Tong in Shropshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Story of Tong

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 19, 2026

1. The Story of Tong Marker

Inscription.
Tong College
The College stood to the south of the church in the field in front of you just beyond the churchyard fence. Construction began at the same time as the church in 1410. The College was a substantial square building constructed around a quadrangle. It was occupied by five priests and a warden. Their responsibilities included regular daily celebrations of Mass in the church chancel praying for the souls of the dead in purgatory. They were also required to provide schooling for the local community and to look after 13 elderly and sick persons living in the adjacent Infirmary. The ruins of the Infirmary can still be seen to the west of the church.

The College was dissolved by sequestration in 1545 under Henry VIII's Act of Dissolution. The buildings remained in ruins until they were demolished in the late 1700s. It is probable that the stone was used to construct the boundary walls on the north side of the church.

Tong Castle
Over the centuries the Castle was owned by many families of great wealth and influence who contributed to the 'Story of Tong'. The building stood on high ground to the south west of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the church; ahead of you as you read this, slightly to the right beyond the trees. Much of the site is now part of the M54 motorway.

In mediaeval times it was a moated fortress. Part of the moat can still be seen and is used by fishermen. The castle was substantially rebuilt by Sir Henry Vernon at the end of the 15th century. Further rebuilding was undertaken by George Durant, after he had purchased the estate in 1764. Capability Brown prepared drawings for the house and the lake.

After a succession of owners and tenants, the castle had become uninhabitable by the early 20th century, by which time it belonged to the Bradford Estate. The empty building became unsafe and was demolished by the army in 1954.

Erected by The Arts Society Wrekin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 52° 39.824′ N, 2° 18.199′ W. Marker is in Tong, England, in Shropshire. It is on Newport Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Newport Road, Tong, England TF11 8PW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

The Infirmary Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 19, 2026

2. The Infirmary Ruins

this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also on the British Marches.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St Bartholomew's Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Albrighton, home of the English Rose (within shouting distance of this marker); College Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Infirmary Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Albrighton, home of the English Rose (approx. 3.3 kilometers away).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.