Burton students rebuild history at Blithfield Hall

Construction students from Burton and South Derbyshire College are currently taking part in a project at Blithfield Hall, a Grade I listed country house nestled in the Staffordshire countryside near Rugeley.

Students have been putting the skills they have learnt on their course into practice as they restore a collapsed ha-ha wall, a sunken landscape feature designed to preserve scenic views while keeping livestock out of formal gardens.

The wall, made from specially burnt and glazed bricks, is being carefully dismantled, cleaned and dry-fitted back into place along its original camber, with soil back-filled to complete the restoration.

Students will also help rebuild a garden wall near the thirteenth-century Parish Church of St. Leonard, further enhancing the estate’s historic grounds.

Blithfield Hall, with origins dating back to the late medieval period, has been home to the Bagot family since the 14th century and stands as a remarkable example of English heritage and architecture.

Its Elizabethan structure, enhanced with neo-Gothic features in the 19th century, includes embattled towers, grand courtyards, and richly decorated interiors such as the historic Great Hall and Dining Room.

The estate also features the thirteenth-century Parish Church of St. Leonard and the scenic Blithfield Reservoir, opened by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1953.

Today, as a privately owned residence, Blithfield Hall continues to play a role in local tradition, including hosting the annual Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, a centuries-old custom regularly featured on Central News.

A launch event at Blithfield Hall celebrated the start of the project and acknowledged the support of Charles Bagot Jewitt, Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, whose family legacy continues to shape the estate.

Charles said: “It is a pleasure to work with the College and to introduce students to local heritage in such a practical way. 

“We hope that they take away a knowledge of, and an interest in, old structures and landscape that remains with them throughout their careers.”

Ian Vanes Jones, construction lecturer at Burton and South Derbyshire College added: “Blithfield Hall is a truly special location for our students to apply their skills in a real-world environment.

“The Hall’s rich history provides an exciting backdrop for students to gain hands-on experience in a unique and culturally significant setting.

“Working on a site with such historical importance, not only enhances their practical learning, but also connects them to the heritage of the region in a meaningful way.”