Historical Tours of The Heath House
Home to the Philips family for six generations
The Roman road running through the estate makes one wonder whether a settlement may have existed here for nearly two thousand years.
The current house, built for John Burton Philips and his wife Joanna, is an enchanting mansion that bridges the Regency and Victorian periods.
Begun in 1836, two seamless additions have resulted in an impressive building that boasts more than 60 rooms.
The history of the current Heath House
The current house replaced an earlier dwelling occupied by the Philips family, who bought the Estate in the 1680s. The Orangery was built in 1824 and was then incorporated into the design for the new house, gardens and surrounding landscaped grounds.
Many rooms have remained virtually untouched since the house was built. The public rooms have been upgraded to provide contemporary facilities for today's discerning guests, while retaining much of the original furniture, wall coverings and decorative items that were bought specially for the house in the 1830s.
A note of interest is that the Red Cross has had a long association with The Heath House. During the Second World War (1939-45) the house was requisitioned for the Red Cross to use as an auxilliary hospital. Approximately 2000 men convalesced at The Heath House before returning to The Front.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) 'The Lady with The Lamp' was a visitor to the house after the Crimean War.
Public open days
The house is open to the public for guided tours between 2.30pm and 5pm on Bank Holiday Mondays. In addition the house will be open throughout May, Sunday - Thursday inclusive, 30th June - 2nd July, unfortunately the Heath House is unable to offer Historic Tours on Sunday 28th August or Monday 29th August. For further dates please contact us.
Pre-booking is not essential, but would be appreciated. Ticket price: £6 per person including parking. Light refreshments (tea & cake) are available at £3 per person by prior arrangement.
Public open days present a unique opportunity to visit a Staffordshire mansion that has been lived in continuously since it was built, and which has much of its interior virtually untouched. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, including the Italian garden and Orangery, following the tour.
Trips up the Tower
Open Day visitors are welcome to go up the tower and enjoy the spectacular views from the top. Not suitable for children under 5. Trips up the tower are an additional £2 per person.
Large groups & specialist tours
Visits by large groups (25 to 50 people) are possible throughout the year by special arrangement and must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Light refreshments, lunch, or an evening meal can be arranged.
Specialist expert-guided tours can also be arranged, focusing on the Georgian and Victorian features of the house and the way life was lived here in the past. These tours can incorporate an illustrated lecture, and offer an exclusive opportunity to study original photographs and documents from the early history of the house.
Location
The Heath House Estate is situated 1 mile east of the villages of Upper Tean and Lower Tean in Staffordshire. Stoke-on-Trent is 10 miles to the west, Derby is 25 miles to the east, Stafford is 15 miles to the south, and Alton Towers is just 2 miles away. The attractive market towns of Uttoxeter, Ashbourne and Leek are also nearby.
Get in touch
Contact us today to get further information or to arrange a tour.