Morville Hall

Morville Hall, a 16th-century building, was imposingly remodelled by William Baker in the mid 18th century. Baker's employment began following the election of his client Arthur Weaver as M.P. for Bridgnorth in 1747. As well as rebuilding the house, Weaver also made improvements to its grounds. He was possibly acting as his own landscape designer, and attempted to model the gardens on the height of current fashion. They are described in a letter of July 1760 from Thomas Percy to William Shenstone. Implicitly comparing the work at Morville Hall to his own Naturalistic landscape gardens at The Leasowes, Halesowen (designed by Shenstone), Percy somewhat sarcastically commented on Weaver's efforts:

'Last year died a Mr Weaver who had a Seat near Bridgenorth and who was possessed by the very demon of Caprice: He came into possession of an Old Mansion that commanded a fine view down a most pleasing Vale, he contrived to intercept it by two straight rows of Elms that ran in an oblique direction across it, and which led the Eye to a pyramidal Obelisk composed of one single board set up endways and painted by the Joiner of the Village: this obelisk however was soon removed by the first puff of wind. In view of one of his windows grew a noble large, Spreading Ash, which tho' the spontaneous gift of Nature, was really a fine object: and by its stately figure and chearful Verdure afforded a most pleasing relief to the Eye; you will stare when I tell you that Mr W had this Tree painted white, leaves and all: it is true the leaves soon fell off, and the tree died, but the Skeleton still remains, as a monument of its owner's Wisdom and Ingenuity.'

The elm avenues mentioned by Percy are not visible on detailed 19th-century and later maps, so were obviously short-lived. The gardens around the house include several historic features. The lawn south-west of the house is enclosed by two rows of tall yews. Beyond is a rose garden, and further beyond still a formal canal. At the side of the Hall is a small formal sunken garden and a lily pool, both laid out in the earlier 20th century.