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Bishton Hall Staffordshire added to English Heritage in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 28/09/2023

BISHTON HALL

Bordered by Staffordshire’s most beautiful countryside and residing in its own resplendent landscaped garden, lies Bishton Hall, a grade II listed Georgian Mansion.
Though the present house dates back to around the mid-18th century, there has been a manor here for a lot longer with Bishton getting a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086. The ivy-clad house features 17 bedrooms, three principal front rooms, a library and servants’ quarters, beautiful landscaped grounds that include an orangery, a rose filled parterre and a Temple Garden that features one of the best Doric screens in the country, all of which contribute to its archetypal old English stateliness.

Various important families have lived on the Estate through the centuries including the former High Sheriffs of Staffordshire but it was John Sparrow, a lawyer and magistrate, who purchased the Estate in 1776 and made it his home until his death in 1821, after which it passed onto his daughter, Charlette. Charlette was born in 1786, and she became well known for her elegance and beauty, however, hidden behind her feminine demeanour, was a tough and unwavering resolve. Bishton Hall was to become her main focus for her lifetime, and amongst other modifications and additions the most notable were the two bowed wings on either side of its main entrance. Charlotte believed all children deserved an education, so in 1827 she financed a new school, paying for everything herself including the teachers’ salaries, books, materials and repairs at an annual cost of £180 a year. All of this during a period in history where children’s schools for the poor rarely existed.

Built in the first half of the 19th century, the central fluted Doric screen, one of the largest and finest of its kind in the UK, is thought to date back to around 1830, a time when wealthy land owners and aristocrats regularly went on a Grand Tour of Europe eventually to return inspired by the wonders of Athens, Rome and Paris.

Charlotte never married seemingly to ensure Bishton remained in her family at a time when, upon taking wedding vows, a wife’s inheritance immediately passed to her husband. Instead, Charlotte avoided matrimony and devoted her energies to helping others until she died at the age of 90 in 1876.

In more contemporary times the Stafford-Northcote’s opened St Bede’s school at Bishton Hall in 1946 and it remained open until it was put up for sale in 2018. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons antiques, is a man passionate about history, and in particular the period grandeur of Bishton Hall, so much so that he purchased it for close to £1.3m in 2019 as a perfect place to showcase and auction antiques.
There have been many reported sightings of ghosts at Bishton Hall, with the figure of a lady in white, believed to be that of Charlotte Sparrow, appearing the most. It featured in the TV series Most Haunted, and poltergeist activity is widespread with doors opening and shutting by themselves and the sound of children can be heard wafting mysteriously through the tight twisting staircases and rooms.
The hall is partially opened to the public, and although an appointment was required to see it’s interior when I visited, you were free to enjoy it’s gardens and exterior as well as visiting the adjacent courtyard shops and tea room. I got permission to fly from some volunteer gardeners who were really into the drone and we had an interesting conversations over a cup of tea after I finished flying.

Parking is a breeze as you can use the Hall's front of house area for free and stroll through the grounds at your leisure. You can take off from the road in front of the Hall but Line-of-sight isn't the best and from my experience there is little to stop you finding a quiet corner to fly from.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.78532, -1.966215 • what3words: ///expect.aims.emeralds

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 15/09/2023. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location.

Where to fly your drone


Singleton Lake, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Singleton Lake is a man made lake and forms part of the Ashford Green Corridor.

Very popular for bird watching and fishing.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.14307, 0.844713 • what3words: ///edits.awake.twin

Pontsarn Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil (By gasbag43)

The Pontsarn Viaduct was built in the 1860’s to carry the Brecon and Merthyr Railway over the river was designed and built by Savin and Ward and their engineer Alexander Sunderland (as was the Cefn viaduct).

It has 7 spans and is an historic listed structure. It is situated in an area of natural beauty, with “the Blue Pool” and waterfall nearby.

Its located in a quiet little valley easily accessible on foot from the road above.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.77967, -3.385237 • what3words: ///stones.points.spit

Victoria Park, Kent (By grandad1950)

A large multi use park close to the centre of Ashford in Kent.

Very modern kids play area, a lake and lots of room to fly.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.14437, 0.861856 • what3words: ///head.fines.adopt

Ansty Cricket Ground, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

This was previously uploaded as Bolney Cricket Ground and this corrects my error.

A fine community centre in Ansty Village linked to two fine cricket pitches.

Lots of room to fly when there are no matches being played

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.99537, -0.161711 • what3words: ///forces.spout.mount

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Dunfermline Central (By ParmoPaul)

Dunfermline Abbey is the burial place for a number of Scottish kings and queens, the most famous is Robert The Bruce. The palace is also the birthplace of Charles the 1st who helped cause the English Civil War.

Historic Scotland manage the Abbey and Palace and do not allow TOAL from their land. However there is plenty of space around the buildings which is not HS managed.

Paid parking is available outside the Abbey or in the City car park. Free on street parking is available but several streets away.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.06991, -3.463555 • what3words: ///begins.stick.wallet

Lilleshall Abbey, Telford and Wrekin (By D0c.Col)

LILLESHALL ABBEY A LOVELY FREE ACCESS ENGLISH HERITAGE SITE IN SHROPSHIRE

Lilleshall Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery located in Shropshire, England. It was founded around 1148 as an Augustinian abbey and was once a wealthy and influential religious house, known for its impressive architecture and peaceful surroundings.
The monks of the Abbey were members of the Augustinian order, a group of canons who followed the Rule of St. Augustine. Unlike some other monastic orders, such as the Benedictines or Cistercians, the Augustinians were more involved in pastoral and community work, often serving as priests in local churches while maintaining a communal monastic life, following a strict daily routine of prayer, study, and labour.
After Lilleshall Abbey was dissolved in 1538, under the orders of Henry VIII, it was stripped of its valuables, and the monastic community was disbanded. Like many other abbeys at the time, its lands and buildings were sold off.
The abbey and its estates had been granted to Sir Richard Leveson, a wealthy landowner and politician but over the following centuries, the abbey buildings fell into ruin. Parts of the structure were repurposed, with stone being taken for local building projects
The Abbey had been involved in the English Civil War in the 17th Century. Although it was already in a state of decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the site played a role in the conflict as a Royalist stronghold.
During the war, the Leveson family, who owned the abbey, were strong supporters of King Charles I and used the abbey as a defensive position. In 1645, Parliamentarian forces besieged the abbey, and after a fierce battle, captured and under Cromwell’s orders slighted it. The impact of the Civil War was to contribute to its final abandonment as a residence or defensive site.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, the ruins had become a picturesque landmark, appreciated for their historical and aesthetic value.
Today, the remains of Lilleshall Abbey, including parts of its church, chapter house, and other buildings, stand as a historic site managed by English Heritage. The ruins, with their grand arches and intricate stonework, offer a glimpse into medieval monastic life. The site is open to visitors and is a popular spot for history enthusiasts and photographers, and offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval monastic life.

I visited the Abbey out of season so although it was closed as far as English Heritage is concerned, the site is open and access is available at all times (at least when I've been there). That said, the carpark is closed out of season and as it is accessed from a narrow country road you may have to walk a bit to get there. I managed to park right outside the gate but no more than a few cars can park next to the road safely here.

English Heritage have a no drone policy, but if you choose the right time of day or out of season it is easy to fly around the Abbey and maintain VLOS.

There are no toilet facilities or refreshments to be had at this site so plan ahead for relief and sustenance respectfully!

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.72494, -2.389849 • what3words: ///donation.organisms.bulk

Dockyard Church, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Free parking can be found in bluetown and site is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44301, 0.753591 • what3words: ///tungsten.cutlets.pretty

Central Battery, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Parking can be in Tesco and the location is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44466, 0.752351 • what3words: ///artichoke.village.also

Conningbrook Lakes Country Park, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Just outside Ashford in Kent is Conningbrook lakes Country park.

Great views, lots of space to fly, fishing ,boating and kids playground make it a great place to visit.

A freezing cold morning but there just in time to see the sun rise.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.15422, 0.905479 • what3words: ///atom.valley.recall

St Mary's Church, Portchester, Hampshire, Fareham (By CJLL)

I was requested to capture some Aerial Footage for the Church's Website. This footage was both the Church and the Castle. This was part of my 'giving' to the Church. The Church is under the care of the Parish. ([email protected])

Portchester Castle which is also within the Roman Fort is managed by English Heritage. I had permission from the Parish and English Heritage (via the Parish) for TOAL

Land owner permission obtained.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.8367, -1.113567 • what3words: ///stones.shed.chest


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