Staffordshire's lost country houses valued at £45m in annual heritage loss
Drayton Manor exemplifies impact on jobs and local history
Family Tree analysis has suggested that Staffordshire's lost country houses represent about £44.9 million annually in vanished heritage value.
The study identified at least 50 lost houses in Staffordshire, including those demolished or ruined, with Drayton Manor near Tamworth as a key example.
Originally linked to the Peel family, Drayton Manor was demolished in the late 1920s, with the location now associated with the modern Drayton Manor Resort.
Helen Tovey, Editor of Family Tree, emphasised the significance beyond architecture, stating: "These houses were not just grand homes. They shaped roads, parks, farms, trades, housing, family memories and local identity."
According to country house historian Matthew Beckett, more than 3,000 country houses have been lost across the UK, with 2,000 in England alone.
Historic England records that 1,450 independently owned historic houses contribute £1.3 billion annually to the UK economy, supporting over 32,500 jobs and hosting numerous events.
Using this as a benchmark, Staffordshire's lost houses potentially represent a yearly heritage-economy value of £44.9 million.
While the estimate is illustrative, it highlights the possible economic and historical impact that disappeared with these buildings.
Family Tree Live, a family history event, will be held on 22nd and 23rd May 2027 at Statfold Country Park, near Tamworth, West Midlands.