Aldershawe from above. This Google Earth imagery is from 2010. It's easy to see just how secluded this place is.
Since there’s been so much interest in the Aldershawe Estate, sate high on Harehurst Hill overlooking Lichfield, I thought I’d try and get some pictures of the place yesterday. It’s been part of my cycling world for years, but until it became part of the Harrison story, I’d never really thought about who lived there, or who built it. It’s quite a long way off the road, and no rights of way come close to the house.
It seems to be private apartments and houses now; in the mid-90’s, the stables were a craft village – indeed, some of the businesses are still listed on the likes of Scoot and Yell, despite having closed well over a decade ago. Now, though, there’s a livery stable, a handful of businesses, and it mostly seems to be residences. There’s one currently listed for sale with Bill Tandy.
The main house is certainly very handsome, and of it’s time. I find the roof interesting, it looks like it could be a real slate roof. I love the bays and gables. The style is echoed in the lodge at Claypit lane. The house frontage actually looks down to Lichfield through a wide avenue of trees, lining either side of a paddock. It’s quite a place.
If anyone has any further memories or information, I’d be glad to hear it.
I can't be sure, but I think the main house is flats now. In the summer, you can't see it at all.
The win house is approached down a long drive. I'm pretty sure there used to be a small, private chapel at the rear.
Sylistically engaging with a vey odd looking roof. Real slate, perhaps?
The stables and yard are set to the south. These were the craft village. Converted in the mid 90's during a local fad for such attractions, I think it had gone by 1998.