The Wolseley Centre is the Headquarters for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the county's leading nature conservation charity. It is an award winning centre, set in 26 acres of beautiful grounds where you can explore interesting features and wildlife-friendly display gardens.
The grounds were once the ancestral home of the Wolseley family, now managed with wildlife in mind, yet still cater for people of all ages and mobility.
"The land was held by the Wolseley family from the 11th century until the mid-1990s. At one stage the estate contained a medieval deer park. Celia Fiennes reported 'a well wooded deer park, fish ponds, gardens good, both gravel and green walks, good fruit well dressed and pruned on well covered walls'.
There were major alterations to the hall and offices by Trubshaw in 1821. A plan of 1826 shows the gardens enclosed within a loop of the river Trent which has been canalised in part to form a pool, screened by trees enclosing a walk or ride to north and west, creating a visa from the west front of the hall across a small formal garden and lawn.
The 1885 Ordnance Survey map shows a two acre rectangular, quartered kitchen garden containing three buildings." (
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There are a network of accessible footpaths weaving around the grounds. Areas to explore include Stafford Brook, woodland and wetland habitats, three lakes, wildlife garden, sensory garden and a boardwalk that offers views over tranquil pools and across the River Trent and beyond.
For younger visitors there is a Play Trail, which includes a welly splash bridge, musical sculptures, rocks, logs and trees to climb on and a giant web swing! Look for the many natural sculptures and willow creations around the grounds in the leafy undergrowth.
The Centre has a gift shop that sells nature-inspired books, toys, homeware, clothing, cards, bird food and feeders.
There is a small cafe which provides hot and cold drinks and cold snacks which you can enjoy in an indoor or outdoor seating area or one of the many picnic benches around the grounds.
The centre has conference facilities for meetings and functions, can cater for Birthday Parties and school visits and also offers a packed programme of events and activities throughout the year.
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A report about the Wolseley Centre by Jordan Reynolds appeared on the Express and Star online on 20th June 2019, and reads as follows;
'Wildlife attraction The Wolseley Centre gets VIP opening''Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s new-look Wolseley Centre headquarters have received a VIP opening.
The centre and its brand new Kingfisher Café, near Rugeley, were officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire and other invited guests.
The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, who is also the Patron of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, was joined by the High Sherriff of Staffordshire, Ashley Brough, the Mayor of Stafford Borough Council, Gareth Jones, and the Vice Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, Paul Snape on June 12.
Groups, individuals and businesses who had provided funding to make the dream of the revamped centre become a reality also attended.
The Wolseley Centre, the trust’s home since 2003, has undergone a major redevelopment since the end of last year.
The dignitaries and guests were given a tour of the new centre and café and spoke to staff and trustees at the trust about the work of the charity. They also learned more about the charity’s 50th anniversary plans which have been taking place in 2019.
Julian Woolford, chief executive of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We were delighted the Lord Lieutenant and guests were able to join us and make the opening of our revamped centre such a success.
“The Wolseley Centre is a great place for people to come and relax and enjoy nature. Children especially love it. Hopefully the new cafe and shop will make it an even more attractive place to visit.”'
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