The 1901 Ordnance Survey shows a timber yard with a sawmill just to the south of Lilyhurst Farm, which is set back from the east-west Lilyhurst Road along the southern edge of the land surrounding Lilleshall House. The estate road southwards between Shooting House Wood and Rough Park woodland to Big Wood Cottage and then on to the rest of Big Wood runs past the timber yard. However the description in the 1917 estate sale of properties shows it was far more than just a timber yard, with workshops for other trades and the estate-wide management offices.
The yard was Lot 266 in the 1917 sale: “The Estate Building Yard situate at Lillehurst in the Parish of Sheriffhales, and consisting of excellent range of buildings – brick and tiled – with an acre of storage land in connection therewith. The buildings comprise two first-class Surveyor’s and General Offices, large Saw Mill, Engine House, Milling Shed, Joiner’s Shop, Wheelwright’s Shop, Blacksmith’s Shop, Paint Shop, Plumber’s Shed, three Warehouses, Drying Sheds, Mess Room, Open Shedding – Brick-built with Galvanised Iron Roof – and Cellars. The Buildings are all soundly constructed and admirably adapted for the use of machinery for conversion of Timber from the rough for marketing purpose or for other factory use. Excellent water supply, both for development of steam power or for domestic purposes. The yard is centrally situated on the High Road about 3 1/2 miles from Shifnal, Donnington or Newport Stations. Excellent postal, telephonic and telegraphic accommodation in the vicinity. The whole of the fixtures, machinery, and shafting, in connection therewith are reserved from the Sale, and also the right is reserved to remove them.”
The timber yard was a separate lot from Lilyhurst Farm itself but today both the original yard builds and the some of the farm buildings are now the small Lilyhurst Industrial Estate.
Immediately to the south of the timber yard is still a pair of semidetached Duke of Sutherland cottages, which were sold as part of the farm: “Two Cottages – Brick-built and Tiled – with frontage to the Occupation Road leading to Big Wood, and containing Living Room, Kitchen, Pantry and three Bedrooms each.”
View Larger Map on Open Street Map