Introduction
Originally an 18th-century ferme ornee (ornamental farm), much of the park is now pasture with some woodland and arable.
Much of the park is now farmed, mostly as pasture but with some arable and areas of woodland. A string of fishponds and a large mere with a boathouse lie to the south. The lake and vistas are good, and suggest a possible ferme ornee. The remains of the old hall lie next to the former kitchen garden, which has walls intact, but is in use as a nursery.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01785 851556Directions
The site is two and a half miles north-west of Eccleshall on the B5026.
Other Websites
- History
In 1732, when John Campbell, Viscount Glenorchy, inherited through his wife Arabella Pershall, there were ten acres of garden, a bowling green and an orchard.
Campbell cleared away the gardens close by the house, and created a ferme ornee between 1732 and 1742. This was based around chains of earlier pools running down to a mere. He also built the walled kitchen garden between 1737 and 1738, and a Gothick boathouse dated to around 1745, possibly by Thomas Wright.
There were minor changes (for example, the springhead, small temple and planting) associated with 1770s rebuilding, and also with late-19th century and early-20th century sport.
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Features
- House (featured building)
- Description: Sugnall Old Hall was built in the early-17th century and rebuilt in the 1770s. It was demolished around 1880.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Ferme Ornee
- Boat House
- Pool
- Kitchen Garden
- Description: Now in use as a nursery.
- Fishpond
- Description: A string of fishponds.
- Key Information
Type
Estate
Purpose
Ornamental
Survival
Part: standing remains
Hectares
80
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Eccleshall
- References
References
- White, W. 1851. {A History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire}, ref Richard Hodges, A History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire
- Description of Sugnall Hall Estate 1830
- Sugnall Hall Estate Plan 1835