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Broad Heath

Settlement in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Broad Heath

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 Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Broad Heath is a village located in the county of Staffordshire, England. It lies approximately 5 miles northwest of the town of Uttoxeter. With a population of around 500 residents, it is a relatively small and close-knit community.

The village is situated amidst picturesque countryside, characterized by rolling hills, lush fields, and charming country lanes. It boasts a tranquil and idyllic setting, making it an attractive place for those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle.

Broad Heath is known for its rich agricultural heritage, with farming playing a significant role in the local economy. The fertile soil and favorable climate make it ideal for livestock and crop cultivation. As a result, the village is dotted with farmhouses, barns, and agricultural fields, adding to its rural charm.

The village has a strong sense of community, with various local events and activities organized throughout the year. The village hall serves as a hub for social gatherings, including community meetings, clubs, and recreational events. The residents take great pride in their village, evident in the well-maintained gardens, flower beds, and public spaces.

Though small in size, Broad Heath offers essential amenities to its residents. It has a primary school, a village shop, and a traditional country pub, providing a convenient and accessible lifestyle. Additionally, the village is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, with good transport links and road networks.

Overall, Broad Heath is a charming and tranquil village, offering a close-knit community, beautiful surroundings, and a peaceful rural lifestyle.

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Broad Heath Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.826801/-2.220362 or Grid Reference SJ8525. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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.
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.
Ranton Hall farm Nice place. Remnant of a moat way back there somewhere too.
Ranton Hall farm
Nice place. Remnant of a moat way back there somewhere too.
Pile of junk in front of Ranton Hall farm Looks like they've had a clear out; there is quite an assortment here, from old corners are god knows where.
Pile of junk in front of Ranton Hall farm
Looks like they've had a clear out; there is quite an assortment here, from old corners are god knows where.
Stile with a view into the field My footpath lies somewhere down there, I think.
Stile with a view into the field
My footpath lies somewhere down there, I think.
Footpath line across the field Good to see this path is often walked.
Footpath line across the field
Good to see this path is often walked.
Redundant stile in the field boundary This noble old stile caught my eye, with its moss covered step. Long bypassed by a hole in the hedge. I thought I would commemorate the stile with a photo.
Redundant stile in the field boundary
This noble old stile caught my eye, with its moss covered step. Long bypassed by a hole in the hedge. I thought I would commemorate the stile with a photo.
Footpath line across fields Oooh! I need to wander off down there then...
Footpath line across fields
Oooh! I need to wander off down there then...
View to Brook House Farm from the nearby footpath Really nice place.
View to Brook House Farm from the nearby footpath
Really nice place.
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Broad Heath is located at Grid Ref: SJ8525 (Lat: 52.826801, Lng: -2.220362)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///reshaping.having.calm. Near Eccleshall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

Hextall Covert Broad Heath Stubbs' Wood Heath, Broad

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.826801,-2.220362
Bus Stop
Five Lanes Ends
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 3800C703400
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan CommonName: Five Lanes Ends
Naptan Indicator: Adj
Naptan Landmark: Five Lanes Ends
Naptan Street: Hextall Lane
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 52.8261596/-2.2157773
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Hextall Lane
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 3800C703401
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan CommonName: Hextall Lane
Naptan Indicator: Adj
Naptan Landmark: B5405
Naptan Street: Hextall Lane
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 52.8263757/-2.2155706
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Green, Broad Surrey
Heath, Broad Staffordshire

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