Heritage

As the Town Park was once a huge industrial site, it is not surprising that that it has a wonderful heritage, much of which still exists in one form or another. We hope this web site will encourage you to explore deeper into the park and uncover some of its lost secrets.

The history actually is recorded as far back as the 12th century, when monks owned and farmed the area. The name Stirchley is actually derived a meadow for livestock. The only relic of that long ago in the park is the Norman Chapel, which was painstakingly taken apart and moved from its original site where House of Fraser now stands to its present position near the Withy Pool.

However most of the heritage you will find referred to is that of the 18th and 19th centuries. The most prominent today is of course Stirchley Chimney, which was built on the site of an old 18 century iron works. If the current lottery bid is successful this area will, for the first time, be opened up for public access.

The aim was to produce bricks on this site but before a single brick was produced the company fell into liquidation and brick making was confined to the 2 existing brickworks further north near the Randlay car park site.

The other main aspect to the heritage of the site was of course the canal and the railways. The canal, part of the Shropshire Canal, was not at all successful and was ultimately abandoned in favour of the railway. Part of the old canal is still in existence (complete with water!) and can be located by reference to the park map on this site. The railway, apart from the industrial tramways, was part of the old London and North Western Railway which was often operated in conjunction the Great Western Railway. The last passenger train ran in 1952 and the last freight train through what is now the park, ran in 1956. Many of the old fence posts can still be seen along the course of this railway, which ran from Coalport to Wellington. At the southern end of the park is the remains of Dawley & Stirchley railway station platform, which hopefully will receive some loving care attention if the lottery bid is successful.

More information about the parks rich heritage can be found with some of our links.