Overview

Lichfield (lit) ch field), although small, is a Cathedral City, in Staffordshire, noted for its three spired Cathedral, the only one with three spires in England, and the area has old medieval buildings and cobbled streets. (PHOTO ONE, LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL FROM MINSTER POOL) Lichfield was established in 669 AD when Chad, later a Abbot then a Bishop of Mercia, one of four brothers, established the church here in Lichfield. The first Church built here was in 700, then starting in 1085 and into the 1100’s a wooden Saxon church stood but was replaced by this stone Cathedral in 1330’s. If you visit, The red stoned building Is of sandstone taken from a local quarry, and you may just notice the stained glass windows, especially in Lady Chapel, the finest medieval Flemish painted glass in existence. Lichfield Cathedral suffered badly during the English civil war, and restoration then took place in the 1600’s but not until the 19th century did the Cathedral start to look as if work had been completed. Henry 8th introduced dioceses and city status was granted to Lichfield, but it was in 1889 that city status was granted by government. During 1593 a third of the people of Lichfield died due to the Black Death, then Mary 1st clean out of supposed heretics made it that Lichfield was not the place to be living in at that time period. The last person to be burnt at the stake was Edward Wightman who was put to death in Market place on 11 April 1612. (PHOTO TWO, TAMWORTH STREET ) As time passed, Lichfield began to prosper, and became a rest stop between London, Chester and Birmingham, it even had a sewerage system, paved streets and gas powered street lights. With the introduction of the railways, it meant the coaching travel was no longer required, but now, not being of much importance, Lichfield escaped the raids during the Second World War, and many of the historical buildings survived and add to its appeal today. (PHOTO THREE, CAR PARK BEHIND MARKET STREET) A reasonably sized car park is situated between the Minster Pool and Market street, an ideal position for disabled people which has a number of bays, and makes visiting the old streets very handy, we recommend you using this car park if you wish to follow our suggested route to see Lichfield. Parking is free, 2022, for blue badge holders. You will see the B&M store ahead of you, or whatever store will be there on your visit, and makes an ideal place to start your visit, don’t spend to much though, and of course your carer could quickly place the items bought back into the boot of your car, saving dragging the bag with you. Then use the exit at far end of shop to take you out onto Market street. If you prefer, take the alley next to shop and go down this to reach Market street. (PHOTO 4, 5 and 6, MARKET STREET ) TURN RIGHT on Market street, and you will find a number of interesting buildings, our photo 6 shows no 1 and no 3 which although not looking much are grade 11 Listed buildings. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COFFEE BREAK, AS YOU GO ALONG MARKET STREET, LOOK ON YOUR RIGHT FOR A NARROW COBBLED ALLEY, OR IF YOU COULD MANAGE A COUPLE OF STEPS, THEN CONTINUE ALONG MARKET STREET, TO TURN RIGHT AT BIRD STREET FOR GEORGE HOTEL, this is a better entrance, but steps. ( we give a separate review for George hotel ) and a nice place to relax a while. ( PHOTO 7, MARKET STREET TO MARKET PLACE ) Turn round and retrace your steps to go along Market street. ( PHOTO 8 LICHFIELD LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ) St Mary’s church, completed in 1870, has now been converted into the Lichfield library, after two years and £1.4 million pounds of investment. (PHOTO 9 SAMUEL JOHNSON STATUE, PHOTOS 10 to 13 MUSEUM ) Dr Johnson was born in Lichfield on 18 September 1709 in Breadmarket street, Lichfield, and became an important part of Lichfields history, regarded as Britains truly great critic of English literature. The family shop stood on the corner of Market street, and has today become the museum of his life time, where as a young man he spent much of his time reading and building up his literary knowledge. He became known as the man who completed his dictionary of the English language, and did so on his own over just 8 years, and was in use for 150 years, finally published in April 1755, containing 42,773 entries. At the same time, he wrote many poems, publishing these and receiving a small amount of money. During his lifetime he had several health problems, tuberculous, deaf in one ear, blindness in one eye, gout, testicular cancer, and a stroke that made it he could no longer speak. On 13 December 1784, he met with two friends, and shortly afterwards he fell into a coma, and died at 7.00pm. He was buried at Westminster Abbey. ( PHOTO 14 GUILDHALL ) It is believed the first guild hall was built about 1387. Due to being in a poor condition, a new hall was rebuilt in 1848. The busts above the entrance are those of King George V and Queen Mary. For much of the 19 hundreds, it was the meeting place for Lichfield county council, but no longer does so, but following repair works it is now available for use by the public and hired out for various events. Our focal point on our visit here though is to bring attention to a well respected benefactor of Lichfield, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Swinfen-Broun, and concerns the family coat of arms that can be see in the stained glass on the side of the guildhall. ( We offer a seperate review for his families history on Disabled Traveller Lichfield visit (3) Swinfen hall. (Our review number 167) ( PHOTO 15 BORE STREET ) As facing the guildhall, TURN LEFT and stroll down Bore street, and you will see a number of grade 11 listed buildings. ( PHOTO 16 THREE SPIRES SHOPPING MALL ) This is a pleasant street to shop along, small outlets as well as well known brands. There are a number of cafes that a well earned drink can be taken, with seating available for a short rest. ( PHOTOS BORE STREET, 17, 18 and 19. This small little cafe type shop, BEERHOLM is a delightful place for a quick drink, offering mainly Belgium spirits, but a nice place to sit and relax. ( PHOTO 20 DAM STREET ) From BEERHOLM, TURN RIGHT and walk up to junction, then TURN RIGHT and walk up towards Market place and the museum, but now keep walking straight on ahead, and along Dam street, passing a few shops and delightful old grade 11 buildings, and this will take you to Minster pool, and going left, you arrive at the gardens overlooking the lake and it’s many water birds. Over to the left the park has a long walled area, with an exit that will take you back to your car park.

Transport & Parking

The best place for car park is behind Market street (Sat NAV WS13 6QT) where a number of disabled bays are available. It is then easy enough to get to main shops and sight seeing spots. Try going through B&M shop, without spending, or along narrow alley next to it, and you are outbox Market street.

Access

All round town it was OK to be pushed around, but cobbles will mean picking your way round, but they add to the attraction of town. We were able to see all of Lichfield anyway, and enjoyed our visit. We give just 3 stars due to sometimes it being a bit awkward to be pushed around, but this must not put you off visiting.

Toilets

You may just stumble on public toilets, but they are public toilets, so don’t expect much. We personally used the disabled toilet in the George hotel, (reviewed for you)

Staff

Photos