A guide to Ludlow Castle, Stokesay Castle, and Whittington Castle
Half-term will soon be upon us. The children will be off school again, the house is will once again become a war zone, and you’ll be seconds away from Googling “Is it legal to sell children on eBay?”
Before you resign yourself to a week of endless snacks, Peppa Pig or The Next Step on repeat, there is a solution.
Castles.
Yes, instead of a half-term of boredom and destruction, why not book a stay at one of our holiday lodges or treehouses and from here set off in search of some proper medieval ruins? Shropshire, conveniently, is packed with castles.
So here’s where to take the kids for an adventure fit for a knight in Shropshire.
Ludlow Castle – The Big Daddy of Shropshire Castles
Ludlow Castle isn’t just a castle; it’s the castle in Shropshire. It’s big. It’s dramatic and it was once home to royalty, Ludlow Castle is a sprawling ruin where kids and even some adults can run wild, pretending they’re knights, princesses, or medieval warlords . There are towers to climb, dungeons to peer into, and enough crumbling walls to make a health and safety officer faint.
Need-to-Know Info:
Location: Castle Square, Ludlow SY8 1AY
Opening Times: Open daily, 10 am – 4 pm (check website for seasonal variations)
Entry Fee: Yes (see website)
Parking: Available nearby in Ludlow town centre
Nearby Eats: Ludlow is full of fantastic pubs, bakeries, and cafés. Go fancy with The Church Inn or grab a legendary sausage roll from The Ludlow Food Centre.
Stokesay Castle – The Fairy-Tale Fortress
If Ludlow Castle is the big, brooding warrior of the Shropshire castle scene, Stokesay Castle is its charming, polite younger cousin. Less of a fortress and more of a fortified manor house, it looks like something from a storybook.
The timber-framed gatehouse is ridiculously pretty, and inside the great hall, you half expect a medieval banquet to start (sadly, it doesn’t). The best part? It’s small enough that kids can explore without you losing them.
Need-to-Know Info:
Location: Nr Craven Arms, SY7 9AH
Opening Times: Open daily during half-term, 10 am – 4 pm
Entry Fee: Yes (see website)
Parking: On-site (small charge applies)
Nearby Eats: The Stokesay Inn in Craven Arms does excellent pub grub, and there’s a Costa if you need an emergency caffeine fix.
Whittington Castle – A Part- Restored Castle with a Proper Moat
Whittington Castle has one crucial feature that makes it an instant winner with children: a moat. Moats are brilliant. They make everything better. Just imagine if your house had a moat – you’d never have to worry about unwanted visitors again and your own pair of swans to gaze at.
The castle itself is smaller and more ruined than Ludlow or Stokesay, but what it lacks in intact walls, it makes up for in vibes. There’s a proper bridge to over the moat to walk across, towers to explore, and even local legends of ghosts and secret tunnels.
Need-to-Know Info:
Location: Castle Street, Whittington, Oswestry SY11 4DF
Opening Times: Open daily, 9 am – 4 pm
Entry Fee: Free! (Donations welcome)
Parking: On-site car park that charges but there are places to park free in the village.
Nearby Eats: The adjacent tea room serves cakes, snacks, and a proper pot of tea. Alternatively, The White Lion pub or the Boote inn are just a few minutes walk away.
So if you want a proper medieval adventure, Ludlow Castle is the one. If you prefer something a bit more refined (but still grand), go for Stokesay Castle. And if you’re after a fun, budget-friendly option with a moat, Whittington Castle is perfect.
So, pack up the kids, grab some snacks, and head out on a half-term adventure. Because, let’s be honest, anything is better than being stuck indoors listening to “Mummy, I’m boooored” on repeat.