www.littlerock.eclipse.co.uk

English Mineral Specimens

www.campylite.com

Little Rock - a Shropshire retreat

Set in glorious Shropshire countryside, the New House guest apartment offers spectacular views of the Severn Valley Railway and River Severn. The Little Rock railway cutting is directly below the house, and is a mecca for steam photographers. From the windows of our guest apartment, you can watch the steam trains as they run between Eardington and Hampton Loade stations - both only a short walk along the river. The opening scenes of Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here in the cutting below the house.

The Jack Mytton Bridleway runs along our driveway, and riders are welcome to stay overnight in the apartment, whilst their horses relax in newly built stable facilities. We provide bedding and hay for a small daily charge.

Even if you want isolation and peace, we have wireless internet access available so you don't feel left out..

Fishermen find this a dream location - Some of the best barbel fishing in the country is a few yards from the house, both on BAA waters and the privately owned Waterworks stretch. Other notable fish include pike, roach and chubb. We have storage and cleaning facilities for tack, equipment and bait. We also arrange fishing on the privately owned Chelmarsh Reservoir. Daily or Weekly tickets for all these are available directly from us. A recent visitor (August) caught a 9lb barbel one evening just below the house!

barbel chubb barbel3
 

Overseas and British mineral collectors use the house as a base for mineral collecting trips, and come to view the fine collection of English and overseas mineral specimens. We sell and exchange fine mineral specimens from the mines of northern England - Campylite from Drygill, Sphalerite from Smallclough mine, Barite from Cumberland, and Fluorite from Weardale.

The House...

Dating to the 1400's, the house has been rebuilt every hundred years or so, culminating in a total restoration during the course of the last 3 years. It features a wealth of oak beams, huge inglenook fireplace and exposed stonework. The guest suite, with a wealth of oak beams, is the size of some barn conversions, and has its own bedroom with king sized double bed, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and a second double bedroom. There are stunning panoramic views of the river valley and railway from all the windows. These also take in the world famous arboretum of Dudmaston Hall, on the opposite side of the valley.

Situated about 3 miles south of the historic market town of Bridgnorth, New House was once the main farmhouse in an estate of thousands of acres. It sits at the end of a mile long driveway, surrounded by rolling Shropshire farmland. Beef cattle are still the mainstay of the farm. Activities nearby include sailing and fishing on the Chelmarsh Reservoir (only a 5 minute walk), birdwatching (we have an almost endless family of woodpeckers, partridge, pheasant, jay, kingfishers, heron, geese, many varieties of ducks, cormorants, and finches too numerous to mention) Torchlight 'hunts' at night will reveal foxes and badgers in the fields below the house, and you might catch a glimpse of our family of hares.

Views of the railway taken from the house...

The Severn Valley Railway...

 

If you are thinking of staying here for a while - why not book one of the 'Footplate Experience' days... In the photo to the right, I'm stood on the footplate while we make steam for the photographers. It's a memorable experience to be up-front on a steam train - something you should not miss!

Views from our fields...

 

The railway operates throughout the year, although in wintertime on a much reduced timetable. Special 'gala' weekends are very popular occasions. We are sometimes lucky enough to see the Battle of Britain Spitfires and Hurricanes as they fly directly over the house on their way up the river to other events.

into littlerock

Equestrian The House is situated on the Jack Mytton Way - longest bridleway in Shropshire, which starts near the old mining village of Highley, and finishes in the glorious scenery of Wenlock Edge. Riders wishing to ride the length of the bridleway can stable their horses overnight in comfortable new facilities, whilst they enjoy a well earned rest in the apartment.

Misty mornings in the valley...

Campylite...

campylite

The rare, chlor arsenate of Lead, that was mined by the Elizabethans in the Caldbeck Fells of Cumberland. It was used for colouring glass in those days.

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More Campylite...

campylite

Another beautiful campylite specimen. Why the interest? They're sort of the Rembrandts and Canalettos of the mineral specimen world...

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