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Black Dick's Coppice

Wood, Forest in Shropshire

England

Black Dick's Coppice

Hay bales in field below Ruckley The ubiquitous black bales in a field between Ruckley and Netherwood Coppice.
Hay bales in field below Ruckley Credit: Richard Law

Black Dick's Coppice is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Shropshire, England. Spread over an area of approximately 20 acres, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. The coppice is situated on the edge of the village of Claverley, providing easy access for visitors.

The woodland is characterized by a diverse range of tree species, including oak, birch, beech, and ash. These towering trees create a dense canopy, providing shade and shelter for a variety of flora and fauna. Bluebells and wild garlic carpet the forest floor during the spring months, adding to its natural beauty.

Traversing through the coppice, visitors can enjoy a network of well-maintained footpaths that wind their way through the trees. These paths offer both short strolls and longer hikes, catering to different fitness levels and preferences. Along the way, there are several benches strategically placed, providing opportunities for rest and contemplation amidst the peaceful surroundings.

The woodland is home to a wide range of wildlife, including squirrels, rabbits, and various bird species. Birdwatching enthusiasts may spot woodpeckers, tits, and finches, amongst others. The tranquil atmosphere of the coppice makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching and nature photography.

Black Dick's Coppice is not only a natural haven but also holds historical significance. The name is believed to have originated from a local legend involving a blacksmith named Dick. Though the exact origins of the story remain unclear, it adds an element of intrigue and folklore to the woodland.

Overall, Black Dick's Coppice offers a serene and enchanting experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of Shropshire's natural landscape.

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Black Dick's Coppice Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.606985/-2.6724636 or Grid Reference SJ5401. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hay bales in field below Ruckley The ubiquitous black bales in a field between Ruckley and Netherwood Coppice.
Hay bales in field below Ruckley
The ubiquitous black bales in a field between Ruckley and Netherwood Coppice.
Below Maypole Bank A steep pull up to Parkgate Farm awaits from the road to the north west.
Below Maypole Bank
A steep pull up to Parkgate Farm awaits from the road to the north west.
OS benchmark - Maypole Bank, Parkgate Farm An OS cutmark on the wall of the farmhouse; originally levelled at 180.527m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
OS benchmark - Maypole Bank, Parkgate Farm
An OS cutmark on the wall of the farmhouse; originally levelled at 180.527m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
OS rivet & cutmark, Maypole Bank junction An OS rivet on a boulder in the hedgebank on the north side of the minor junction west of Parkgate Farm; originally levelled at 188.223m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
OS rivet & cutmark, Maypole Bank junction
An OS rivet on a boulder in the hedgebank on the north side of the minor junction west of Parkgate Farm; originally levelled at 188.223m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
Lane along Maypole Bank Following the lane along the top of Maypole Bank towards Kenley. Daft Dog does that shaking thing that they need to do every once in a while, apparently to get their ears to flap into their eyes.
Lane along Maypole Bank
Following the lane along the top of Maypole Bank towards Kenley. Daft Dog does that shaking thing that they need to do every once in a while, apparently to get their ears to flap into their eyes.
OS benchmark - Maypole Bank farm building An OS cutmark on the gable end of a small roadside barn; originally levelled at 180.1m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
OS benchmark - Maypole Bank farm building
An OS cutmark on the gable end of a small roadside barn; originally levelled at 180.1m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.
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.
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Black Dick's Coppice is located at Grid Ref: SJ5401 (Lat: 52.606985, Lng: -2.6724636)

Unitary Authority: Shropshire

Police Authority: West Mercia

What 3 Words

///longingly.connector.eyeliner. Near Kenley, Shropshire

Nearby Locations

Shadwell Lake Black Dick's Coppice Black Dick's Lake Acton Burnell Park

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