Shugborough, near Stafford, has enjoyed a boom in visitors since it opened in March. Now a packed programme of entertainment and activities across the weekend and next week are promising to pull in even more crowds of families from across the region.

On Bank Holiday Monday, grab your slate and don’t be late for a schoolroom lesson with a difference at 3pm.

Adults and youngsters can take their seats in the authentic Victorian schoolroom for an entertaining lesson in history – and woe betide any badly behaved parents!

There will also be Victorian toys and games in the courtyard and the rousing sound of Bridgetown Concert Show Band will fill the air.

In addition there will be face painting and craft activities for youngsters and horse and carriage rides will be taking place along the parkland drive on both Sunday and Monday.

Across the weekend and half term week there is a host of family-friendly activities planned. These include regular craft activities, storytimes, baking, cheese-making and butter-making.

In addition any mums who feel their youngsters need to brush up on housework skills are welcome to bring the family along to the farm and servants’ quarters. Here, they can have fun learning old-fashioned cleaning skills including boot polishing, rug beating and learning to set a table properly.

Group Manager Liz Carruthers said: “We’ve had a fine start to the season with visitor figures already more than 41 per cent upon last year.

“We’re very much hoping to continue this success next week and have designed a full programme of entertainment which will appeal right across the age groups.”

Shugborough also boasts a land train, playground, old-fashioned sweet shop, craft workshops and an ice cream parlour. In addition there is a licensed tearoom specialising in high quality homemade lunches, afternoon teas and snacks.