Name: Stokesay Castle
Rating: 5.0

Stokesay Castle

Stokesay, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9AH, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Stokesay’s moated manor house, timber-framed gatehouse and parish church are a glorious collection of treasures bypassed by time. Though ‘builded like a castle’, Stokesay was really a lightly defended mansion. Tree-ring dating proves that work was completed by 1291, and Stokesay has changed very little since.

There’s an absorbing audio tour, and families can follow an intriguing puzzle quest inspired by legendary local giants. Just outside the castle, the dog-friendly cottage tearoom is open to all. It has an outdoor play space and outdoor seating with views of the Welsh Border hills.

Price starts from £10.00 for Adults, £6.00 for Children(5-17 years) and £16.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Things To See and Do: Here you’ll find more details on the different things to see and do at Stokesay Castle, including information about the free audio tour; the family trail; which towers you can climb; the solar; the gatehouse; the moat walk; and what you can find in the ever-important tearoom and giftshop!
Immerse yourself in the Stokesay story: Pick up our free audio tour and imagine Stokesay in its heyday, as a bustling centre of medieval life. Young visitors can also enjoy our new family trail, based on the local legend that the hills either side of Stokesay Castle are giants who've lost the keys to their treasure chest. Can you find the lost key?
The Great Hall: Step back in time in Stokesay's great hall, unchanged for more than 700 years. The fine timber roof and staircase, with treads cut from whole tree trunks, all show the same carpenters' mark from 1291. Gaze through the huge shuttered gable windows which let light flood in and frame stunning views of the Shropshire countryside.
Climb the North Tower: Climb an original 13th-century staircase to the three-storey north tower. The original medieval tiled floor and remains of a wall painting inside provide a glimpse into Stokesay's past life as a home.
Inside the solar: Inside the solar, or private apartment block at Stokesay Castle, you can find a beautifully ornate overmantel carved with fruit, flowers and figures. Once brightly coloured this magnificent overmantel still has traces of the original red, green and gold paint.
Admire the South Tower: Stokesay's tall south tower is the most castle-like part of the site, self-contained and reached by a defensible stairway. The shape of the tower, a lobed octagon, is cunningly designed so that from the outside it looks like a fortified gatehouse.
The Gatehouse: As you walk through the 17th-century, timber-framed gatehouse into Stokesay, take a moment to admire the beautifully ornate carvings in its frame. Look closely and see if you can spot Adam and Eve, an angel, and the Stokesay Dragon.
Walled Garden and Moat Walk: Visit the beautiful walled garden at Stokesay Castle, planted in a cottage style and designed to enhance the Edwardian feel of the space.
Eating and shopping at Stokesay Castle: With idyllic views of the Shropshire Hills, Stokesay Castle’s dog-friendly tearoom offers a range of different things to eat and drink.
Discover magical creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends.
Gardens: Inside the courtyard is a beautifully maintained cottage garden, with a planting scheme that changes with the seasons. There is also a moat walk.

Facilities

Parking: In grass field 300m from entrance. Free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.
Food And Drink: The Stokesay Castle tearoom has picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. The menu includes hot and cold sandwiches, light bites, homemade scones, cakes and children's meals.
Toilets: Separate male and female toilets. Baby-changing facilities are located in the disabled toilet.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds (dog bowl/toileting available). With the exception of guide and hearing dogs, dogs are not allowed inside the castle.

What to see

Events:

Stokesay revealed - The story of Laurence of Ludlow and his castle: Date: Mon 17 Nov 2025. Time: 11am - 12pm. Location: Stokesay Castle. Join English Heritage historian Will Wyeth at Stokesay Castle for a guided tour exploring the life of Laurence of Ludlow, the castle’s rich history, and its updated interpretation scheme.

For more upcoming events information please visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stokesay-castle/events/

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £10.00 with donation & £9.00 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £6.00 with donation & £5.40 without donation.
Concession: £9.00 with donation & £8.10 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £26.00 with donation & £23.40 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £16.00 with donation & £14.40 without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £12.00 with donation & £10.90 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £7.50 with donation & £6.80 without donation.
Concession: £11.00 with donation & £10.00 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £31.50 with donation & £28.60 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £19.50 with donation & £17.70 without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stokesay-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3.30pm)

Address: Stokesay, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9AH, UK

Post Code: SY7 9AH

Council: Shropshire

County: Shropshire

Road Access: Plan your route to Stokesay Castle using what3words.com/height.brothers.staining. Stokesay Castle is 7 miles north-west of Ludlow and 1 ½ miles south of Craven Arms, signposted from the A49.
Bus Access: Minsterley Motors (of Stiperstones) 435 to Stokesay turning on the A49. Castle entrance is around 400 metres from main road.
Train Access: Craven Arms 1 mile.
Bicycle Access: Plan your cycling route to Stokesay Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Parking: In grass field 300m from entrance. Free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Non-members must pay.