Stokesay Castle, tucked away in the scenic Shropshire countryside, is the most complete and best-preserved medieval fortified manor house in England. Built in the late 13th century by a wealthy wool merchant, it offers a window into life at the end of the Middle Ages.
The site showcases the transition from military fortress to domestic home, featuring a grandiose 13th-century great hall, two imposing stone towers, and a charmingly intricate 17th-century timber-framed gatehouse. Unlike true castles, the focus here is on comfort and status. This guide provides current admission details, opening hours, and essential visitor tips for exploring the preserved history of Stokesay Castle.
Practical visitor information: Stokesay Castle hours and admission
Admission to Stokesay Castle is managed by English Heritage. Visitors are strongly advised to check the current seasonal schedule, as opening days and times often change outside of peak summer.
Admission fees for Stokesay Castle (2025/2026 season)
Prices fluctuate seasonally – you’ll pay more in summer – but there’s 15% off for advance online purchases. English Heritage members and children under 5 are admitted free of charge.
- Saver Adult (Advance online): From £9.00
- Standard Adult (At the gate): From £10.90
- Child (5-17 years): From £5.40
- Family tickets: Available at discounted rates for groups.
Opening times for Stokesay Castle
The castle operates a seasonal opening schedule. Always confirm directly with English Heritage for the day of your visit.
- Summer season (Approx. late March to late October): Open daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Winter season (Approx. November to late March): Reduced days, typically open weekends and school holidays, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
- Last admission: Usually one hour before closing time.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Architecture and history of Stokesay Castle
The castle’s unique mix of military defence and domestic luxury is a direct reflection of its patron and the relatively peaceful era in which it was built.
The merchant who built Stokesay Castle
The castle was built around the 1280s by Laurence of Ludlow, an enormously wealthy wool merchant in the Welsh Marches. Laurence gained a licence to crenellate (fortify) the property in 1291, solidifying his status. The castle was intended to be both a secure private residence and a symbol of his power and prosperity, rather than a military stronghold.
The great hall and solar
The heart of the castle is the Great Hall, which remains virtually unchanged for over 700 years. It features a spectacular timber roof and large, shuttered windows that allowed light to flood in — a sign of confidence and comfort. The Solar, or private apartment block, includes a beautifully carved 17th-century overmantel, showcasing the property’s later refinement.
The iconic timber-framed gatehouse
The most picturesque feature of Stokesay Castle is the elaborate, half-timbered gatehouse, built around 1640. This ornamental entrance features intricate carvings, including figures of Adam and Eve and an angel. The gatehouse serves as a beautiful contrast to the severe 13th-century stone towers it frames.
Exploring the castle towers and grounds
A visit to Stokesay Castle includes exploring the two main stone towers, the central courtyard, and the surrounding grounds.
The north and south towers
The two towers were designed to provide strong points for the building. The tall, cylindrical South Tower is the most defensible part of the structure, featuring a steep spiral staircase that leads to the top, offering stunning views of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The moat walk and walled garden
The castle is surrounded by a preserved, though dry, moat. Visitors can follow the Moat Walk around the perimeter. Inside the courtyard, a small, beautifully maintained walled cottage garden adds a touch of Edwardian charm, creating a quiet space for reflection.
Accessibility guide for Stokesay Castle
Due to the medieval nature of the structure, access within Stokesay Castle is limited for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Visitors with limited mobility should anticipate challenges.
Mobility access inside the castle
The site has many original features, including uneven stone slabs, steep, narrow spiral staircases in the towers, and shallow steps between rooms. There are no ramps or lifts inside the historic buildings.
- Courtyard: The central courtyard is accessible, though the surface consists of stone slabs and gravel. Access is via two steps through the main gate.
- Ground floor: The Great Hall floor is uneven. Access to the towers and the Solar requires climbing multiple steps or steep stairs.
- Manual wheelchairs: Manual wheelchair users are advised to bring an assistant and may need to briefly leave the wheelchair to navigate certain areas.
Facilities and audio tours
An audio tour is included with admission, which offers a detailed historical narrative of Stokesay Castle, including information for areas that are physically inaccessible. Accessible toilets are available in the visitor centre.
Nearby attractions to Stokesay Castle
The castle’s position in the heart of the Shropshire Hills makes it an ideal base for exploring a wealth of history and countryside attractions.
- Ludlow Castle: Located just a few miles north in the historic market town of Ludlow. This major ruinous medieval castle and royal residence is one of the most significant castles on the Welsh Marches.
- Ludlow town: Ludlow itself is famous for its independent shops, Michelin-starred restaurants and historic timber-framed buildings.
- Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre: Located nearby in Craven Arms, this centre is an excellent place to learn about the landscape, geology, and history of the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
- Stokesay Court: A magnificent Victorian mansion nearby, famous as a filming location for the movie *Atonement*, which is open for tours on specific days.
- Acton Scott Historic Working Farm: One of the country’s leading Victorian historic working farms, which continues to work the land using traditional methods.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Review of the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.
- Guide to parking at Cadbury World in Birmingham.
- Practical tips for visiting Kenilworth Castle.
- A practical guide to visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old.
