Description:A postcard view of Gravel Pit Lodge, a Grade II listed building built in 1859. It was one of the former entrances to the Trentham Estate at the end of a carriage drive lined with elm and lime trees leading to Trentham Hall. It was designed by George Devey of 16 Great Marlborough Street, London, a notable Victorian architect who had worked for the Leveson-Gower family on buildings in Lilleshall, Shropshire and on their estate in Scotland.
Gravel Pit Lodge gained its name due to the nearby gravel pits on the west side of the Trentham Estate. The pit supplied gravel used during the laying out of Trentham Gardens and for various other estate purposes. Quarrying ceased in 1948, however around 1960 the quarry was reopened to provide gravel in 1962-63 for the construction of the M6 motorway which runs through the west side of the park and through the centre of the former quarry. Gravel Pit Lodge became separated from the park and a new bridge was built over the M6 to keep a connection with the park and the A519. The bridge was closed after the sale of Gravel Pit Lodge in the early 1980s.
This postcard was probably posted in an envelope because there is no address, stamp or franking mark. There is the following message: “To wish you a merry Xmas with love from Minnie. This is Aunties lodge at Trentham. I think it is a good view & thought it would fill up your album”.
Postcard photographed and published by C.H. Deakin, 17 Market Place, Newcastle-under-Lyme.