Description:This postcard view of the east front of the Grand Lodge, Beaudesert Park shows the carriage drive leading through the park to Beaudesert Hall. The Grand Lodge has been stated as being designed by John Shaw, Senior, but subsequent research has made a strong case for it to be attributed it to Joseph Potter (1756-1842) of Lichfield. Potter was an architect involved in restoration works at Lichfield Cathedral and works at the Paget's Beaudesert Hall and Plas Newydd properties. He was the County Surveyor to Staffordshire for 45 years until his death in 1842.
Built in 1814, the lodge still stands near to Horsey Lane. Plans of a very similar design for a Beaudesert Lodge by Potter and dated 1812 are held by Staffordshire Archives. Humphry Repton's 'Red Book' for Beaudesert also has a similar but not identical proposed design. Shaw is accepted as being the architect by most authorities, supported by the fact that he exhibited a drawing entitled 'the lodge at the Litchfield (sic) entrance to Beau Desert now building for the Right Hon., the Earl of Uxbridge' at The Royal Academy Exhibition in 1814. It is thought unlikely that Shaw would enter a drawing of a building which he had not designed himself. The Lodge was converted into an award winning private home for footballer Kevin Phillips around 2010.
Beaudesert Hall was the mansion of the Pagets, Marquesses of Anglesey. Its core was medieval, with later alterations. It had nine lodges surrounding its parkland. The Hall was almost completely demolished in the early 1930s. The main staircase and much interior panelling were shipped to Australia and can be seen at a house called Carrick Hill, near Adelaide.
Beaudesert Park is an area of historic parkland, within which are the ruins of Beaudesert Hall, a walled kitchen garden, remains of a stable block, an ice house, ponds and cascades. The parkland is located on the eastern edge of Cannock Chase, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and comprises part of the country estate owned by generations of the Paget family between 1546 and 1935.
The Beaudesert Trust own and manage Beaudesert Park and welcomes youth organisations, such as Scouts and Guides, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Youth Clubs and Schools, Colleges and University groups. Beaudesert Park is used for various outdoor activities and educational experiences.
This postcard was published by Evans’ The Printers, Hednesford.