Lichfield Tender Writing Consultants

Is Lichfield Dog Friendly?

Lichfield is the ideal location for a tender writing consultancy with its unique character and endless charm that has inspired many writers, past and present. 
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​Lichfield is best known for its lexicographer ​Samuel Johnson - the writer of the first authoritative Dictionary of the English Language.

What would Dr Johnson say about my glossary of procurement tender acronyms?
​All photos are © Copyright of the author Naomi Clews 2016 - 2023. ​

Who are Lichfields most famous writers? 
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Dr Johnson Lichfield

Lichfield City is known as a city of philosophers, the home of many famous writers and poets including:

• ​Samuel Johnson the lexicographer - writer of the first authoritative Dictionary of the English Language.
• Erasmus Darwin an English poet and grandfather of naturalist Charles Darwin.
• Anna Seward a romantic poet, memorialist and letter writer.​

• The Reverend John Louis Petit​ nationally acclaimed writer on church architecture.
• Joseph Addison essays, poetry, political journalism writer. ​

Lichfield is home to museums and book shops 
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Samuel Johnson Museum Lichfield

It is natural to feel inspired as a writer in Lichfield City. The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is located on Breadmarket Street, near the NatWest bank and Lichfield has numerous shops for the procurement of both new and used books: 
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• The Guild of St Mary's Centre - Lichfield Library
• Samuel Johnson bookshop
• St Giles Hospice bookshop
• ​Oxfam books & music
• Lichfield Cathedral 
• Waterstones (dog friendly)
• WH Smiths (dog friendly)

What is Lichfield famous for?
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Lichfield is famous for the following things:
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The Staffordshire Hoard was the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, comprising over 4,000 items.

​The Hoard was discovered in 2009 near Lichfield City and now resides in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke on Trent.

Edward Wightman Lichfield

​Edward Wightman was the last person to be executed in England for heresy (a belief or theory in variance with the church).

Edward Wightman was burned at the stake in Market Square Lichfield, in the year 1612, on the 11th April. 

There is a plaque on the wall of St Mary's Church, Market Square to commemorate this event.​

​Lichfield Cathedral 

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's about Lichfield Cathedral include: 

Lichfield Cathedral Dog Friendly?

​​Why is Lichfield a City?
In sixteenth century England, Lichfield was one of six English towns awarded city status because it housed a Diocesan Cathedral.

Why is Lichfield Cathedral unique? 
Lichfield Cathedral is the only three-spired medieval cathedral in the UK. 

How tall is Lichfield Cathedral? 
Lichfield Cathedral is the tallest building in Lichfield at 76m (252ft - the top of the central spire is 163m (535ft) above sea level. 

Is Lichfield Cathedral free to enter? 
Yes, Lichfield Cathedral is free to enter but donations are always welcome.

Are dogs allowed in Lichfield Cathedral?
No, dogs are not allowed to enter Lichfield Cathedral apart from Assistance dogs, who are welcome in all areas of Lichfield Cathedral.

Is Lichfield City dog friendly?
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Beacon Park Lichfield

Is Lichfield dog friendly? Yes, Lichfield is dog friendly. 

​I like to walk my dogs in and around Lichfield city, admire the architecture, take my dogs for a walk in Lichfields many historic parks. 

We also walk through the Three Spires shopping centre, that offers plentiful bowls of water for your thirsty pooch. 

Well behaved dogs are welcome in the many Lichfield City shops, pubs and restaurants.

​There are plenty of outdoor eating areas, park benches and places to picnic in Lichfield City. ​

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A dog walk in Lichfield
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Stowe Pool Lichfield

From Lichfield City train station, bus station and/or the Lombard Street car park you can walk past Stowe Fields with a small children's play area and around the 14 acre Stowe Pool, where sailing takes place throughout the summer months.
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Once you have completed your walk around Stowe Pool, follow the signs (or the three spires) and head for Lichfield Cathedral.

Admire the 153 statues present on the outside of Lichfield Cathedral and marvel at the quirky nature of the houses in Cathedral Close.

There are 16 statues on the Lady Chapel of Lichfield Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Chad. The top row of statues depict holy women of the Old Testament of which Naomi, (Ruth's mother-in-law in the Old Testament Book of Ruth), is one.
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​Can you spot the Naomi statue on the Lady Chapel of Lichfield Cathedral?

Naomi Lichfield Cathedral

From the Close you can access the Erasmus Darwin House herb garden for free, through the archway pictured on the house on the far left. ​Only Assistance dogs are permitted in the Erasmus Darwin House. ​​

The Close Lichfield

On completion of the circular walk around the Close and Lichfield Cathedral, walk down the road opposite the statue of St Chad called Dam Street, towards Lichfield City centre.
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Stop when you arrive at Lichfield Speakers' Corner which is a destination for all the community to visit and have their say.

The Lichfield Speakers' Corner Code of Conduct states that any member of the public who uses Speakers' Corner must:

• be strictly non-adversarial and non-partisan,
• express their views within the law, and respect diversity of opinion,
• conduct themselves calmly and without rancour,
• seek common ground, rather than confrontation, and
• aim to engage, inform and enrich opinion and, wherever possible, entertain. 

Speakers' Corner Lichfield

Lichfield Remembrance Garden

Adjacent to Speakers' Corner is 24 Dam Street, Brooke House.

​Above the doorway of Brooke House is a stone plaque to commemorate an archer who killed Robert Greville 2nd - Lord Brookes (with a single arrow through the eye, from the Lichfield Cathedral tower), in the Brooke House doorway.

​This was considered a good omen as it happened on St Chads day - 2nd March 1643, during the siege of Lichfield Cathedral Close. 
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At Speakers’ Corner take a right and walk along Minster Pool walk. 

​Cross the bridge to the Remembrance Garden.

Exit the Remembrance 
Garden, cross the road and enter
Beacon Park.

Here you can treat your dog to some off the lead time, a game of fetch and maybe an ice cream ​from Chandlers Cafe. 

Places to eat, drink and be merry in Lichfield City 
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The main places to eat and drink in Lichfield City are located in:

• Bird Street,
• Market Street,
• Bore Street,
• Bakers Lane,
• Dam Street,
• Conduit Street, and
• Tamworth Street.

All are within a short walk from Lichfield Cathedral. ​A map of Lichfield City is available here. 

​Dogs are frequently welcome at most Lichfield public houses and restaurants with an outside eating area, beer garden and/or bar area.

Michelin Star dining or afternoon tea in Bore Street will not be possible with your dog, but there are many other good quality doggy friendly places in Lichfield City to dine both inside and outside with your hound. 

Opt for a picnic in the park instead. Lichfield City is home to all the major coffee shop chains: Costa, Starbucks and Caffe Nero, fish and chips, fast food outlets: McDonalds, Subway, Greggs, Dominos and Papa Johns and a wide selection of freshly prepared food and drink from Lichfield's independent cafes, restaurants and pubs. 
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Lichfield City does not have a vegan only eatery, but​ most places to eat in Lichfield offer at least one vegan option on the menu. ​

Which shops welcome dogs?
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As a lichfield local, I'm always on the lookout for shops in Lichfield that welcome dogs and their owners into their stores. As of May 2023, the list of shops in Lichfield that permit all dogs to enter are: 

• Blue Cross Shop
• Card Station
• CEX
• Courtyard Fine Art Lounge
• Entertainer
• Fat Face
• Kitchen Shop 
• Lichfield Computer Centre
• Magical Story 
• Mountain Warehouse
• Rosie’s Hounds at Heart
• Ryman Stationary 
• S and J Music
• Seasalt Cornwall
• Smart Ideas
• Timpson
• Trespass
• Waterstones
• White Stuff
• WH Smiths (Post Office)
• Wilko 

Dogs are also welcome at the outdoor market that takes place in Market Square on a Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. 

Independent craft shops, metaphysical shops, jewellers, florists etc can be found in Tudor Row, Dam Street, Conduit Street, and Tamworth Street. You will need to ask if you and your furry friend are welcome. 

Is Lichfield worth visiting?
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Yes, Lichfield is worth visiting.​ Lichfield is steeped in history and began life as an Anglo-Saxon village. 

​Lichfield’s Georgian architecture is still intact due to Lichfield escaping fairly unscathed by the impact of World War II.

Where is Lichfield?  
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Lichfield is a Cathedral City in Staffordshire, West Midlands, England. 

Lichfield is located 19 miles north of Birmingham,123 miles north of London and 91 miles south of Liverpool.

Lichfield City can be reached by road from the M6 Toll Road T4 or the M6 J12, M42 J10 or via the A34, A38, A5.

Birmingham International Airport and East Midlands Airport are both located within a 1 hour drive of Lichfield. 

​Lichfield is accessible via public transport. Lichfield has a bus station and two train stations: Lichfield Trent Valley and Lichfield City. 

Is there parking near Lichfield Cathedral?
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Lichfield car park information is available by clicking on the following links: 
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• Beacon Park car parks
• Long stay car parks
• Short stay car parks

Lichfield City does not currently offer a park and ride service, pedestrian area or bicycle hire in the city centre.

​There are two electric charging points in Lichfield at the Friary car park, Lichfield, WS13 6QE. ​

About the author 
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Bring Your Dog To Work Day

Naomi Clews MBA, MCIPS, PRINCE2 is a procurement management consultant. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Naomi moved to Lichfield in 2010. 

​Naomi Clews Consultancy Limited specialise in helping clients to save money, secure business and develop skills. Find out more here.