English Heritage

National Trust

Acton Burnell Castle - English Heritage.The red sandstone shell of a semi-fortified tower house, built in 1284-93 by Bishop Burnell, Edwards I's Lord Chancellor. Parliaments were twice held here, in 1283 and 1285

Bridgnorth Castle

Chirk Castle - National Trust. Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches.The last Edward I Welsh castle still lived in today.

700 years of history on one site. Award-winning gardens with thatched 'Hawk House', shrub garden, lime tree avenue and yew topiary. Circular woodland walk through the medieval hunting park

Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5AF

Tel: 01691 777701

Clun Castle is a ruined castle in the small town of Clun, Shropshire  It is owned by the Duke of Norfolk (who also holds the title of Baron Clun) and is managed by English Heritage.  Clun castle was built in the motte and bailey style around the 1100’s by the Norman, Robert de Say

Ludlow was described by John Betjeman as the loveliest town in England.

Ludlow Castle the finest of medieval ruined castles, set in glorious Shropshire countryside, at the heart of this superb, bustling black & white market town. The Castle, firstly a Norman Fortress and extended over the centuries to become a fortified Royal Palace, has ensured Ludlow's place in English history - originally built to hold back unconquered Welsh, passing through generations of the de Lacy and Mortimer families to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. It became Crown property in 1461 and remained a royal castle for the next 350 years, during which time the Council of the Marches was formed with responsibility for the Government of Wales and the border counties. Abandoned in 1689 the castle quickly fell into ruin, described as 'the very perfection of decay' by Daniel Defoe

Moreton Corbet Castle - English Heritage. The ruins of the medieval castle and Tudor manor house of the Corbets are dominated by the theatrical shell of an ambitious Elizabethan mansion wing in Italianate style, which was devastated during the Civil War. Fine Corbet monuments fill the adjacent church.

Powis Castle & Garden (Powys ) - National Trust

Medieval castle rising dramatically above the celebrated garden. Built by Welsh princes and now home to the Earls of Powis. World famous garden with Italianate terraces. One of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. Beautiful collection of treasures from India displayed in the Clive Museum.

Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RF

Tel: 01938 551929

Shrewsbury Castle The oldest parts of the Castle were built between 1066 and 1074, during the reign of William the Conqueror. There were additions over several centuries. Later, in the late 18th century, Thomas Telford remodelled the interior as a private house. The Castle was acquired by the Corporation of Shrewsbury in 1924 through the generosity of Shropshire Horticultural Society. The Castle houses the spectacular collections of the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust including pictures, uniforms, medals, weapons and other equipment from the 18th Century to the present day.

Stokesay Castle - English Heritage - is the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England. It offers visitors a unique glimpse into a distant age, when strength and elegance were combined. Set amid peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, Stokesay Castle forms an outstandingly picturesque group with its timber-framed gatehouse and the parish church. Lawrence of Ludlow, who made his fortune as a wool merchant and set up as a country gentleman, acquired the manor in 1281. Extensive recent tree-ring dating confirms that he had completed virtually the whole of the still-surviving buildings by 1291, the date of his ‘licence to crenellate’ from Edward I. An audio tour will help you to imagine Stokesay as the centre of medieval life. Its grounds include cottage-style gardens, a tearoom open from April to October, and a gift shop

Whittington Castle is very picturesque, & situated in the heart of Whittington village. There are not many remains to Whittington Castle but the gatehouse towers are still standing near the clear water of the moat. Whittington Castle looks lovely when floodlit with the light reflected in the water of the moat.

Other:

Buildwas Abbey  - English Heritage - Impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey, including its unusually unaltered 12th-century church, beautiful vaulted and tile-floored chapter house, and recently re-opened crypt chapel. In a wooded Severn-side setting, not far from the Iron Bridge and Wenlock Priory.

Burford House Gardens  Uniquely situated where three counties meet, the 7 acres of lawn and stunning borders of Burford House Gardens sweep along the banks of the picturesque River Teme.

Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron Explore the site and the remains of the water powered blast furnace where Abraham Darby I perfected the smelting of iron with coke instead of charcoal. It was the secret that helped make iron the essential material of the Industrial Revolution.

Daniels Mill, Eardington, Bridgnorth
Picturesque working water mill with 38ft cast iron waterwheel producing wholemeal flour traditionally. Family owned for 200 years. Guided tours for all visitors
Tel: 01746 762753

Erddig Hall - National Trust - Wrexham LL13 0YT
A unique insight into servants' life in the 18th and 19th century.  A completely furnished 18th-century large country house. One of the last surviving 18th-century gardens with a large walled garden and Victorian parterre. Extensive designed parkland and 13 miles of footpaths. Authentic demonstrations of restored historic machines.  Horse-drawn carriage rides around the estate
Telephone: 01978 355314

Hack Green one of the nations most secret defence sites. Hack Green has played a central role in the defence of Britain for almost sixty years. As you approach Hack Green over the picturesque farmland and rolling Cheshire countryside, it's hard to imagine a more peaceful location, but it was not always like this!

Haughmond Abbey - English Heritage -  The extensive remains of an Augustinian abbey, including its abbots’ quarters, refectory and cloister. The substantially surviving chapter house has a frontage richly bedecked with 12th- and 14th-century carving and statuary, and a fine timber roof of c. 1500. New pictorial interpretation boards guide the visitor, and an introductory exhibition displays archaeological finds. Picnic area and light refreshments available. Haughmond Abbey Located 3 miles NE of Shrewsbury off B5062

Iron Bridge The world's first cast iron bridge was built over the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in 1779. Not only iron founders and industrial spies flocked to see this wondrous bridge, but also artists and travellers. The Bridge had a far reaching impact: on local society and the economy, on bridge design and on the use of cast iron in building. An icon of the Industrial Revolution the Iron Bridge crosses the River Severn at the Ironbridge Gorge, by the village of Ironbridge. It was the first bridge of its size to be made out of cast iron. The bridge was opened on New Year's Day 1781.
The area is described as the ‘Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution’ because it is near the place where Abraham Darby I perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, making a much cheaper production of iron.

Shrewsbury.  The county town of Shropshire first mentioned in a charter of 901. Shrewsbury is a pretty historic town with over 660 listed buildings including a Norman Abbey dating back to 1083, a medieval castle,  museum and art gallery, St Chad's Church.  Charles Darwin was born and educated in Shrewsbury. 

Close by you can see Attingham Park an elegant 18th-century mansion and the Roman Vineyard at Wroxeter  and the Wroxeter Roman City   Shrewsbury is home to a number of events and Festivals including its famous Flower Show held annually in August.

Wroxeter (or ‘Viroconium’ ) English Heritage - was the fourth largest city in Roman Britain. It began as a legionary fortress and later developed into a thriving civilian city, populated by retired soldiers and traders. Though much still remains below ground, today the most impressive features are the 2nd century municipal baths, and the remains of the huge wall dividing them from the exercise hall in the heart of the city.
The site museum and audio tour reveal how Wroxeter worked in its heyday, and the health and beauty practices of its 5,000 citizens. Dramatic archaeological discoveries provide a glimpse of the last years of the Roman city, and its possible conversion into the headquarters of a 5th-century British or Irish warlord. Located at Wroxeter, 5 miles E of Shrewsbury on B4380.

Wenlock Priory - English Heritage -  Picturesque ruins of a large priory of Cluniac monks, whose love of decoration is reflected in the glorious carving of its 12th-century chapter house and rare ‘lavabo’ – a tiered washing fountain in a topiary-bedecked cloister garden.
Parts of the great church also stand, against the backdrop of the full-height infirmary wing. Set on the fringe of beautiful Much Wenlock, not far from Buildwas Abbey and the Iron Bridge.

English Heritage

National Trust