmus Darwin House

Erasmus Darwin House is another educational museum experience that takes place in the former home of Erasmus Darwin the inventor, doctor, poet, and grandfather of Charles Darwin. 

The home is full of replica costumes, interactive exhibitions, and historical objects. As you walk through the galleries, you’ll gain a real sense of Erasmus Darwin’s diverse talents and interests. Video and audio guides explain the context and significance of his work. 

Outside, there’s a large herb garden which Erasmus and his wife once used. A section of the outside area is titled Mrs Darwin’s Culinary Garden which features a wide selection of the herbs and spices commonly used in Georgian cooking as well as for medicinal, disinfecting, and scenting purposes. 

Shop 

Lichfield has several boutique and independent shops that are perfect for buying souvenirs and gifts. If you’re looking for an affordable antique, check out the Lichfield Antiques Centre. Here, you can find a wide range of period items and collectables. 

In the city centre, you can find plenty of stylish clothing shops including Fortescues, Dame Oliver’s, and White Stuff Lichfield. 

Record collectors will love Stylus Records with its wide selection of LPs and 45s both old and new. 

Or, if you’re looking for more High Street shops, head to the Three Spires Shopping Centre on Gresley Row. Here, you’ll find the likes of Argos and WH Smith. 

Where to stay 

Lichfield has plenty of great hotels in and around its centre, which suit a range of budgets and styles. Premier Inn Lichfield is just a short walk away from the Cathedral and provides a great range of single, double, and family rooms.

If you’d like something more traditional, the George Hotel is another centrally located accommodation option. It’s family-run, features a great restaurant and bar, and is located in a former coaching house. 

Other good options include the Cathedral Hotel Lichfield and St Johns House. 

Things to do near Lichfield 

There are plenty of other attractions near Lichfield. The city is well-connected to the A38, A51, A5, and M6, which makes it easy to reach other towns and cities in Staffordshire and neighbouring counties. 

If you’d like to see some remains of the Roman Empire, you only have to head seven minutes in the car outside of Lichfield to reach the Wall Roman Site, an ancient Roman trackway. 

Alternatively, it only takes 12 minutes in roughly the same direction to reach Chasewater Country Park. Here, you can find a range of activities including water sports, bird watching, and hiking – there’s also a heritage railway! 

In Lichfield, you’re also not far away from Staffordshire towns such as Cannock, Walsall, and Tamworth, where you can find even more fun things to see and do. 

FAQs

Where is Lichfield? 

Lichfield is located in South Staffordshire, north of the West Midlands and the Birmingham metropolitan area. It’s close to such towns as Tamworth, Cannock, and Walsall. It’s 18 miles south-east of Stafford and 13 miles south-west of Burton-upon-Trent. 

Is Lichfield a city? 

Lichfield is both a cathedral city and a civil parish located in Staffordshire. While it’s technically a cathedral city, Lichfield is considerably smaller than other cities in England. It’s only six square miles with a population of 106,400. 

Is anyone buried in Lichfield Cathedral? 

The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral are notably the resting place of St.Chad – also known as Chad of Mercia – who was an Anglo-Saxon missionary. St. Chad is credited for Christianizing the Kingdom of Mercia. Other notable burials include Roger Weseham, Henry Paget, and Lancelot Addison.