7 Of The Most Amazing Castles In Shropshire
History buffs looking to explore centuries-old castles during their camping holiday in Shropshire have come to the right place: the county has a whopping 32 fortresses, including some dating as far back as the 11th century.
A couple of these castles have been restored to their original grandeur, while others are little more than hilltop ruins. However, they all evoke a time when local landowners had to protect the area against aggressive incursions from neighbouring Wales.
Of course, the Welsh felt just as strongly about defending their own borders, so they also erected a string of forbidding strongholds on their side of the border.
In the 21st century, it is visitors who stand to benefit from these medieval wars, with plenty to see in both Wales and England. Several Shropshire castles can also be reached by bike – an added bonus for those touring on two wheels.
So, without further ado, here are our top 7 castles in Shropshire.
Around Shrewsbury
Acton Burnell Castle
English Heritage-managed castle ruins with links to King Edward I
Tall trees frame the red sandstone ruins of this fortified manor house with a noble history. The castle was built in the 13th century by Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, not to mention a trusted friend of King Edward I, who was a frequent visitor here.
Burnell’s royal connections and wealth meant he had the best masons on the medieval equivalent of speed dial, and their work is evident in the elegant tracery of the Gothic windows. St. Mary’s Church next door, built in 1282, has similarly delicate architectural details.
After falling into disrepair, the castle was incorporated into the grounds of Acton Burnell Hall, a 19th-century country house nearby, and it came to be seen as something of a folly. Today, the site is managed by English Heritage, and access is free.
Shrewsbury Castle
Much-renovated 11th-century castle with river views
If Acton Burnell has whetted your appetite for red sandstone buildings with lancet windows, travel 11 miles north to Shrewsbury.
Here, on a peninsula formed by a loop in the River Severn, is a hilltop castle originally built by Roger de Montgomery, first Earl of Shrewsbury, in the 1070s and heavily reworked over successive centuries.
The castle now houses the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum’s collection of uniforms, medals and weaponry. Stroll through the landscaped gardens to find Laura’s Tower (an 18th-century addition), which has views over the river and the town’s eastern reaches, including Shrewsbury Abbey.
A walk across the centre leads to a 14th-century stone structure known as Town Walls Tower. Commissioned by Henry IV, this is the only remaining element of the fortifications that once protected the city from Welsh attacks.
Moreton Corbet Castle
Ruins of a 16th-century country house and a medieval castle
If you fancy cycling between a couple of Shropshire castles, a section of Route 45 of the National Cycle Network links Shrewsbury to the village of Moreton Corbet and the ruins of this property, which is also managed by English Heritage.
Fans of architecture and history of art will spot several centuries’ worth of construction styles here, from the remains of a medieval stone castle to the dilapidated Elizabethan manor house.
Wavy gables and decorative columns hint at the former elegance of this 16th-century building, which was heavily damaged during the English Civil War (1642–51) and subsequently abandoned.
Look for campsites around Shrewsbury.
Around Ludlow
Stokesay Castle
Well-preserved English Heritage property with countryside views
There’s something for the whole family at this 13th-century fortified manor house built by a wealthy wool merchant named Laurence of Ludlow.
Laurence liked to entertain, and he would throw elaborate dinner parties in the Great Hall. Not much has changed here since then (the vast hall still has its original timber ceiling), and it’s easy to imagine the minstrels playing in the gallery, the smell of the roasting meats and rivers of ale. Speaking of which, if you fancy a tipple, check out our list of the 10 best pubs in Shropshire.
There are far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside from the top of the tower, or you can help the kids look for the carved figure of the Stokesay Dragon in the wooden frame of the 17th-century half-timbered gatehouse.
Ludlow Castle
Medieval castle ruins on the River Teme
From Stokesay Castle, cyclists can join National Cycle Route 44 to reach the market town of Ludlow, known for its half-timbered buildings.
Here, high above the River Teme, are the vast ruins of Ludlow Castle. Built after the 1066 invasion as a Norman fortress, it became an administrative hub for the Crown in the 15th and 16th centuries, before being abandoned in the wake of the English Civil War.
Today, the castle grounds are the setting for events like the atmospheric Medieval Christmas Fayre, with jesters and other costumed participants, and Ludlow Food Festival, with stalls by the area’s independent producers, as well as tastings and demonstrations.
The Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), are within easy reach of Ludlow, which makes the town a good base for ramblers. Lace up your boots and see our favourite 8 walks in the Shropshire Hills for inspiration.
Book campsite accommodation around Ludlow.
Clun Castle
Riverside castle ruins near the Welsh border
This castle stands on a hill overlooking the river Clun. It was first built by the Normans in the 11th century and grew into a thriving settlement despite having to fight off several Welsh attacks over the years.
However, repeated incursions from across the border eventually proved too much, and by the mid-1500s the stronghold was in ruins.
Explore the area via the wooden walkways that weave through the imposing stone walls, or have a picnic while gazing at the expansive hilly landscape, perhaps imagining yourself as a medieval guard standing watch for potential raids from across the border.
Click here for campsites in the vicinity of Clun Castle.
Whittington Castle, Oswestry
Medieval castle with reenactments and ghost vigils
Are you ready to get spooked? This medieval fortress with two gatehouse towers is reputed to be haunted, and it runs late-night vigils for ghost hunters.
If you’d rather visit in the daytime, you’ll see a moat with swans and ducks, as well as an earthen mound thought to have been an observation area for admiring a medieval garden.
Whittington Castle is known for its lively programme of events, which includes vintage car shows, theatre performances and historical reenactments.
Look for campsites in the Oswestry area.
Are you all walked (or pedalled) out after traipsing across the Shropshire Hills, looking for medieval castles? Are you a peace-loving visitor who’s had their fill of ‘border wars’ talk? Click here to find more things to do in Shropshire.