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Bexhill-on-sea boulevard, Sussex

Bexhill

in the county of East Sussex

Pictures of Tong

a Picturesque Village in the county of Shropshire

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Tong

Iron Bridge with poppies

Ironbridge (169 Pictures) in the county of Shropshire

(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction W of Tong)

This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge....

This is Saint Peters Church in the heart of Wolverhampton city center

Wolverhampton (38 Pictures) in the county of West Midlands

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SE of Tong)

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St. Mary's Church, Stafford

Stafford (55 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Staffordshire

(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction NE of Tong)

Set in a landscape of contrasts with constantly changing scenery from the Royal hunting forests of Cannock Chase to the breweries of Burton, it is pleasurable to come across the.....

Priory Ruins

Dudley (78 Pictures) in the county of West Midlands

(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction SE of Tong)

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...

After the Service

Acton Burnell (16 Pictures) in the county of Shropshire

(16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction W of Tong)

Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776...

All towns & villages in Shropshire
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Nearby attractions..

The building housing the Cold War exhibition

Royal Air Force Museum (39 Pictures)

(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction S)

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Seventeenth Century Weston Park House

Weston Park (5 Pictures)

(1.8 miles, 3.0 km, direction NE)

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The Victorian Fairground, Blists Hill, Shropshire

Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum (137 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SW)

Blists Hill VICTORIAN TOWN is one of the largest Open Air Museums in Britain. A small Victorian town has been created above 30.....

Benthall Hall, Shropshire

Benthall Hall (7 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction W)

This is a beautiful stone-built house of the 16th-century which is set on a rise above the wooded slopes of the meandering River.....

Wolverhampton - St Peter`s Gardens & Art Gallery

Wolverhampton Art Gallery (8 Pictures)

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SE)

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Priory ruins

Wenlock Priory (28 Pictures)

(11.5 miles, 18.6 km, direction SW)

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Ancient High House, Stafford

Ancient High House (1 Pictures)

(12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction NE)

Dominating Stafford's Greengate Street, is an impressive Elizabethan building that has stood at the centre of the town for over.....


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