Home the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK

Bishop's Castle Tourist Information

How To Get Here
Bishop's Castle from Ludlow: A49 west then A489
Shropshire Features
Shropshire
Shropshire Gardens
Castles in Shropshire
Historic Houses in Shropshire
Shropshire Hotels
Search The Site
Shropshire Guides & Maps
TourUK
Main Page
Site Search
Feedback
Advertising
About Us
What's New

ShropshireBishop's Castle

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.

      Location Map of Bishop's Castle
What To See -

Bishops Castle Tourist Attractions

 

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

 
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.Admission Charge
 
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
 
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.
 
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 time.
 
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.  More On the Castle
 
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 Admission Charge More Information
 

Where To Stay in Bishops Castle

Call our Hotel Telephone Reservations Line: 0870 4786316

Hotels


The Castle Hotel Market Square Bishops Castle SY9 5BN  MAP
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.

More...


Guest Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels


Old Brick Guesthouse 7 Church Street Bishops Castle SY9 5AA  MAP
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...


Holiday Cottages


The Old Barn Bishops Castle SY9 5AS Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
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


Clover Cottage near Bishops Castle SY15 6EB Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
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


The Byre Wentnor near Bishops Castle SY9 5EQ Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
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


Days Out in and around Bishops Castle


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)

Info
Tourist Information Centre

Where To Stay

What To See

Around The Area
tourUK Newsletter
Offers & travel ideas
emailed direct to you.
  


| Disclaimer | Privacy | Advertise on tourUK.co.uk | Copyright ©1997-2012 Just Tour Limited