Featherstone, Hilton, Shareshill and Saredon

Featherstone, Hilton, Shareshill and Saredon boast stunning landmarks, rich history and popular events.

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Moseley Old Hall

Featherstone

Featherstone is a busy community which has grown since it was once a cluster of small farms, thanks to road and rail development.

A key attraction and site of historic importance is Moseley Old Hall, an atmospheric Elizabethan farmhouse that saved a king.

King Charles II fled Cromwell’s troops after the Battle of Worcester and took refuge there; hiding in a priesthole, then sleeping in a royal bed once the coast was clear.

The house is found near the M54, but nestles quietly in graceful grounds with an Elizabethan knot garden, fruit orchard and tea rooms.

Now a National Trust property, costumed events regularly take place, bringing the stories of 17^th century England to life.

For children, there is a three-story tree hide nestled in the sanctuary of a woodland walk.

On the top floor is a chapel attic, typical of grand Catholic houses of the time. Just one of the many secrets this farmhouse holds.

For historians there are several second world war buildings to be seen, including a pillbox and  bunkers, just off Cat and Kittens Lane.

Hilton

Hilton, meanwhile, boasts the stunning Hilton Hall - an 18th century country house surrounded by 25 acres of gardens and parkland.

The grade one-listed building is popular for weddings, conferences and private functions. 

It is thought the first Derby horse winner was bred and trained at Hilton Hall.

Famous 18th century Methodist preacher John Wesley is also said to preached and stayed at the hall.

Within the hall's grounds is the grade two-listed Portobello Tower, built by Henry Vernon whose family resided at Hilton Hall for centuries. The tower was installed to commemorate the taking of Portobello by relative Admiral Vernon in 1739.

Shareshill

Shareshill is home to Forest of Mercia centre Hilton Green. Acquired eight years ago, it has been transformed from a decommissioned sewage works into a beautiful outdoor education site.

Hilton Green boasts an orchard with more than 60 varieties of fruit.

The orchard is surrounded by a wildflower meadow to attract pollinators. This makes the site perfect for South Staffordshire Beekeepers Association to house some of their hives, allowing the centre to sell local honey.

It also has a large polytunnel with wheelchair access which is used to run undercover craft and other courses.

A walk through the site takes visitors through impressive willow beds which are pollarded for use in basket weaving.

The outdoor area has a large firepit and outdoor cooking area, plus a large yurt for when the weather is bad.

Shareshill residents are proud of their Community Shop and Post Office, which they saved from closure and now run themselves as a non-profit business.

The village brought the shop and post office in 2009 when it was due to be closed and created the first community shop in Staffordshire.

They bought shares at £1 per resident, applied for grants, and took out loans.

Today it is a focal point for the village, selling groceries and household supplies. It is also a newsagent, dry cleaners, and still a post office.

Run by volunteers it is open daily, including weekends, and its success paved the way for a second community shop in Marchington.

Shop motto ‘for the community by the community’ sums up the can-do attitude of Shareshill.

Residents recently banded together to re-open the annual vintage fair and classic car show and creativity abounds at the August scarecrow festival.

The village boasts an unusual church, St Mary and St Luke, built from brick but with a stone tower and white Italianate porch.

Walkers might also notice the stone remains of a Roman camp beside the school, breaking out again in a field at the side of the shop.

These continue into the neighbouring village of Saredon with its Roman mound offering excellent views of the area. Two bronze age mounds have also been identified in the village.

Saredon

Saredon is formed from two hamlets – Little and Great Saredon – which are linked by the Saredon Brook.

Renowned for the large number of trout it held, the brook once provided energy for two corn mills.

The one remaining mill and its windmill tower is a focal point in the village. It remained in use until 1872, with its working life prolonged through the use of a portable steam engine to drive the stones.

Bisected by the busy M6, Saredon is made up of four main communities: Wedges Mills, Laney Green, Great Saredon and Little Saredon

Much activity takes place at Wedges Mills village hall which is home to many groups and activities.*