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Pictures of Tong

in the county of Shropshire

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About Tong

Fortunately, this attractive village was saved from the ravages of traffic by the building of the A41 By-Pass which was built around 1966. Tong Castle, once stood proudly in grounds laid out by Capability Brown in 1765, is now no more, it was demolished in 1954 and the M54 runs through the site of the ruins.

The village is spacious, it is village where old and new properties blend harmoniously together. Interspersed in quiet lanes are attractive black and white half timbered cottages, bordered with flower clad verges and with luxurient foilage creeping above ancient doorways. It was this village that was chosen by Charles Dickens for the last chapters of his book, The Old Curiosity Shop. The grave of the fictional character Little Nell is said to be in the parish churchyard. Dickens is said to have visited Tong and this, together with novel drawers many visitors to the village, which include those from Europe and America.

Dominating the village for centuries is the extremely beautiful parish church dedicated to St.Bartholemew. It is a magnificent Red Sanstone, Perpendicular building dating from 1410, when the earlier church was rebuilt. The square central tower has a pinnacled and battlemented upper stage, and a short spire. It is all medieval splendour, with an interior that is full of superb tombs and monuments, many of which are dedicated to noble families. There are monuments to the founders of the church, Sir Fulke and Lady Elizabeth de Pembruge and to the Vernons of Haddon Hall. So magnificent are the effigies and tombs in the church that in the year 1868, whilst on a visit to Tong, Elihu Burritt, American consul to Birmingham, referred to it as a ' little Westminster '. Other features include a Perpendicular octagonal font, rare and interesting woodwork, especially screens, misericords and a jacobean pulpit. There is much gilding to the fan vaulted ceiling in the Golden Chapel. This is a fascinating church that is deserving of a visit.

R.A.F. Cosford Museum is closeby, here you can see aircraft and other relics from World War Two. Other attractions to visit are the nearby Boscabel House and Weston Park.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Tong

Royal Air Force Museum(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction S)Pictures
Weston Park(1.8 miles, 3.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Telford Wonderland(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction W)Pictures
Wightwick Manor(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SW)Pictures
Benthall Hall(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction W)Pictures
Wolverhampton Art Gallery(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
Buildwas Abbey(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction W)Pictures
Highgate Common Country Park(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction S)Pictures
Baggeridge Country Park(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Himley Hall & Park(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Stafford Castle(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction NE)Pictures
Wenlock Priory(11.5 miles, 18.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Ancient High House(12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction NE)Pictures
Shire Hall Gallery(12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction NE)Pictures

All attractions in Tong
All attractions in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Tong

Ironbridge, in the county of Shropshire (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction W)
This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge..
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Claverley, in the county of Shropshire (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)
Claverley is surrounded by agricultural land, a short distance from delightful Bridgenorth, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Severn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wolverhampton, in the county of West Midlands (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Swindon, in the county of Staffordshire (11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cannock, in the county of Staffordshire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction E)
Think of Cannock and nearly always there springs to life a vision of the wonderful landscape of Cannock Chase, originally a giant "Royal Forest" gradually reduced in size and grazed by numerous flocks of sheep until the turn of the 20th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stafford, in the county of Staffordshire (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction NE)
Set in a landscape of contrasts with constantly changing scenery from the Royal hunting forests of Cannock Chase to the breweries...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Walton-on-the-Hill, in the county of Staffordshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction NE)
Walton on the hill is a pretty village a short distance from the favoured town of Epsom and the famous "downs" racecourse.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

High Ercall, in the county of Shropshire (13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction NW)
High Ercall, or rather Arkle, as the locals pronounce it, is the very epitome of rural charm.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dudley, in the county of West Midlands (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction SE)
Dudley is a market town, it was granted its market charter in the 13th century, since then the lively outdoor market has been a focal point which has drawn regular visitors to the town.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stourbridge, in the county of West Midlands (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction SE)
Within the vast urban sprawl that surrounds Birmingham, otherwise known as the City of a Thousand Trades, lies the once great centre for crystal glassware, Stourbridge.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Acton Burnell, in the county of Shropshire (16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction W)
Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hodnet, in the county of Shropshire (17.4 miles, 27.9 km, direction NW)
Shropshire is a beautiful old county with a wealth of ancient and historic villages, some, like Hodnet, retain wonderful 'gems' from an old and illustrious past.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wolverley, in the county of Worcestershire (17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction S)
Wolverley is a charming village at the heart of rural Worcestershire. It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but it is believed a settlement was there long before that.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Market Drayton, a Historic Market Town in the county of Shropshire (18.1 miles, 29.2 km, direction NW)
Market Drayton is famous as the home of Gingerbread, and as the birthplace of Robert Clive - Clive of India, he was educated at the Grammar School, founded in 1558, and his desk bearing his carved initials is still preserved.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Halesowen, in the county of West Midlands (18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction SE)
For several centuries Halesowen was a farming region and despite the spread of urban sprawl the region still has nearby open beauty spots.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M54 Junction 3(0.3 miles, 0.6 km)
Cosford Station(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction S)
Albrighton Station(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction SE)
M54 Junction 4(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction W)
Birmingham International Airport(28.0 miles, 45.0 km, direction SE)
East Midlands Airport(42.4 miles, 68.2 km, direction E)
Tong to London(122.4 miles, 196.9 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Tong

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Tong center
Wayside Guest House(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction S)
Park House Hotel(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
Days Inn Hotel Telford Ironbridge(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NW)
Haughton Hall(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction W)
The Oaks Hotel(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction NW)
Patshull Park Hotel, Golf & Country Club(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction S)
Holiday Inn Telford Ironbridge(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction W)
International Hotel Telford(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction W)
Hundred House Hotel(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction W)
Park Inn Telford(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction W)
All hotels in Tong

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