In 1624 the land formed part of the estates of the Bishop of Lichfield. Eight acres of land together with a Manor House were purchased at the time by William Anson, a local lawyer for the sum of £1000. In 1960,Patrick Lichfield inherited Shugborough from his grandfather the Fourth Earl of Lichfield, Thomas Edward Anson. In 1966 the National Trust took over ownership of the property. Lord Lichfield continued to use the apartment on the top floor within the main house, and play an important role on the estate until his death in 2005.