Common Belt

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Common Belt

Animal footprint in the field A badger of course. — Animal footprint in the field Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Common Belt is a charming village located in the county of Staffordshire, England. Nestled amidst a lush woodland area, the village is renowned for its serene and picturesque surroundings. The woodlands surrounding Common Belt are part of the larger Staffordshire Forest, which adds to the village's natural beauty and allure.

The village is home to a small, close-knit community, with a population of around 500 residents. Common Belt offers a peaceful and idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a tranquil lifestyle. The residents take great pride in their village, maintaining its old-world charm and preserving its rich history.

Historically, Common Belt was a hub for the timber industry, with numerous sawmills and woodworking businesses operating in the area. While the timber industry has declined over the years, its legacy is still evident in the village's architecture and the presence of old sawmill buildings.

The woodlands surrounding Common Belt offer a multitude of outdoor activities for nature lovers and adventurers. The area is crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails, allowing visitors to explore the stunning natural beauty and encounter an array of wildlife. The Staffordshire Forest is also known for its diverse range of flora, making it a haven for botany enthusiasts.

Common Belt is well-connected to neighboring towns and cities, with good transport links and amenities nearby. The village boasts a charming local pub, a village hall, and a small primary school. Additionally, the larger town of Stafford is located just a short drive away, offering a wider range of facilities and services.

In conclusion, Common Belt in Staffordshire is a delightful village nestled in woodland surroundings. With its peaceful atmosphere, rich history, and abundant natural beauty, it is a haven for those seeking a tranquil and picturesque lifestyle.

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Common Belt Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.81985/-2.2371547 or Grid Reference SJ8424. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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.

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.

Old entrance to Abbey House, Ranton The lodge remains.

Old entrance to Abbey House, Ranton

The lodge remains.

Frozen culvert near Ranton Hall farm I love and relish wintry walks. They are sometimes too rare. Even a drainage ditch is rendered an excess of grace and beauty after a frosty morning.

Frozen culvert near Ranton Hall farm

I love and relish wintry walks. They are sometimes too rare. Even a drainage ditch is rendered an excess of grace and beauty after a frosty morning.

Beef cattle at Ranton Hall farm These happy, healthy looking beef cattle are enjoying life at Ranton Hall farm.

Beef cattle at Ranton Hall farm

These happy, healthy looking beef cattle are enjoying life at Ranton Hall farm.

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Common Belt is located at Grid Ref: SJ8424 (Lat: 52.81985, Lng: -2.2371547)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///evolution.slightly.outfit. Near Gnosall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

Gap Pool Wood Anne's Well Wood Lodge Belt Common Belt

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.81985,-2.2371547

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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