Soudley

Settlement in Shropshire

England

Soudley

Cheswardine Hall Charles Donaldson-Hudson originally had the house built in 1875 to a design by John MacVicar Anderson. This replaced an earlier partially-built house (known as The Hill, Chipnall) that had been purchased by Thomas Hudson (the great uncle of Charles Donaldson-Hudson) along with the Cheswardine Estate around 1833. In 1950 the hall was bought by the Brothers of Christian Instruction (also known as the La Mennais Brothers or Mennaisians), a teaching order founded in Brittany, for use as a Juniorate for boys, and named St Edward&#039;s College. In 1969 it was purchased by the Morgan Building Company for conversion into a leisure centre, but this did not occur. In 1972 the hall was sold to a Mr &amp; Mrs Brunt and used as an Approved School. In 1984 it was sold to Mr &amp; Mrs Stephen Poole for use as a residential and nursing home. — Cheswardine Hall Credit: Tony Grant

Soudley is a small village located in the county of Shropshire, England. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Shropshire Hills, it is surrounded by picturesque countryside and offers a tranquil and idyllic setting for residents and visitors alike. Despite its size, Soudley boasts a rich history that dates back centuries.

The village is known for its charming rural character, with traditional stone-built houses, narrow winding lanes, and a sense of community that is highly valued by its residents. The Soudley Parish Church, a Grade II listed building, stands proudly in the center of the village and serves as a place of worship and a reminder of its heritage.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Soudley for its stunning landscape and abundance of outdoor activities. The nearby Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the breathtaking scenery. The village is also within close proximity to the Long Mynd, a popular destination for walkers and birdwatchers.

Despite its rural setting, Soudley benefits from good transport links. The village is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, with regular bus services and easy access to major road networks. This allows residents to enjoy the peace and tranquility of village life while still being within reach of urban amenities.

In summary, Soudley is a charming village nestled in the Shropshire Hills, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking a rural lifestyle. With its rich history, stunning natural surroundings, and strong community spirit, it is a place that captures the essence of traditional English countryside living.

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Soudley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.856431/-2.407891 or Grid Reference SJ7228. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cheswardine Hall

Charles Donaldson-Hudson originally had the house built in 1875 to a design by John MacVicar Anderson. This replaced an earlier partially-built house (known as The Hill, Chipnall) that had been purchased by Thomas Hudson (the great uncle of Charles Donaldson-Hudson) along with the Cheswardine Estate around 1833. In 1950 the hall was bought by the Brothers of Christian Instruction (also known as the La Mennais Brothers or Mennaisians), a teaching order founded in Brittany, for use as a Juniorate for boys, and named St Edward's College. In 1969 it was purchased by the Morgan Building Company for conversion into a leisure centre, but this did not occur. In 1972 the hall was sold to a Mr & Mrs Brunt and used as an Approved School. In 1984 it was sold to Mr & Mrs Stephen Poole for use as a residential and nursing home.

Tony Grant

Country Lane by Bishops Wood

A country lane by Bishops Wood near to a hamlet called Doley.

Stephen Pearce

The main entrance and Lodge for Cheswardine Hall

The view is taken from the road from Cheswardine village, and shows the ornate wrought iron gates on the main drive up to Cheswardine Hall. The Lodge is now in separate ownership from the Hall, and careful examination of the drive beyond the gates shows a modern concrete fence separating the two properties.

Michael Hendry

Entrance to Cheswardine Hall

Row17

Fields and crops near Hopshot

Row17

Postbox at Doley crossroads

Row17

Hallemans Bridge west of Soudley, Shropshire

Bridge No 53 across the Shropshire Union Canal carries Westcott Lane between Cheswardine and Goldstone.

Roger D Kidd

Hallemans Bridge west of Soudley, Shropshire

Bridge No 53 across the Shropshire Union Canal carries Westcott Lane between Cheswardine and Goldstone.

Roger D Kidd

Canalside heron near Soudley, Shropshire

Seen on the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Roger D Kidd

Just west of Knighton Wood

A straight section of the Shroppy, where it crosses the county border between Shrops (in the foreground) and Staffs (about 150 yards away)

Richard Law

Park Heath bridge (48)

The road between Puleston and Soudley crosses the Shroppy at Park Heath.

Richard Law

Canal milepost at Park Heath

One of several original cast iron mileposts along this piece of the canal. The next one southeast is SJ7426 : Canal milepost at Knighton, and the next one northwest is SJ7128 : Canal milepost at Little Soudley

Richard Law

Hazeldines Bridge (no 49)

A farm bridge, providing access from Park Heath farm to fields north of the canal.

Richard Law

Canal milepost at Little Soudley

One of several original cast iron mileposts along this stretch; the previous one to the southeast is SJ7327 : Canal milepost at Park Heath

Richard Law

The 'Oak Tree' stretch

Known to those of us that regularly used to fish here in the 1980s as the Oak Tree length, this piece of canal would produce good nets of small roach and bream ('skimmers'), with a good chance of dropping on a decent shoal of bigger bream on occasions. It still looks much the same, but whether it still fishes as well is open to question. Oh, and the eponymous oak seems to have gone (or been replaced by the alder on the far bank)

Richard Law

Soudley Bridge (no 50)

A farm access bridge, with no public right of way as such.

Richard Law

Rope wear on Soudley Bridge

A typical rope-wear plate on the sandstone bridges of the Shroppy; horses pulling barges with mud-encrusted tow ropes have worn these distinct grooves into the cast-iron wear plates on the buttresses of all the bridges.

Richard Law