The grandiose stone fireplace in the main saloon room at the stately home of Chillington Hall reflects an outstanding story from the owning family's past.
Five hundred years ago, one of the Giffards of old managed to fire an arrow, over a huge distance, killing a panther (believe it!) that was about to attack a woman and child. Such accuracy and self-belief become an ambition for later generations, so much so that a panther is now the family's heraldic symbol.
You don't see a lot of panthers in Staffordshire, so this is worth seeking out.
