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 Bishop's
Castle
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Bishop's
Castle, a small market
town in the south-west of the county, takes its name from
a Norman castle built here soon after 1066 by the Bishops
of Hereford. Little remains of the original Marcher
castle but evidence of this historic structure can still be
found at the top of the town.
Bishop's Castle was
established by the Normans in 1127 to encourage English settlement
and trade in the Welsh Marches.
During the reign of Elizabeth
I the castle, town and surrounding lands became crown property
but by the time of the Civil War the estates had been sold
off and the castle ruined.
Today the historic town has retained
many of its fine Elizabethan and Georgian buildings that are
worth seeing. There are also several interesting museums
to visit.
One of the most curious buildings,
the 16th century House on Crutches, contains a museum detailing
local history and rural Shropshire life.
The town's brewing history is
charted at the small museum attached to the Three Tuns Brewery
in Salop Street. There is also a facinating railway
and transport museum in the High Street.
Bishop's Castle is a good place
to begin exploring Offa's Dyke, the longest archaelogical
monument in Britain.
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Map of Bishop's Castle |
What
To See -
Bishops Castle Tourist Attractions
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 House
on Crutches Museum, Bishop's
Castle. The curious "House on Cruches" is one of
Bishop's Castle's most unusual buildings. The 16th century
timber-framed house holds a rich collection of exhibits relating
to local history and rural life in south-west Shropshire.
Open: Easter-Sept: Sat and Sun (plus Thurs in school
holidays) 13:00-17:00 Tel: 01588 630007
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Bishop's
Castle Railway and Transport Museum,
School Lane, rear of 28 High Street, the Bishop's Castle Railway
was never a financial success, lack of funds meant the main
line only reached Lydham Heath, engines reversing direction
to complete the journey to Bishop's Castle. Opened in
1865, the Bishop's Castle Railway managed to struggle on for
70 years (69 years in the hands of the receivers) before operations
were suspended in 1935. The museum, in a medieval barn,
was created in 1989 to preserve artifacts from the railway and
has been expanded to included other forms of transport. After
a disastrous fire in 2000, the museum reopened to the public
in 2002.
Open: Easter until Oct: Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 14:00-17:00
Tel: 01588 638446. |
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Hobbs
History of Beer & Brewing,Salop
Street, Bishop's Castle, attached to the Three Tuns Brewery,
this small museum details the history of beer and brewing in
Shropshire. The unique Victorian tower brewhouse is still in
use and the museum is open during Brewery tours. Also open
on special occasions and by appointment. Tel: 01588 638797
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Bury
Ditches, Lydbury North, B4385
south east of Bishop's Castle, a facinating Iron Age ring fort
reached by a steep climb up through woods. High on the hill,
the site has views of south Shropshire and north Herefordshire.
The fort is higher to the north and this part offers the best
view. Local legend maintains that the site contains a pot of
fairy gold with gold threat attached to it which will lead a
visitor to its hiding place. Car Park. |
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Mitchell's
Fold Stone Circle, Rorrington, east on A488 then Priestweston
and towards Rorrington. a Bronze-Age monument on Stapeley Hill
close to the Welsh border at 1,000 feet on a heath-covered,
treeless, plateau with panaramic views over Shropshire and into
Wales. The stone circle is about 85 feet in diameter and once
had about 30 unworked dolerite stones. Now 16 stones remain,
the tallest is 6 feet tall but many of the other stones are
stumps. Nearby is the remains of another stone circle, the
Hoarstones. A third circle, the Whetstones, is said to have
beeen destroyed by a farmer in the 19th century. Open any reasonable
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Clun
Castle,
in the of village of Clun, south of Bishop's Castle, off A488,
a romantic ruined castle , today you can clearly make out the
original plan of the castle. The ditch and two heavily defended
baileys surround the motte and rectangular keep. English Heritage
site.  |
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Walcot
Hall, Lydbury
North, SY7 8AZ, off
B4385 near Lydbury North, a
handsome red-brick Georgian house set in the remote countryside
of the Welsh borders. In
1764-69 Lord Clive completely remodelled the house and stable
block. Part of the building
is used for holiday accomodation. The
house and landscaped park occupy a splendid site in the Welsh
borders. Open:
House & Garden: two days on 29th and 30th May 2005 as part
of National Gardens Scheme. Tours of the Hall can be arranged
at other times by appointment only. Arboretum: Apr-Oct: Fri,
Sun and Mon 12:00-16:00.Tel: 01588 680570
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Where
To Stay in Bishops Castle
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Market Square Bishops Castle SY9 5BN
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The Castle is situated in a quiet area, at the top of Bishops Castle, with spectacular views of the town. It offers 3 bars with log fires, a restaurant serving local produce, and beamed bedrooms.
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Guest
Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels
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7 Church Street Bishops Castle SY9 5AA
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The Old Brick Guesthouse is an 18th-century grade II listed building situated in the medieval town of Bishop’s Castle. Surrounded by the Shropshire Hills, it offers freshly cooked breakfasts and rooms with free Wi-Fi.
More Information...
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Bishops Castle SY9 5AS Tel: 01244 357717
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This great holiday property successfully blends original character with contemporary fixtures and fittings – including a covered hot tub that is lit up at night....
Sleeps up to 7 in 3 bedrooms
. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: 325.00-799.00
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
More Information |
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near Bishops Castle SY15 6EB Tel: 01244 357717
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Clover Cottage is a welcoming detached property offering quality single storey adults-only accommodation with its own hot tub, on a quiet caravan site 3 5 miles from Bishops Castle, over the border into Powys, Wales....
Sleeps: 4 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Pets allowed. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: £335 - £590 a week.
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
More Information |
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Wentnor near Bishops Castle SY9 5EQ Tel: 01244 357717
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The Byre has been tastefully converted to offer accommodation for up to 2 people; a classic, romantic retreat....
Sleeps up to 2 in 1 bedrooms
. Changeover Day: Sat Price Guide: 195.00-326.00
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
More Information |
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Days Out in and around Bishops Castle
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Towns near Bishops Castle To Visit - straight line distance:
Clun Tourist Information (5.02 miles) Craven Arms Tourist Information (7.74 miles) Montgomery Tourist Information (7.94 miles) Church Stretton Tourist Information (8.68 miles) |
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