Trinity Farm Viewpoint

  • Ogston Hall and Ford House

Ogston Hall

To the East from this wonderful viewpoint you can see the southern end of Ogston Reservoir. Hidden in the trees to the far side of the reservoir, you may be able to glimpse the clock tower of Ogston Hall. This secluded mansion has origins stretching back to Saxon times and has only changed hands twice in a thousand years, other than through marriage. The Turbutts inherited Ogston Hall from the Revells around 1700 and it remained in their family until it was purchased by the Wakefields in 1973.

It is hard to picture the valley now without the reservoir, yet this was only constructed in 1958. This photo shows Ogston Hall on the left and Georgian Ford House, home of John Holland, a silk and cotton manufacturer who was a keen amateur painter and also friend, patron and executor of famous artist Joseph Wright of Derby (1734 – 1797). Sadly, unlike Ogston Hall, this beautiful home was demolished to make way for the reservoir works and cottages.

Crich Stand

Look to the West from a few metres back down the path and you can just see Crich Memorial on the horizon. This tower was built in memory of the Sherwood Foresters who lost their lives over the years.  It included a 750,000 candle-power beacon; a revolving searchlight with a luminous range of 38 miles. The power has more recently been reduced. It is said that the light was to guide the souls of the departed back home. The historic site on Crich Hill is reputed to be the site of a Beacon Fire which signalled the sighting of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The long and fascinating history of this site is documented on  http://www.crich-memorial.org.uk/history.html

How far can you see?

Looking south some 50 miles distant on a clear day, you can just make out Bradgate Park’s “Old John”, a tower built on the highest hill in Leicestershire in 1784 for the 5th Earl of Stamford. The tower at 690 feet above sea level, is one of the most famous landmarks in Leicestershire and  looks down on the ruins of Bradgate House, a tudor mansion and birthplace of nine-day queen,  Lady Jane Grey. The site has formed part of the chain of beacons lit for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. David Attenborough has been a life-long visitor to the park which was formed by a nearby volcano and has the UK’s oldest fossils. He opened the new visitor centre in 2016; well worth a visit.

Where next?

Go through the wooden gate and follow the footpath through the woodland until you reach a stone wall. Take the steps over the wall onto the lane. Turn right and then continue round to the left, taking the left fork in the road. Walk past Highoredish Farm and keep going until you reach the entrance to Highoredish Car Park. Enter the car park and you will see a bench at the view point. QR plaque 4 is on the footpath signpost at the top of the steps.