Bellingham's Covert

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Bellingham's Covert

The Horns pub in Gnosall Public house. — The Horns pub in Gnosall Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Bellingham's Covert is a picturesque woodland area located in Staffordshire, England. Situated in the heart of Staffordshire's countryside, this enchanting forest spans over a vast area of lush greenery and is a true haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

The woodland is named after the Bellingham family, who owned the land for several generations. With its rich history dating back centuries, Bellingham's Covert is not only a place of natural beauty but also a testament to the region's heritage.

As visitors step foot into the forest, they are greeted by a mesmerizing landscape filled with towering trees, a diverse range of flora, and meandering trails that weave through the woodland. The forest is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and a variety of bird species, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching and animal spotting.

Bellingham's Covert offers a serene and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The peaceful ambience and breathtaking scenery make it a popular destination for leisurely walks, picnics, and photography. The forest also provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, with designated paths and trails catering to different skill levels.

The management of Bellingham's Covert ensures the preservation of its natural beauty and promotes conservation efforts. The forest is carefully maintained, ensuring a balance between human interaction and the preservation of its delicate ecosystem.

Overall, Bellingham's Covert is a hidden gem in the Staffordshire countryside, offering a serene and captivating experience for nature enthusiasts and those seeking respite in the embrace of nature's beauty.

Show me another place!

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Bellingham's Covert Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.80299/-2.260944 or Grid Reference SJ8222. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Horns pub in Gnosall Public house.

The Horns pub in Gnosall

Public house.

Footpath line across fields I can&#039;t wait to get along here.

Footpath line across fields

I can't wait to get along here.

Hedgerow with distant views View from the footpath line.

That must be the Wrekin way down thereaways.

Hedgerow with distant views

View from the footpath line. That must be the Wrekin way down thereaways.

A January morning in the fields A skein of geese fly past, plaintively honking, the lovely sound cascading down to me. They had been heading on a course right overhead, but sadly of course they evaded me and passed me by.

A January morning in the fields

A skein of geese fly past, plaintively honking, the lovely sound cascading down to me. They had been heading on a course right overhead, but sadly of course they evaded me and passed me by.

Animal footprint in the field A badger of course.

Animal footprint in the field

A badger of course.

Footpath way marker Always reassuring to spot these friendly little discs.

Footpath way marker

Always reassuring to spot these friendly little discs.

Farm drive at Hollybank Farm Nice place.

Farm drive at Hollybank Farm

Nice place.

Footpath across the field Off we go again after getting slightly &#039;locationally embarrassed&#039;, some say &#039;lost&#039;, and having to get my bearings again. Met a nice Postie. Had a better look around. Win/win.

Footpath across the field

Off we go again after getting slightly 'locationally embarrassed', some say 'lost', and having to get my bearings again. Met a nice Postie. Had a better look around. Win/win.

January day in the fields More geese fly past, honking and enjoying flight.

January day in the fields

More geese fly past, honking and enjoying flight.

Track and footpath Beside the woodland.

Track and footpath

Beside the woodland.

Distant view to Ranton Abbey ruins There is the ruin of both an old medieval abbey and a Georgian country house down there. Not the sort of view I see every day.

Let&#039;s go and explore.

Distant view to Ranton Abbey ruins

There is the ruin of both an old medieval abbey and a Georgian country house down there. Not the sort of view I see every day. Let's go and explore.

Ruins at Ranton Quite a sight. It stopped me in my tracks. I could see Ranton Abbey (remains of) marked on my Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map, but I was not expecting two ruins for the price of one. Here is a rare sight indeed; a ruined medieval priory or abbey and hugger-mugger bang right next door, a gloriously ruined country house of some import too!

My mind raced. How had this juxtaposition come to be? What was the story here? How were two ruins so closely sited and who, what and when were involved.

A mystery. Not being remotely local I have no knowledge to draw upon. Google and Wikipedia will be my friends, teachers and enlighteners.

Meanwhile, what a jaw-dropping spectacle.

Both buildings have their own Wikpedia articles, as might be expected, <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_House,_Ranton" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_House,_Ranton">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> here.

Ruins at Ranton

Quite a sight. It stopped me in my tracks. I could see Ranton Abbey (remains of) marked on my Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map, but I was not expecting two ruins for the price of one. Here is a rare sight indeed; a ruined medieval priory or abbey and hugger-mugger bang right next door, a gloriously ruined country house of some import too! My mind raced. How had this juxtaposition come to be? What was the story here? How were two ruins so closely sited and who, what and when were involved. A mystery. Not being remotely local I have no knowledge to draw upon. Google and Wikipedia will be my friends, teachers and enlighteners. Meanwhile, what a jaw-dropping spectacle. Both buildings have their own Wikpedia articles, as might be expected, Link

here.

Ruins at Ranton The abbey ruins are due to the ravages of time since the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s and the country house was gutted by a fire started during the Second World War.

The estate encompassing both was once owned by Lord Lichfield, the famous photographer, aristocrat, Earl of Lichfield and member of the royal circle.

I would have thought that the building would have been insured? Apparently the bodyguard of Wilhelmina, the Queen of the Netherlands, were billeted here during 1942 and it is then that fire caught hold of the whole building. Tragic.

Lord Lichfield did intend to renovate the house, but sadly died before he was able to realise his plans. It has since been sold on a few times, recently for £3.5 million in 2011, I believe.

Suitably interesting tale.

Ruins at Ranton

The abbey ruins are due to the ravages of time since the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s and the country house was gutted by a fire started during the Second World War. The estate encompassing both was once owned by Lord Lichfield, the famous photographer, aristocrat, Earl of Lichfield and member of the royal circle. I would have thought that the building would have been insured? Apparently the bodyguard of Wilhelmina, the Queen of the Netherlands, were billeted here during 1942 and it is then that fire caught hold of the whole building. Tragic. Lord Lichfield did intend to renovate the house, but sadly died before he was able to realise his plans. It has since been sold on a few times, recently for £3.5 million in 2011, I believe. Suitably interesting tale.

Buildings at Ranton The building on the right is an estate house, or flats. The church tower is the remains of Ranton Abbey. The ivy coated ruin is that of Abbery House, Ranton, a country house to my uneducated eye, but apparently just a shooting lodge to the Earls of Lichfield. It hosted many grand shooting parties in its heyday in the 1830s and 1840s, when Prime Ministers and influential politicians regularly attended.

If walls could talk.

It was gutted by fire when Dutch soldiers were stationed here in 1942. Not arson. Could have been electrical, or a smoker forgetting a cigarette etc etc.

Sad it has never been restored. But then again, what a sight to behold.

Buildings at Ranton

The building on the right is an estate house, or flats. The church tower is the remains of Ranton Abbey. The ivy coated ruin is that of Abbery House, Ranton, a country house to my uneducated eye, but apparently just a shooting lodge to the Earls of Lichfield. It hosted many grand shooting parties in its heyday in the 1830s and 1840s, when Prime Ministers and influential politicians regularly attended. If walls could talk. It was gutted by fire when Dutch soldiers were stationed here in 1942. Not arson. Could have been electrical, or a smoker forgetting a cigarette etc etc. Sad it has never been restored. But then again, what a sight to behold.

Ruined Ranton Abbey The tower remains really. I can imagine when the abbey was sited here and managed the landscape around and the people. Now it is just a lonely prong. I feel its pain.

Ruined Ranton Abbey

The tower remains really. I can imagine when the abbey was sited here and managed the landscape around and the people. Now it is just a lonely prong. I feel its pain.

Ruined shooting lodge at Ranton Burned out in 1942 when obviously other pressing matters meant that the building was not immediately revived. It has been decaying ever since.

It is quite something to walk around and observe a glimpse into its ruined guts. Old fireplaces remain, where Prime Ministers and aristocrats must have conferred, the kitchen section (I think) is just visible, where harassed kitchen staff and servants must have bustled.

Watercolour paintings depict the shooting parties that stayed here. Now jackdaws are the only residents.

Ruined shooting lodge at Ranton

Burned out in 1942 when obviously other pressing matters meant that the building was not immediately revived. It has been decaying ever since. It is quite something to walk around and observe a glimpse into its ruined guts. Old fireplaces remain, where Prime Ministers and aristocrats must have conferred, the kitchen section (I think) is just visible, where harassed kitchen staff and servants must have bustled. Watercolour paintings depict the shooting parties that stayed here. Now jackdaws are the only residents.

Twin ruins at Ranton Two sad old friends. They comfort each other.

Twin ruins at Ranton

Two sad old friends. They comfort each other.

Ruined Ranton Abbey House Ruins are more eloquent than extant buildings I think.

Ruined Ranton Abbey House

Ruins are more eloquent than extant buildings I think.

Show me another place!

Bellingham's Covert is located at Grid Ref: SJ8222 (Lat: 52.80299, Lng: -2.260944)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///sedative.tame.struggle. Near Gnosall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

Slang Covert Bellingham's Covert

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