Stokesay Castle is the best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. It was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, the leading wool merchant and one of the richest men in England at that time.
The castle comprises a walled, moated enclosure with an entrance way through a 17th century timber and plaster gatehouse. It’s a striking sight, and even on a grey day the ochre gatehouse affirms its right to be there.
The gatehouse features elaborate wooden carvings on both exterior and interior doorways, including angels, Adam and Eve and the serpent from the Garden of Eden and dragons. It had little real defensive value but is undeniably ornamental.
Inside, the courtyard faces a stone hall and solar block, protected by 2 stone towers. The south tower is an unusual pentagon shape and is 3 storeys high, with impressive views fom the turrets. The castle has seen drama in its life, including skirmishes with Cavaliers and Roundheads, but never sustained any real damage and has been more affected by the ravages of time.
The hall adjoins the south tower and has a 13th century wood-beamed ceiling. Next to this, a 2 storey solar block with extensive wood paneling, a huge fireplace and intricate wood carving. This would have been the family’s main living space.
Since 1986 Stokesay Castle has been managed by English Heritage, preserving and opening to the public. Details of how to get there are on their website. I’m hoping that you will have observed many an interesting Corner in this post.
I really oughn’t to but I’m also going to link to Paula’s Traces of the Past, just because I think she might like it. Is that a good enough reason?
restlessjo 
Lovely!
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Thank you! 🙂 🙂
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Seems a prefect post for “Traces Of The Past” Jo! A fascinating place with all the historical insights and a wonderful set of photos! 🙂
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The reason for doubt is that Paula’s post is for black and white photography, Rosemay, and this was simply too pretty to eliminate all of the ochre. She has a colour version on Thursday’s Special but I was too impatient to wait. 🙂 🙂 Thanks darlin! As always, you’re very kind. Good week?
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Yes thanks Jo – busy as ever feel I’ve been chasing my tail a bit but we’ve had a lovely week here with a taste of spring. Sunny after a few weeks of rain and damp. Hope weekend is going well for you 🙂
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Extremely well preserved.
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It’s quite amazing the detail in the wood carving. I wish I had better photos, but you get the idea. 🙂
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These are some ornate corners in a very beautiful place.
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I was amazed at how beautiful, and how well preserved, Joseph. 🙂
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Really beautiful castle. Thank you for sharing. I haven’t been there, so appreciated seeing your photos.
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I’ve not seen one liike it, so I was very happy to share. Thanks a lot! 🙂 🙂
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Wow! These are incredible shots, Jo. You spoil us! xo
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You know you deserve it, Jill! Grinning xx
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Yes, many an interesting corner! The rest of the place looks very interesting, too. Thanks for taking us there.
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I shared a glimpse of it last Saturday because I didn’t have time for the full post x
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First thing first: how are your body parts? I’m hoping all trace of pain is gone leaving only frisk behind.
And now to this lovely post. Corners aplenty, and many visual pleasures through your glorious eye. The carving, the glimpses through arches and doors, the views of the landscape (so green), and flowers foregrounding. Hugs wrapped in the sound of the kettle boiling and my son washing up.
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What a virtuous son you have! My back is in very grumpy mood tonight which is why I’m about to step into a hot bath rather than read your posts. Ask Jude! I’ve been gallivanting again so it serves me right. I knew you’d like Stokesay. Hugs wafting steam at you xxx
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Take a good long soak and may it be totally curative. And thanks for steam. It’s a chilly morning.
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Very interesting post, that is a picturesque place 😉 I like how the yellow contributes some warmth to the environment 🙂
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It needed to that day, Eleazar, because the sun didn’t find it’s way out till we were alreay heading home 😦
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Many interesting sights must have been seen over the centuries when peering round those corners! Love such places, but we don’t really have any at the end of Africa.
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You have lots of sights I’d love to see at the end of Africa, and I won’t ever make it. 🙂 🙂
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I love that ochre gatehouse with those fabulous carvings. And, oh, those corners are to die for! 🙂
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It’s a bit different, isn’t it, Cathy? 🙂 🙂
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That gatehouse is astonishing. I love the shot from above where it’s just peeking in.
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Thanks, Anabel! Isn’t it unusual? I’ve never seen anything like it. 🙂 🙂
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I love the perspective of the photos you took from above. I assume you were standing on that tower (or maybe there is a better word for the bird’s view place you were standing?) to take them? Very cool, and the grey sky doesn’t bother me. 🙂
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Yes, I was at the top of the tower, looking through the turrets, Liesbet. Such a wonderfully dramatic looking place 🙂 🙂
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An impressive fortified manor house.
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It’s a good one, isn’t it? Thanks for your company 🙂 🙂
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All of your photos are in a wonderful places.
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Thank you! I do seem to get about a bit 🙂 🙂
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I really enjoy seeing places like this, so thanks for sharing with us Jo. It’s always wonderful to imagine the inhabitants from long ago living and working in their home. That yellow gatehouse with its beautiful woodcarvings is beautiful against the grey sky.
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They were holding an event with medieval games for the youngsters too, Carol, but I didn’t get any decent action shots. 😦
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Ah, you got there before me 🙂 It is a pretty little place isn’t it? I even went up onto the turret too, and walked around the moat. You are making me nostalgic for Shropshire now!
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Sorry, Jude! 😦 Meant to have this up this morning but I was watching Far from the madding crowd last night and out on a coach trip all day today. Life getting in the way of blogging 🙂 🙂
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Coach trip? Do you ever stay at home?
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Not intentionally 🙂 🙂 My t’ai chi teacher is in Spain this week so I had a couple of days spare. Guess where tomorrow? Northerly. I’m just keeping out of Mick’s hair 🙂
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Well I am sure he is glad to get you out of his hair, sounds most uncomfortable! Now, where are you heading off to: Newcastle? Alnwick? Edinburgh? Surely not.
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Bamburgh 🙂 🙂
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Oh, that is a lovely castle. We thoroughly enjoyed touring that one (and in a glorious location too!)
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It’s the first time I’d actually been inside, Jude. I don’t think it was even open to the public the last time I was up here. 🙂 🙂 Not a lot of sun, but warm…
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Some great images and fabulous corners, Jo!!
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It’s such an unusual place, Sue. The skies were really grey and I don’t think I did it justice, but I tried. 🙂 🙂
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I think you’ve done pretty well, Jo. Many years since I visited, but I recall grey skies…….
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Thanks, hon! 🙂
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😀😀
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Looks like a really interesting place – love the wood carvings and the gatehouse 🙂
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When I was last in the area I remember intending to visit the castle, Eunice, so I finally got there. 🙂 🙂
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