Whittington Castle

Set in 12 acres of land, this ruined Marches castle lies only one mile from the vast Iron Age hill fort of Old Oswestry. The fortification was originally an earthworks with a wooden castle and most of the surviving structure dates from the rebuilding of 1221, when the fitz Warren family applied to Henry III for permission to built a stone fortress.

In its low-lying position the castle was protected from attack by the treacherous surrounding marshland. It was also defended by a moat system but only a couple of pools now remain. The outer gatehouse with two towers had a 42 ft long drawbridge leading to drier land.

During the Civil War the castle was held for the King until the Roundheads took it by force in 1643. The castle fell into decay after the Civil War and the ruins were plundered for local building and road surfacing material.

In the 17th century a cottage was built into the North Gatehouse.

The present condition of the castle dates from the restoration and clearance work of 1967.

The small rural community of Whittington has acquired a 99 year lease to manage the castle, which stands at the centre of the village.