We visited the 'poshest village' in the region - and what we found certainly surprised us
Shenstone was the only village in Staffordshire to be included in the Telegraph's Poshest Villages in the UK list.
Despite old money villages like Abbotts Bromley and Yoxall, where the landed gentry have lived for generations, it was Shenstone, between Mere Green and Lichfield which made the list. Mainly because of its excellent rail links to Birmingham, London and beyond.
However, the day we went, the cross city line was out of action and the centre of the village was blocked off by police cars and officers due to a Pro-Palestine protest outside a factory which makes drone engines which are used in Israel.
So the locals who were called "babykillers" by protesters for complaining about the huge diversion did not feel like they were living in an idyllic rural paradise.
However, when we spoke to locals at The Plough pub, they were quick to find their civic pride in their village.
Connor Roberts, manager at The Plough, gets to see the comings and goings of residents every day.
He said: "I would not think of Shenstone as posh, but I would say it is a wonderful place to work.
"We see the same regular faces all the time and they are good people, we don't get any rudeness, bad language or nastiness.
"And we do get our fair share of city high fliers from London because we are close. But I would not want to work anywhere else."
The local postie Corin Smith walks 8 miles around the village everyday.
She said: "There is good and bad in everywhere you go in the world. But, I love working in Shenstone but I would say that because I live here."
Shenstone resident of 35 years Bruce Smith enjoys the quiet life in the village but claimed it was not boring.
He said: "You get to a certain time of life and you want to live somewhere that you feel safe.
"People recognise me, say hello in the street, are not rude and I am not criticising where I lived before in Perry Barr and Great Barr, but that is Birmingham. I like village life."
Bruce also loves the scenery surrounding Shenstone.
He said: "I look out my window and see fields and countryside as far as I can see, I couldn't be happier, when there are not diversions because of protests obviously."
A 94-year-old resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I have lived here for more than 40 years, I bought my 4 bed house for £25,000 which was a real bargain."
The average house price in Shenstone is now £670,000.
Adam McNally, who was visiting Shenstone with work, said: "This village has got everything, I will be coming back that is for sure."
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