The best hikes from bus stations around Colwich

The "Ruin" at Shugborough Hall is an 18th-century folly built by Thomas Wright around 1750, originally as an extensive structure featuring a Druid figure made of Coadestone. Constructed using fragments from the older manor house, it was designed to be a "romantic ruin" and originally included a Gothic pigeon house. The site has been restored since the 1960s and is now a Grade II listed monument, though parts of its original scale are gone, including a classical colonnade that was swept away by a flood in 1795. Designed by Thomas Wright: The monument is a 18th-century folly, believed to have been designed by Thomas Wright around 1750. The Ruin was originally more extensive and included a Gothic pigeon house. It was constructed using stones from the previous manor house and is topped with a Druid figure made of Coadestone, an artificial stone considered a new material in the late 18th century. A duplicate of the Druid can be found in Croome Park. It was intended as a "romantic ruin" and is located on the banks of the River Sow. source: Internet

Essex Bridge is a historic, Grade I listed packhorse bridge located at the Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire, England, which crosses the River Trent. Originally built in the 16th century, it is notable as the longest surviving packhorse bridge in Britain and was constructed for Queen Elizabeth I's use, linking the estate to nearby woodlands. It is one of the oldest bridges in England that has not been altered. The bridge is situated over the River Trent near Great Haywood and is an integral part of the Shugborough Estate, a National Trust property. It was built around 1550 by the Earl of Essex for a visit from Queen Elizabeth I so she could access hunting grounds on the other side of the river. It is the longest surviving packhorse bridge in Britain, with 14 of its original 40 arches still intact today. The bridge is a Grade I listed monument and is one of the oldest un-altered bridges in England. source: internet

The Shugborough Estate's walled garden, which dates back to 1805, was originally a kitchen garden for growing fruits and vegetables. Today, it features seasonal produce and flower borders and is surrounded by a Ha-Ha, or sunken fence. The estate is also developing a new "Arcadia" garden in the historic slip gardens around the walled garden, with a focus on creating a resilient ecosystem. source: National Trust

Welcome to the Shepherd's Monument, Sleep Token fans. We're really excited to welcome you all to the estate and for you to discover the history of Shugborough. The Shepherd's Monument was commissioned by, Thomas Anson and built in 1748 with further additions in 1763. The marble panel was carved by Dutch artist Scheemakers and is a mirror image of a painting by Nicholas Poussin, titled 'Et in Arcadia Ego' (1640-2). As a Grade II* listed structure, it is important that great care is taken of the Shepherd's Monument.

Built around 1750, the Cats Monument is thought to commemorate a Persian cat kept by Thomas Anson called Kouli-Khun. Thomas Anson also kept a herd of Corsican goats on the estate which can also be seen on the monument. The monument has been surrounded by tall trees and shrubs and as a result has become covered in moss and algae. The growth of organic matter and the changes in the seasons have also led to water ingress and the opening of joints within the monument. Cliveden Conservation will be working on the monument during the summer of 2023 to clean and stabilise it. Stone conservators will work to remove the vegetation growing in the monument, clean the stone, re-point the open joints and make repairs to the lead flashing.

Completed in 1747, the Chinese House at Shugborough is thought to be one of the earliest buildings of Chinese influence in the country. The design is thought to have been taken from on-the-spot sketches by Piercy Brett, one of George Anson's officers aboard the Centurion during its circumnavigation. These sketches were then turned into reality by Thomas Anson, George's elder brother. In 2024, the Chinese House underwent conservation work to the roof and windows to ensure it remains watertight and safe for many years to come. As part of this project, extensive research was carried out into the building including its construction and design and position within the gardens. Unfortunately; despite hours of research being carried out; we still can't definitively say whether the story of its origin is true or not.

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