Description:
The romantic landscape at Hawkstone was created in the 18th and early 19th centuries by the HilI family of Hawkstone Hall. Using the dramatic natural features of a red and white sandstone outcrop, with cliffs, gorges and pinnacles of rock surrounded by trees and parkland, a wonderful sequence of spectacular views and buildings was constructed . This park was one of the finest in Britain and attracted many visitors, led by a guide around a network of paths. When the estate was sold in the early 20th century the park land under the cliffs became a Golf-course and the wonders of the romantic landscape with its fine buildings and follies fell into disrepair and then dereliction. In 1986 a report was commissioned by the Countryside Commission and Shropshire County Council to study how Hawkstone might be rescued. In 1990 the hotel was bought by its present commercial yet philanthropic owners, prepared to spend millions of pounds in high quality restoration of the buildings and the landscape, as part of a wide-ranging project , which included a new golf centre and work to the hotel and golf courses.