English Heritage

English Heritage

Witley Court - Great Whitley

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16927

A hundred years ago, Witley Court was one of England's great country houses, hosting many extravagant parties. Today it is a spectacular ruin, the result of a disastrous fire in 1937. Restoration work to the West Wing has made several new rooms accessible to the public.

The vast and rambling remains of the palatial 19th-century mansion are surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens - the 'Monster Work' of William Nesfield - which still contain huge stone fountains. The largest, representing Perseus and Andromeda, which has been restored, was described as making the 'noise of an express train' when fired.

Witley Court - Great Whitley

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16927

A hundred years ago, Witley Court was one of England's great country houses, hosting many extravagant parties. Today it is a spectacular ruin, the result of a disastrous fire in 1937. Restoration work to the West Wing has made several new rooms accessible to the public.

The vast and rambling remains of the palatial 19th-century mansion are surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens - the 'Monster Work' of William Nesfield - which still contain huge stone fountains. The largest, representing Perseus and Andromeda, which has been restored, was described as making the 'noise of an express train' when fired.

Wigmore Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16623

Wigmore Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16623

Buildwas Abbey - Ironbridge

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16663

Buildwas Abbey - Ironbridge

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16663

Stokesay Castle - Craven Arms

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16793

Stokesay Castle 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.

Stokesay Castle - Craven Arms

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16793

Stokesay Castle 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.

Acton Burnell Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16637

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

Acton Burnell Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16637

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

Ironbridge - Shropshire

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Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16715

The world's first iron bridge was erected over the River Severn here in 1779. Designed by the Shrewsbury architect Thomas Pritchard, it was cast by local ironmaster Abraham Darby III in his nearby Coalbrookdale foundry, using 378 tons of iron. Recent research shows that most parts were individually made to fit, adapting traditional woodworking joints. Perhaps Britain's best-known industrial monument, the bridge gave its name to the spectacular wooded gorge which became the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Ironbridge Gorge is now a World Heritage Site.

The Iron Bridge is the perfect place to begin a tour of the Gorge's many museums, and the many other English Heritage sites nearby, including Buildwas Abbey,Wenlock Priory and Wroxeter Roman City.

Ironbridge - Shropshire

TF3 4NN

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16715

The world's first iron bridge was erected over the River Severn here in 1779. Designed by the Shrewsbury architect Thomas Pritchard, it was cast by local ironmaster Abraham Darby III in his nearby Coalbrookdale foundry, using 378 tons of iron. Recent research shows that most parts were individually made to fit, adapting traditional woodworking joints. Perhaps Britain's best-known industrial monument, the bridge gave its name to the spectacular wooded gorge which became the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Ironbridge Gorge is now a World Heritage Site.

The Iron Bridge is the perfect place to begin a tour of the Gorge's many museums, and the many other English Heritage sites nearby, including Buildwas Abbey,Wenlock Priory and Wroxeter Roman City.

Clun Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16689

The dramatic riverside ruins and extensive earthworks of a Welsh Border castle, its tall 13th-century keep unusually set on the side of its mound. Information panels tell the story of the castle and the nearby town.

Opening Times:   All year.   Any reasonable time.  Every Day

Clun Castle

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16689

The dramatic riverside ruins and extensive earthworks of a Welsh Border castle, its tall 13th-century keep unusually set on the side of its mound. Information panels tell the story of the castle and the nearby town.

Opening Times:   All year.   Any reasonable time.  Every Day

Langley Chapel - Acton Burnell

A small chapel tranquilly set all alone in charming countryside. Its atmospheric interior contains a perfect set of 17th-century timber furnishings, including a musicians' pew.

Langley Chapel - Acton Burnell

A small chapel tranquilly set all alone in charming countryside. Its atmospheric interior contains a perfect set of 17th-century timber furnishings, including a musicians' pew.

Leigh Court Barn - Nr. Worcester

An outstanding display of English medieval carpentry, this mighty timber-framed barn is the largest cruck structure in Britain. Built for Pershore Abbey in 1344, it is 46 metres (150 feet) long, with 18 cruck blades each made from a single oak tree.

Leigh Court Barn - Nr. Worcester

An outstanding display of English medieval carpentry, this mighty timber-framed barn is the largest cruck structure in Britain. Built for Pershore Abbey in 1344, it is 46 metres (150 feet) long, with 18 cruck blades each made from a single oak tree.

Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle

A Bronze Age stone circle, the focus of many legends, set in dramatic moorland on Stapeley Hill. It once consisted of some 30 stones, 15 of which are still visible

Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle

A Bronze Age stone circle, the focus of many legends, set in dramatic moorland on Stapeley Hill. It once consisted of some 30 stones, 15 of which are still visible

Mortimers Cross Water Mill

18th Century Watermill - Nr. Leominster

A rare one-man-operated 18th-century water mill in part working order. Nearby there are attractive gardens and woodland walks, a stone weir and the significant Aymestrey Limestone Quarry. Special day and evening guided tours for groups are available by arrangement with the owner. Please call for details.

Opening Times:  1 Apr-30 Sep   10am-4pm.  Sun, & Bank Holidays

                           Other times by arrangement 

                           Access to the mill is by guided tour only    11am, 1pm & 3pm

Mortimers Cross Water Mill

18th Century Watermill - Nr. Leominster

A rare one-man-operated 18th-century water mill in part working order. Nearby there are attractive gardens and woodland walks, a stone weir and the significant Aymestrey Limestone Quarry. Special day and evening guided tours for groups are available by arrangement with the owner. Please call for details.

Opening Times:  1 Apr-30 Sep   10am-4pm.  Sun, & Bank Holidays

                           Other times by arrangement 

                           Access to the mill is by guided tour only    11am, 1pm & 3pm

Wenlock Abbey

Medieval Priory - Much Wenlock

The tranquil ruins of medieval Wenlock Priory stand in a garden setting on the fringe of beautiful Much Wenlock. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded here in about 680 by King Merewalh of Mercia,whose abbess daughter Milburge was hailed as a saint. Her relics were miraculously rediscovered here in 1101, attracting both pilgrims and prosperity to the priory.

By then Wenlock had been re- founded by the Normans as a priory of Cluniac monks. It is the impressive remains of this medieval priory which survive today, everywhere reflecting the renowned Cluniac love of elaborate decoration. Parts of the great 13th-century church, once among the finest in England, still stand high; and in the adjoining cloister garth is a most unusual 'lavabo,' or monks' washing fountain, embellished with 12th-century carvings. Once enclosed in an octagonal building, 16 monks could wash here at once before eating in the nearby refectory.

But perhaps the greatest glory of Cluniac Wenlock is the extravagantly decorated chapter house, dating from about 1140. Entered through a three-arched doorway, its walls are bedecked with decorative blind arcading on multiple carved columns. This is a further fine example of the Anglo-Norman architecture at Wenlock Priory.

All of this is set against a backdrop of the complete infirmary wing, converted into a mansion after the priory's dissolution in 1540 and still a private residence, while the beauty of the ruins is enhanced by the famous topiary-filled cloister garden.

    1-30 Apr               10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
    1 May-31 Aug       10am-5pm    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    1 Sep-1 Nov          10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    2 Nov-28 Feb        10am-4pm    Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    1-31 Mar              10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
    24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

Wenlock Abbey

Medieval Priory - Much Wenlock

The tranquil ruins of medieval Wenlock Priory stand in a garden setting on the fringe of beautiful Much Wenlock. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded here in about 680 by King Merewalh of Mercia,whose abbess daughter Milburge was hailed as a saint. Her relics were miraculously rediscovered here in 1101, attracting both pilgrims and prosperity to the priory.

By then Wenlock had been re- founded by the Normans as a priory of Cluniac monks. It is the impressive remains of this medieval priory which survive today, everywhere reflecting the renowned Cluniac love of elaborate decoration. Parts of the great 13th-century church, once among the finest in England, still stand high; and in the adjoining cloister garth is a most unusual 'lavabo,' or monks' washing fountain, embellished with 12th-century carvings. Once enclosed in an octagonal building, 16 monks could wash here at once before eating in the nearby refectory.

But perhaps the greatest glory of Cluniac Wenlock is the extravagantly decorated chapter house, dating from about 1140. Entered through a three-arched doorway, its walls are bedecked with decorative blind arcading on multiple carved columns. This is a further fine example of the Anglo-Norman architecture at Wenlock Priory.

All of this is set against a backdrop of the complete infirmary wing, converted into a mansion after the priory's dissolution in 1540 and still a private residence, while the beauty of the ruins is enhanced by the famous topiary-filled cloister garden.

    1-30 Apr               10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
    1 May-31 Aug       10am-5pm    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    1 Sep-1 Nov          10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    2 Nov-28 Feb        10am-4pm    Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
    1-31 Mar              10am-5pm    Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
    24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed