Stokesay Castle
Shropshire, England
Photo: Tony Grist, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0 · DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Craven Arms, 0.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Finest surviving fortified manor house
Pinpoint
Ludlow Rd, Craven Arms SY7 9AH
Telephone 01588 672544
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (last entry at 4.30pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- Dog-friendly tearoom serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, toasted ciabattas and ice creams; outdoor play area.
- Dogs
- Dogs welcome, including treats at the tearoom.
Widely regarded as the finest surviving fortified manor house in England, built in the late 13th century for the wool merchant Laurence of Ludlow rather than for a noble family. The roofs survive even where the ceilings and plasterwork don't, so there's real fabric to walk through rather than just foundations.
At a glance
Who to know
Laurence of Ludlow · the wool merchant it was built for
Worth the trip
The audio guide, which reviewers single out for bringing in the voices of past residents rather than just narrating dates and dimensions.
Before you go
The adjoining church, rebuilt during the Puritan era, is a rare survival worth the extra few minutes; if you're into wildlife, reviewers note the nesting birds around the site are remarkably unbothered by visitors.
What visitors say
Stokesay Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 2,486 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently recommend the free audio guide as key to appreciating this well-preserved medieval fortified manor house, and the on-site tearoom and family-friendly touches are also praised.
Combined entry and parking costs (around £14 plus £4 as of 2026) are noted as a practical consideration.
“Lovely, the audio guide was brilliant and for wildlife and avian enthusiasts, there's loads of nesting species there who are quite unperturbed by people. Lovely cafe and a nice play area for children too”- Sophie RM, visitor review
Within reach of Birmingham (40 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
Completed in the early 1290s by a wealthy wool merchant, the castle was designed more for comfortable living than military defence. Its design is so complete and well-preserved that it remains one of England's finest examples of medieval domestic architecture, with most of the original fabric intact.
Drawn from English Heritage's own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is also a nice tearoom by the carpark with cakes, sandwiches and soup.” - Scary Mary
- Guided tours
- “Lovely, the audio guide was brilliant and for wildlife and avian enthusiasts, there's loads of nesting species there who are quite unperturbed by people.” - Sophie RM
- Facilities
- “Lovely cafe and a nice play area for children too” - Sophie RM
Common questions about Stokesay Castle
Where is Stokesay Castle?
Stokesay Castle is in Shropshire, England, at Ludlow Rd, Craven Arms SY7 9AH.
Do you need a ticket to visit Stokesay Castle?
Yes - Stokesay Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Stokesay Castle?
The audio guide, which reviewers single out for bringing in the voices of past residents rather than just narrating dates and dimensions.
Is Stokesay Castle a ruin or still intact?
Stokesay Castle is largely intact - Finest surviving fortified manor house.
