Activities in Lichfield

Anyone visiting Lichfield for the first time simply has to set some time aside to visit Lichfield Cathedral. It’s one of the finest medieval cathedrals in the country, and the only one to have three spires. Lichfield Cathedral dates back to the end of the 12th century and houses incredible history within its walls, while the Herkenrode stained glass is some of the finest on the planet. It’s still an active place of worship, so if you do want to take a look around, then be sure to check when you can visit. If you want to delve into the cathedral’s history, or you’d like to soak up the views of the city from the towers, there are tours available which do a fantastic job of bringing the cathedral to life.

If you’re staying at one of our Lichfield hotels over the festive period, our top tip is to book a ticket for the Lichfield Cathedral Light Show, which you can read more about on our Lichfield entertainment page.

For those who don’t think golf is one way to spoil a good walk, Lichfield Golf & Country Club is a beautifully manicured Championship course that’ll test and tease even the shortest of handicaps. The greens are always carefully maintained, and the main course offers a nice variety of holes with water features, lay-up par 5s and dog legs left and right. There’s also a great par-3 course, if you’d prefer to work on your short game. The price of a round is reasonable, and the staff are friendly and welcoming to non-members.

Speaking of golf, Beacon Park is a beautiful public park that’s home to some gorgeously restored Victorian gardens, a lake and an 18-hole, par-3 golf course. The park was first created in 1859 to sit alongside the city’s museum and library. It’s since grown to nearly 70 acres of fabulous parkland that’s perfect for a stroll or a picnic when the weather’s warm and the sun’s shining. Another popular option is Stowe Pool, a historic reservoir at the top of the city centre, which reflects stunning views of the cathedral in its waters.

As well as the Beacon Park golf course, there are also football pitches, tennis courts and also Lichfield Skatepark should you fancy nursing some bruised knees and elbows for the next few days. As if all that wasn’t enough, Beacon Park also plays host to many of the city’s calendar events, including the Lichfield Festival and Lichfield Bower, both of which you can read more about on our Lichfield entertainment page.

The list of famous names associated with Lichfield is as long as your arm, but the most famous is Samuel Johnson, the celebrated writer who wrote A Dictionary of the English Language, as well as influential essays on the works of William Shakespeare, and who was acclaimed for being English literature’s greatest critic.

Dr Johnson was born and raised in Lichfield, and you can delve into his fascinating life by paying a visit to the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum on the corner of Breadmarket Street and Market Street. The museum contains some 8,000 items including original manuscripts, books, sculptures and Johnson’s favourite armchair. There’s also a bookshop housed in the same room as the bookshop which Johnson’s parents opened in 1708.

Another famous son of Lichfield was Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin, who was a leading 18th-century doctor, writer, scientist and inventor in his own right. Read his poetry, and you’ll find themes of evolution that would later be refined in his grandson’s theory of natural selection.

You can learn all about the esteemed English physician at the Erasmus Darwin House on Beacon Street, right beside Lichfield Cathedral. The historic home is open to the public and features interactive exhibits that take you on a trip back in time to the days of Darwin. If you’re staying at our Lichfield City Centre hotel and are looking for an interesting way to fill an hour or two, it’s one of our top recommendations.