Stokesay Castle

History

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

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

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