Stokesay Castle |
Stokesay Castle
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 Stokesay Castles Timber framed Gatehouse |
 Stokesay Castle |
Stokesay Castle, near Craven Arms, nestles in peaceful South Shropshire countryside near the Welsh Border. It is one of more than a dozen English Heritage properties in the county.
You may ask "How has this medieval fortified manor house survived so completely intact, changing so little in 7 centuries, and somehow managing to defy both time and enemies?"
The answer is "because people loved it so much that they always gave in before the final assault." Which may or may not be true. There's even a copy, in the USA, built by a lovelorn husband.
Stokesay Castle is not really a castle at all, it is the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England dating back to 1281.
The castle has two towers joined by a buttressed Great Banquetting Hall, with long, gothic, gabled windows. Massive roof timbers, made from whole trees dominate the Great Hall, standing alonside an elaboratively decorated Flemish overmantal, brought from Flanders by the Baldwyn family and fitted over a medieval fireplace.
Stokesay Castle began its life as a stark Norman stronghold, but was transformed sometime between 1285 and 1305 into a grand manor house. The Elizabethans added the timber-framed jacobean gatehouse in the 17th Century. The ornate carved timbers over the gatehouse entrance, depict Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
An inclusive audio-tour is available and will help you to imagine Stokesays medieval splendour.
The grounds include a gift shop and gardens.
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