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Acton Burnell

Civil Parish in Shropshire

England

Acton Burnell

Barn Cottage Apparently a building of two ages (rough stone and brick) which was once considerably more prosperous and busy than it is nowadays.
Barn Cottage Credit: Richard Law

Acton Burnell is a civil parish located in the county of Shropshire, England. Situated approximately 10 miles south of the town of Shrewsbury, Acton Burnell is a small rural village with a population of around 400 residents. The parish is set in a picturesque countryside setting, with rolling hills and beautiful landscapes.

One of the notable features of Acton Burnell is the Acton Burnell Castle, which was built in the 13th century and is now a historical ruin. The castle was originally constructed by Robert Burnell, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and was later passed down to his nephew, who was a prominent member of Parliament. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the castle, including the impressive Great Hall, which is one of the earliest surviving buildings of its kind in England.

The village is also home to the Acton Burnell Cricket Club, which was established in 1881 and has a long history of competitive cricket. The club plays its home matches at the Acton Burnell Cricket Ground, which provides a picturesque setting for both players and spectators.

In terms of amenities, Acton Burnell has a village hall that serves as a community hub, hosting various events and activities throughout the year. The village also has a primary school, providing education for local children.

Overall, Acton Burnell is a charming and historic village, offering a peaceful and idyllic setting for its residents and visitors alike.

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Acton Burnell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.614056/-2.686052 or Grid Reference SJ5302. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Barn Cottage Apparently a building of two ages (rough stone and brick) which was once considerably more prosperous and busy than it is nowadays.
Barn Cottage
Apparently a building of two ages (rough stone and brick) which was once considerably more prosperous and busy than it is nowadays.
Acton Burnell Castle Acton Burnell Castle is a 13th-century fortified manor house, located near the village of Acton Burnell. It is believed that the first Parliament of England at which the Commons were fully represented was held here in 1283. Today all that remains is the outer shell of the manor house and the gable ends of the barn. It is a Grade I listed building of the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The manor house was built in 1284 by Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, friend and advisor to King Edward I. Its position was important at the time because it was near to the old Roman road of Watling Street. The extent of the estate is not known, as much of the building has been completely destroyed or remains undiscovered. It would have been substantial enough to accommodate Edward I and his retinue, soldiers and advisers, but was never an actual castle.
Acton Burnell Castle
Acton Burnell Castle is a 13th-century fortified manor house, located near the village of Acton Burnell. It is believed that the first Parliament of England at which the Commons were fully represented was held here in 1283. Today all that remains is the outer shell of the manor house and the gable ends of the barn. It is a Grade I listed building of the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The manor house was built in 1284 by Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, friend and advisor to King Edward I. Its position was important at the time because it was near to the old Roman road of Watling Street. The extent of the estate is not known, as much of the building has been completely destroyed or remains undiscovered. It would have been substantial enough to accommodate Edward I and his retinue, soldiers and advisers, but was never an actual castle.
Acton Burnell Castle ruins The 'castle' is a fortified manor house, the private chambers of Robert Burnell, its builder in 1284, rather than a fortress in the traditional stone castle sense. Robert Burnell was a Bishop of Bath and Wells and for thirty years an advisor, confidant and friend to one of England's most powerful kings, Edward I. Burnell was a Shropshire lad who became a minor official to Edward when he was a young man and effectively rose with him. He was a trusted regent when Edward was abroad on a Crusade and served as Lord Chancellor of England from 1274 to 1292, and was twice elected as Archbishop of Canterbury. This fortified manor house was what his close relationship with a hugely powerful ruler enabled him to establish. No doubt a lifelong ambition achieved; a huge home of his own in his home county. But it seems somehow to count for nothing when compared to the vast revenues the king dealt in and benefited from. The huge Lebanese Cedar tree somewhat obscures and overshadows this side of the ruin. It is a splendid specimen and so tall as to thwart attempts to photograph both tree and castle, as to get the tree into shot you are so far back that the castle shrinks to insignificance. Somewhat akin to Burnell's place in the scheme of things with regard to Edward Longshanks...
Acton Burnell Castle ruins
The 'castle' is a fortified manor house, the private chambers of Robert Burnell, its builder in 1284, rather than a fortress in the traditional stone castle sense. Robert Burnell was a Bishop of Bath and Wells and for thirty years an advisor, confidant and friend to one of England's most powerful kings, Edward I. Burnell was a Shropshire lad who became a minor official to Edward when he was a young man and effectively rose with him. He was a trusted regent when Edward was abroad on a Crusade and served as Lord Chancellor of England from 1274 to 1292, and was twice elected as Archbishop of Canterbury. This fortified manor house was what his close relationship with a hugely powerful ruler enabled him to establish. No doubt a lifelong ambition achieved; a huge home of his own in his home county. But it seems somehow to count for nothing when compared to the vast revenues the king dealt in and benefited from. The huge Lebanese Cedar tree somewhat obscures and overshadows this side of the ruin. It is a splendid specimen and so tall as to thwart attempts to photograph both tree and castle, as to get the tree into shot you are so far back that the castle shrinks to insignificance. Somewhat akin to Burnell's place in the scheme of things with regard to Edward Longshanks...
Acton Burnell Castle ruins (north wall) The fortified manor house stands three storeys high and has four corner towers, the nearest being seen in section after a collapse, and incorporated all the latest must-have features of its time; great hall of course, large solar or private chambers, large kitchen and of course private family chapel. The king granted Robert Burnell a licence to crenellate in 1284 and Burnell had this built swiftly. He only lived until 1292 to enjoy it, having already spent maybe three decades in royal service.
Acton Burnell Castle ruins (north wall)
The fortified manor house stands three storeys high and has four corner towers, the nearest being seen in section after a collapse, and incorporated all the latest must-have features of its time; great hall of course, large solar or private chambers, large kitchen and of course private family chapel. The king granted Robert Burnell a licence to crenellate in 1284 and Burnell had this built swiftly. He only lived until 1292 to enjoy it, having already spent maybe three decades in royal service.
Acton Burnell Castle ruins The shell of the fortifed manor house stands isolated today; the church is nearby but not immediately adjacent and the village lies some distance further. This ruin was only part of a likely medieval complex here, which may have included associated buildings large enough to accommodate a royal retinue of officials, administrators, clergy, servants and bodyguard. Thus ruins survives as it was in effect treated as a romantic folly in the grounds of nearby Acton Burnell Hall, now an international college.
Acton Burnell Castle ruins
The shell of the fortifed manor house stands isolated today; the church is nearby but not immediately adjacent and the village lies some distance further. This ruin was only part of a likely medieval complex here, which may have included associated buildings large enough to accommodate a royal retinue of officials, administrators, clergy, servants and bodyguard. Thus ruins survives as it was in effect treated as a romantic folly in the grounds of nearby Acton Burnell Hall, now an international college.
Inside Acton Burnell Castle ruins The interior layout and construction can be appreciated in the interior of the shell. It is well made and is certainly a statement.
Inside Acton Burnell Castle ruins
The interior layout and construction can be appreciated in the interior of the shell. It is well made and is certainly a statement.
Gable ends of the Parliament Barn at Acton Burnell These stone gable ends are the remains of a barn in which parliament sat in 1283 and which was a significant sitting in that Edward I decreed that not just knights of the county would sit but commoners would also sit with authority more regularly. His reason was not the advancement of parliamentary democracy and a greater say for 'the man in the street', no, he wanted vital acts passed that would enable the crown to recoup debts faster and generate still more huge revenues. He needed more acquiesance. He had just dealt with a Welsh rebellion, had ensured that Llywelyn the Last was murdered and his brother hung drawn and quartered in Shrewsbury and that a massive campaign of castle building in North Wales was initiated. Edward was not a man that you said no to. And he was about to focus on Scotland.
Gable ends of the Parliament Barn at Acton Burnell
These stone gable ends are the remains of a barn in which parliament sat in 1283 and which was a significant sitting in that Edward I decreed that not just knights of the county would sit but commoners would also sit with authority more regularly. His reason was not the advancement of parliamentary democracy and a greater say for 'the man in the street', no, he wanted vital acts passed that would enable the crown to recoup debts faster and generate still more huge revenues. He needed more acquiesance. He had just dealt with a Welsh rebellion, had ensured that Llywelyn the Last was murdered and his brother hung drawn and quartered in Shrewsbury and that a massive campaign of castle building in North Wales was initiated. Edward was not a man that you said no to. And he was about to focus on Scotland.
The remains of the Parliament Barn at Acton Burnell Now surrounded by the grounds and facilities of Concord College, an international college. This was once a large medieval tithe barn where parliament sat in 1283.
The remains of the Parliament Barn at Acton Burnell
Now surrounded by the grounds and facilities of Concord College, an international college. This was once a large medieval tithe barn where parliament sat in 1283.
Lane near Acton Burnell The boundary wall of Acton Burnell Park skirts the hillside here and the lane follows this line towards Ruckley. A perfect early spring day; warm sunshine, cool breeze, nice views, growing crop.
Lane near Acton Burnell
The boundary wall of Acton Burnell Park skirts the hillside here and the lane follows this line towards Ruckley. A perfect early spring day; warm sunshine, cool breeze, nice views, growing crop.
Shropshire in spring The fields under crop are near Acton Burnell and the hills are the Lawley and Caer Caradoc.
Shropshire in spring
The fields under crop are near Acton Burnell and the hills are the Lawley and Caer Caradoc.
Field below Ballshill Cottage near Acton Burnell Spring is coming to these fields. Looking westwards.
Field below Ballshill Cottage near Acton Burnell
Spring is coming to these fields. Looking westwards.
Footpath approaching Barn Cottage Barn Cottage has long been a ruin. It stands today isolated in fields below Park Wood.
Footpath approaching Barn Cottage
Barn Cottage has long been a ruin. It stands today isolated in fields below Park Wood.
The ruin of Barn Cottage A small two storey cottage stands in ruination here. Roofless and with collapsed floors it retains many old features internally.
The ruin of Barn Cottage
A small two storey cottage stands in ruination here. Roofless and with collapsed floors it retains many old features internally.
Field edge footpath near Acton Burnell On the edge of Hobsley Coppice.
Field edge footpath near Acton Burnell
On the edge of Hobsley Coppice.
Field edge near Frodesley in spring A sheltered field corner traps the sunshine a little.
Field edge near Frodesley in spring
A sheltered field corner traps the sunshine a little.
Fields below Acton Burnell Park and Park Wood Quiet, sheltered and south facing fields in pleasant spring sunshine.
Fields below Acton Burnell Park and Park Wood
Quiet, sheltered and south facing fields in pleasant spring sunshine.
Rabbits in the crop Some large, healthy and well fed rabbits sit out enjoying the sunshine.
Rabbits in the crop
Some large, healthy and well fed rabbits sit out enjoying the sunshine.
Field edge footpath near Acton Burnell in spring The field margin has been established as a bit of set aside and planted with some young trees. Nice grasses.
Field edge footpath near Acton Burnell in spring
The field margin has been established as a bit of set aside and planted with some young trees. Nice grasses.
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Acton Burnell is located at Grid Ref: SJ5302 (Lat: 52.614056, Lng: -2.686052)

Unitary Authority: Shropshire

Police Authority: West Mercia

What 3 Words

///spaceship.defensive.shunted. Near Kenley, Shropshire

Nearby Locations

Acton Burnell Acton Burnell Lilly Pool

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.614056,-2.686052
Tithe Barn
Historic: ruins
Lat/Long: 52.6136111/-2.6882958
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Access: yes
Barrier: stile
Foot: yes
Material: wood
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 52.6125814/-2.6917799
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Direction: 250
Man Made: cross
Lat/Long: 52.6126715/-2.6905804
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 52.6128131/-2.6897556
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Acton Bridge Cheshire
Acton Round Shropshire

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