Stokesay Castle

Stokesay Castle is a castle in Shropshire, cared for by English Heritage. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Stokesay Castle

Stokesay Castle stands just south of Craven Arms in Shropshire, a fortified manor house begun around 1285.

It is widely considered the best-preserved medieval manor house in England, with its great hall, solar tower and curtain wall still largely intact.

A timber-framed gatehouse was added in the 1640s, giving the entrance a distinctly different character from the stone castle behind it.

English Heritage looks after the site today.

History of Stokesay Castle

The castle was built from around 1285 by Laurence of Ludlow, a wool merchant who had grown wealthy trading in Marches fleece. He received a licence to crenellate from Edward I in 1291. Ownership later passed to the Craven family. Because Stokesay saw almost no fighting and little later rebuilding, its medieval structure survived largely untouched into the modern era.

Architecture of Stokesay Castle

The great hall keeps its original 13th-century timber roof, and the south tower retains its early wooden staircase, both rare survivals for a building of this age. The gatehouse, added in the 1640s, is timber-framed and sits in visible contrast to the stone walls and tower it fronts.

Gardens & grounds at Stokesay Castle

A shallow moat and pond still surround part of the castle, though there are no formal gardens on site.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop Picnic area

Plan your visit to Stokesay Castle

Prices & opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Craven Arms Rail Station (0.9 miles)

Open daily; check official website for current opening times.

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Places to visit near Stokesay Castle

Acton Scott Hall

historic house 5.0 miles

Visit Acton Scott Hall View Acton Scott Hall on heritage map

Walcot Hall

historic house 5.8 miles

View Walcot Hall on heritage map

Ludlow Castle

historic house 6.3 miles

Visit Ludlow Castle View Ludlow Castle on heritage map

Wigmore Abbey

historic house 6.7 miles

Visit Wigmore Abbey View Wigmore Abbey on heritage map

Millichope Park

historic house 7.0 miles

Visit Millichope Park View Millichope Park on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 10 miles of Stokesay Castle there are 9 historic properties, including 5 historic houses, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

5 Historic Houses

2 English Heritage

1 Churches Conservation Trust

1 National Trust

5 Historic house

1 Historic building

1 Church

1 Castle

1 Manor house

See these 9 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Stokesay Castle there are 44 historic properties, including 13 historic buildings, 12 historic houses and 7 churchs, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and National Trust sites.

14 Historic Houses

13 English Heritage

8 National Trust

7 Churches Conservation Trust

2 Cadw

13 Historic building

12 Historic house

7 Church

6 Castle

2 Archaeological site

1 Museum

1 Chapel