Families and history lovers are invited to a series of events and activities in the run up to Christmas at the Staffordshire History Centre.

From gentle Christmas-themed craft sessions to more gruesome historical walks and talks, there’s something for everyone.

Kicking things off on Wednesday 3 December at 1pm is a 15-minute spotlight talk on ‘Poor Law Beyond the Workhouse.'  This free talk will explore the realities of poverty in nineteenth-century Staffordshire and the role of the Victorian-era workhouses.

A Crime and Punishment walking tour on Friday 5 December will take people on a guided walk around the streets of Stafford to learn more about criminal justice through the ages of the town. The one-mile tour starts at 10:30am and costs £5 per person.

Christmas-themed events are also taking place at the history centre, including the ‘Mindful Christmas Crafts’ session for adults on Friday 12 December. Another spotlight talk on Staffordshire’s ‘Christmas Traditions’ on Friday 19 December will explore festive traditions from wartime rationing to 1980s decor.

Families and children can take part in a festive morning on Tuesday 23 December with ‘Storytime: Elves and the Shoemaker,’ during which children can enjoy an interactive fairy tale with a Staffordshire twist. The free event is suitable for ages one to six, and runs from 10:30am to 11:30am.

Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“It’s great to see the history centre bringing the magic of Christmas to life with such a creative and engaging programme of activities.

“The centre is a fantastic space for learning and enjoyment, and these events are a wonderful way to connect with Staffordshire’s fascinating past while taking part in some truly fun activities.

“Since opening last year, we’ve had over 16,000 visitors, so if you haven’t been yet, a visit in the run up to Christmas is a must.”

On Tuesday 30 December, families will have the chance to prolong the holiday fun with ‘Twixmas at the History Centre: Toy Time Travellers.' Here, children can enjoy a sensory story time, while ‘Cosy Crafternoon' offers the chance to make Victorian-inspired paper toys.

The Staffordshire History Centre, located on Eastgate Street in Stafford, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm. The centre includes a research room, historical collections, educational spaces and a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. The centre was partly funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with a grant of £4.8 million.

Full details, Christmas opening times and booking information can be found at staffordshirehistory.org.uk.