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Simpkin's Covert

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Simpkin's Covert

Footpath line across fields I can't wait to get along here.
Footpath line across fields Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Simpkin's Covert is a picturesque woodland located in Staffordshire, England. Nestled within the heart of the county, it covers an area of approximately 100 acres and is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

The woodland is characterized by its dense canopy of ancient oak, birch, and beech trees, which create a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. Simpkin's Covert is particularly popular among hikers, nature enthusiasts, and birdwatchers due to its well-maintained walking trails and abundance of wildlife.

The forest floor is covered in a rich carpet of wildflowers and ferns, providing a habitat for a variety of woodland creatures, including badgers, foxes, and squirrels. Bird species such as woodpeckers, kingfishers, and tawny owls can also be spotted in the area, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

Simpkin's Covert is managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, which ensures the conservation and preservation of the woodland. The trust organizes regular guided walks and educational programs to promote awareness and understanding of the natural environment.

Visitors to Simpkin's Covert can expect to experience a sense of tranquility and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether it's a leisurely stroll through the woodland or the chance to spot rare wildlife, this idyllic woodland offers something for everyone.

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Simpkin's Covert Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.809726/-2.2551837 or Grid Reference SJ8223. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footpath line across fields I can'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 'locationally embarrassed', some say 'lost', 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'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, LinkExternal 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.
Rear view of ruined Ranton Abbey House This side gets shade so trees are able to thrive and ivy burgeon.
Rear view of ruined Ranton Abbey House
This side gets shade so trees are able to thrive and ivy burgeon.
Show me another place!

Simpkin's Covert is located at Grid Ref: SJ8223 (Lat: 52.809726, Lng: -2.2551837)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///erase.glows.boarded. Near Gnosall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

Knightley, Lower Simpkin's Covert Lower Knightley

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