Bishops Wood and Boscobel

Anyone up for a historical five mile hike on the Staffordshire - Shropshire border? If so, join Stephen and yours truly for a circular stroll around Bishops Wood and Boscobel, following in the footsteps of royalty and finishing off with a well-earned pint...

- St John the Evangelist, Bishops Wood -

Trip Log: Friday 7th February 2025 which presents a grey and blustery morning as the trusty Beardsmobile trundles its way to Bishops Wood, a small Staffordshire village just off the A5 below Ivetsey Bank. We park up on Old Weston Road and get our bearings before the walk proper commences at St John the Evangelist Parish Church on Kiddemore Green Road; the churchyard gate is bolted fast so we can't get too close a look but the church building is made out of red sandstone and dates from circa 1850 having been designed by G.T. Robinson. 

- Pearce Hay Barns -

Our Express & Star instructions guide us on beyond the church and along an unmade road to Pearce Hay Farm where a set of barns have been luxuriously converted. When I first did this route with Dad back in 2008, the scene would have looked somewhat different with hay bales and slurry tanks rather than fancy accommodation. The earthen track leading us out at right angles to Boscobel Lane won't have changed much though, emerging just north of a famous English Heritage site with connections to tales of Civil War escapism.

- Boscobel House (from afar) -

Originally a timber framed farmhouse, Boscobel House's claim to fame came when the future King Charles II fled defeat at the Battle of Worcester and sheltered here to avoid capture by Parliamentarian forces. The priesthole where Charles hid is part of the house's secrets and a descendant of the Royal Oak, a hideaway tree that also came to Charles's aid is in a nearby field. Winter opening hours preclude us from paying a dedicated visit so we make do with duckpond views and hints of beguiling beams from a suitable distance.

- Beardsmore at Boscobel -

Boscobel's attractions also extend to a restored Victorian farmyard (complete with dairy cowshed), a tearoom facility and children's play area while the 17th century garden offers examples of box hedging and traditional planting. Ecclesiastically speaking, Boscobel is part of a Shropshire parish administered with the neighbouring community of Donington, a fact referenced by an engraved stone commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. We are effectively slap bang on the boundary between Staffordshire and Shropshire at this point. 

- Windswept White Ladies -

The sense of history does not end with Boscobel House, no siree. Taking Shackerley Lane for roughly three quarters of a mile brings us in turn to White Ladies Priory, the atmospheric ruins of a 12th century nunnery. Like Boscobel, the site is maintained by English Heritage but can essentially be explored during daylight hours all year long. King Charles II is also said to have sought refuge here - the story being that he disguised himself as a soot-covered woodsman - during his daring escape of 1651. Stephen has his own memories of the place having acted the part of Friar Tuck during a video production for one of our former colleagues, although it possibly wasn't quite as gusty then. The wind really is whistling through the arches today.

- The Royal Oak -

The elements are threatening to turn on us with an occasional peppering of small hailstones, so it's with some relief that we progress via the stables of Meashill Farm out onto Offoxey Road. It doesn't take long to return to the centre of Bishops Wood where the promised pint awaits; it stands to reason that the pub here should be called the Royal Oak, and probably has more of a rightful claim to that moniker than any of its namesake taverns nationally. A creamwashed cottage, this proves a homely setting for imbibing of Bristol Beer Factory's Valley of Hope hoppy golden ale so we can happily chat about cricket and preview the evening's quiz endeavours whilst ignoring a West Bromwich Albion wall clock. Cheers!