A packed programme of activities, events and daily fun is set to take place at Shugborough this Autumn starting with a Preserves and Pickles Weekend and finishing with the renowned Halloween Spooktacular.

This coming Saturday and Sunday, it'll be all hands to the deck as the estate's walled garden harvest is preserved and turned into pickles, jams and chutneys in the working farm and servants' quarters. In the mansion house, the theme continues as visitors find out how we preserve the magnificent ancient buildings, artefacts and treasures of Shugborough.

Daily activities right up until the end of October include milling, baking, cheese and buttermaking.

Every Monday, senior citizens can receive discounted entry at just £5 and 20 per cent off in the tearoom and every Wednesday at 2pm visitors can meet the estate's gardeners in our popular Ask the Gardener Question Time.

To support children who have just returned back to school, the special £4 per person late entry ticket means they can burn off some energy in the play area, take a train ride and meet the farm animals - perfect for after school fun. Alternatively a range of fun activities and hands on history which supports the National Curriculum are available to enjoy every weekend until the estate closes for 2010.

On October 3, the Little Hearts Matter Fun Run will take place in the estate's magnificent grounds raising vital cash for children born with half a heart. This will be followed by a busy programme of half term fun up until October 28 of the Autumn holiday week.

Finally on October 30, Shugborough's stately mansion will be turned into the region's spookiest haunted house for Halloween high jinx which attracts over 2,000 people ever year.

The estate is open daily from 11am until 5pm.