Even the name Shugborough Hall is chilling! The meaning derives from 'Shug' a devil or evil spirit and barrow refers to a burial mound. The story of Shugborough begins 300 years ago in 1693 when William Anson demolished the manor house and built a three-storied house, which forms the centre of the house today. Thomas was the brother of Admiral Lord George Anson whose fortune was made by his victories against the Spanish in the 18th century. This financed Shugborough's growth from manor house to the stately home that it is today.  Thomas Anson was alleged to be a member of the notorious Hellfire Club. He commissioned a series of eight monuments built in the parkland, which still stand today.  Probably one of the most famous monuments is "The Shepherd's Monument" which carries a relief that shows a woman watching three shepherds pointing to a tomb.

On the tomb is depicted the Latin text "Et in arcadia ego" ("I am also in Arcadia") below the relief is the mysterious inscription:

D•O•U•O•S•V•A•V•V•M•

Over the five years many researchers including the code breakers of Bletchley Park have tried to crack this alleged cipher text. Many theories have been given for what it means but the most sensational theory is that is code which gives away the resting place of the Holy Grail itself. Next to the Sheppard’s monument the estate boasts possibly one of the oldest and definitely one of the largest (at 525 feet across) yew trees in England which is said to ward off evil spirits. The Tower of Winds was completed in 1765 and was once used as a dairy (downstairs) and as a gambling den (upstairs). There are many theories why Thomas Anson built this structure especially since it originally depicted the serpent footed God Boreas, he was a major winged figure in Greek mythology with two faces, one looking forward and one looking backwards.

Most of the monuments on the grounds of Shugborough are related to Athens, the famous builder and astronomer, Andronicus Cyrrhestes, designed the original Tower of Winds for Athens. It was created to be an elaborate water clock on the inside and a sundial on the outside, with a weather vane on the top. The nickname "Tower of the Winds" was derived from the personifications of the 8 winds carved on the 8 sides of the building.  J.R.R. Tolkien married a local girl from thevillage of Great Hayward and it is said that the The Tower of Winds inspired his writing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy it being the white tower mentioned in the books.

The Chinese House was completed in 1747, making it the first garden building at Shugborough. The design of the Chinese House was from sketches from Sir Piercy Brett (Admiral Anson’s second in command) after Admiral Anson had visited china as the first ever British naval ship. The Chinese house was said to be the inspiration for the 'Chinese' pavilion at Kew.  It was originally in its own lake and it was thought to have been used as a summerhouse to look over the original island and canal, however due to severe flooding it was moved to its current position.

For nearly three hundred years there have been rumours of paranormal activity and strange presences. The sightings of a crowd of shadows entering the main door and men’s voices heard from the upper parts of the building are not unusual. We have no doubt that the Tower of Winds is an incredibly haunted place. Many visitors have remarked on The Chinese' House serene atmosphere and feminine energy. There is no surprise that psychics and Mediums have sensed the energy of a Georgian female walking the grounds and even in the main house staff have heard the rustling of a silken dress. We hope to try and discover the secret of the mysterious inscription and meet some of the other-worldly entities that are said to remain at Shugborough Hall...

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