Ellenhall

Civil Parish in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Ellenhall

Track and footpath Beside the woodland. — Track and footpath Credit: Jeremy Bolwell

Ellenhall is a civil parish located in the county of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It is situated approximately 8 miles north of Stafford and 6 miles south of Newport, Shropshire. The parish covers a total area of about 3.5 square miles and has a population of around 250 people.

The village of Ellenhall is small and primarily residential, with a mix of traditional and modern houses. The community is close-knit and friendly, with a strong sense of community spirit. The parish church, St. Mary's, is a notable landmark in the village. It is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 12th century and has a beautiful Norman architecture.

The surrounding countryside is picturesque and offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and horse riding. The area is characterized by rolling hills, farmland, and woodlands, making it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful rural retreat.

While Ellenhall is primarily a residential area, there are a few amenities available within close proximity. The nearby town of Stafford offers a wider range of services, including shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and leisure facilities. Additionally, there are several schools in the area, providing education for children of all ages.

Overall, Ellenhall is a charming and tranquil village that offers a peaceful countryside lifestyle, while still being conveniently located within easy reach of larger towns and amenities.

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Ellenhall Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.827458/-2.243014 or Grid Reference SJ8325. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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.

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.

Road towards Ellenhall Park Farm The farm is a short distance along the minor road, hidden by the density of trees lining it.

Road towards Ellenhall Park Farm

The farm is a short distance along the minor road, hidden by the density of trees lining it.

Trevor Littlewood

Ranton Hall, Ranton

Ranton Hall, Ranton

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Ellenhall is located at Grid Ref: SJ8325 (Lat: 52.827458, Lng: -2.243014)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///disclose.that.bluffing. Near Eccleshall, Staffordshire

Nearby Locations

Ellenhall Walton's Rough

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