Lodge Belt

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Lodge Belt

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

Lodge Belt is a woodland area located in the county of Staffordshire, England. Situated in the heart of the county, the forest stretches over a vast expanse of approximately 200 acres. The area is known for its dense and diverse collection of trees, making it an important habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species.

The woodland comprises mainly of deciduous trees such as oak, beech, and ash, which provide a rich canopy cover over the forest floor. This creates a unique ecosystem that supports a variety of flora and fauna. The undergrowth is carpeted with bluebells, wild garlic, and ferns, adding to the picturesque beauty of the area.

Lodge Belt is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, offering numerous walking trails and pathways that allow visitors to explore the forest's natural wonders. The forest is also home to several species of birds, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

Historically, the forest played a significant role in the local timber industry, providing valuable resources for construction and fuel. Today, however, the area is primarily managed for conservation purposes, with an emphasis on preserving the natural habitat and promoting biodiversity.

Overall, Lodge Belt in Staffordshire is a captivating woodland area that offers a tranquil escape from urban life. Its rich biodiversity, scenic beauty, and accessibility make it a cherished destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Staffordshire.

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Lodge Belt Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.819497/-2.2336954 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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Lodge Belt is located at Grid Ref: SJ8424 (Lat: 52.819497, Lng: -2.2336954)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///intensely.satin.chitchat. Near Gnosall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

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

Related Wikis

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.819497,-2.2336954

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

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