This is our third visit to the National Trust property at Shugborough. The last time the National Trust had thoroughly buggered it up by filling the public rooms with packing cases, and closing what was formerly the Earl of Lichfield’s private apartment because of a wonky stair rail. The bad news is that the packing cases are still there. The good news is that the staircase had been reinforced.

The bad news is that is the only picture I can show you of the private apartment, and I had to sneak that one. They no longer allow photography there, even though it was fine until the National Trust took over running the place from the local council eighteen months ago.

You can read about our previous visits here and here, including some photos of the taboo private apartment.

I’ve asked Nick to blog about Shugborough, as he and Margaret haven’t been there before. While he is summoning up deathless prose, here are some pictures I took yesterday on the model farm in the grounds of the hall.