Heath, Broad

Settlement in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Heath, Broad

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

Heath, Broad is a small village located in the county of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Situated approximately 7 miles north of the town of Stafford, it falls within the civil parish of Colwich. The village is nestled in a rural setting, surrounded by picturesque countryside and farmland.

Heath, Broad is known for its tranquil and idyllic atmosphere, making it a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The village features a scattering of traditional cottages and houses, giving it a quintessential English countryside charm.

Although small in size, Heath, Broad offers a range of amenities to its residents and visitors. The village boasts a local pub, serving up a selection of traditional British dishes and beverages, as well as a small convenience store for everyday essentials. The nearby town of Stafford provides further amenities, including supermarkets, schools, and healthcare facilities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Heath, Broad offers ample opportunities for exploring the surrounding natural beauty. The village is surrounded by scenic walking and cycling routes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the stunning Staffordshire countryside. Additionally, the nearby Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provides further opportunities for outdoor pursuits, including hiking, horse riding, and wildlife spotting.

Overall, Heath, Broad is a charming and peaceful village, offering a serene escape amidst the beauty of the Staffordshire countryside.

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Heath, Broad 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, 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&#039;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.

Show me another place!

Heath, Broad 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

Stubbs' Wood Broad Heath Hextall Covert 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

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

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

Broad Heath Staffordshire

Broad Heath Radnorshire

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