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Stokesay Castle, South Shropshire added to English Heritage in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 07/05/2025

Stokesay Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England, with a fascinating history that blends elements of fortified architecture and domestic comfort. Here's a rundown of its story:
Laurence of Ludlow, one of the richest men in England thanks to the wool trade, started building Stokesay around 1281. He acquired a license to fortify the house in 1291, as a sign of wealth and prestige rather than a real need for defence. The castle’s layout, with it’s central great hall, flanking towers, and a moat, demonstrated a blend of domestic luxury and symbolic strength. Laurence died in a shipwreck off the coast of Ireland in 1294, leaving his project largely complete.
The 14th Century was a period of Prosperity and Consolidation for the family, who retained their ownership of Stokesay, and the castle remained a comfortable rural retreat. The estate benefitted from the ongoing wool trade, which continued to fund both improvements and the maintenance of the property. Although there were no major architectural changes made, the property stayed in active use, with the great hall still at the centre of domestic life.
The 15th Century was largely dominated by the Wars of the Roses where supporters of the Houses of Lancaster and York battled each other to gain control of the English throne. By 1471, it had resulted in the end of the Lancastrian male line, and the subsequent creation of the Tudor dynasty via the union of the two houses through marriage. However, throughout the civil war, Stokesay stayed relatively untouched due to its remote location and lack of military value.
It was during this period Stokesay Castle’s Ownership transitioned by marriage to the Vernon family, a well-established gentry who made the castle their home. There were some subsequent additions made to the property, but mostly minor such as improved fireplaces and windows, reflecting changes in domestic living standards of the time.
The 16th Century and the Tudor period brought peace and prosperity, for the Vernons and they continued to occupy and enjoy the castle. Further modifications in line with the time such as interior panelling, updated furnishings, and subtle architectural tweaks were added for comfort, and as a private residence, it retained its medieval character while adapting to Renaissance tastes.
In the 17th Century Stokesay had passed onto William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven, who was a courtier and soldier from London. One of the wealthiest peers in England he was a keen supporter of King Charles I, and therefore it was no surprise that he took the side of the Royalists during the English Civil War. In 1645, the castle was garrisoned by Royalists but surrendered without bloodshed to the Parliamentarians. As was the way during this turbulent period of English history, Parliament ordered its fortifications dismantled, but since it wasn’t truly defensive, only light damage occurred. It was around this time when the timber-framed gatehouse, built around 1640, some 2 years before the war had started, remained unscathed and is now a signature feature of the property.
During the 18th Century the castle began to fall into disrepair as it was no longer used as a main residence. Romantic ruin culture took hold, where visitors saw it as a relic of a lost age. There was no major restoration undertaken at this time, but its picturesque decay continued to draw the attention of antiquarians and artists.
In 1869, John Derby Allcroft, a Victorian philanthropist, and a wealthy glove manufacturer purchased Stokesay Castle and initiated its restoration, sensitively repairing the structure while preserving its medieval elements.

The castle survived both World Wars without damage as Allcroft's descendants continued to own the castle, opening it to the public and dedicating funds from admissions towards upkeep. However, due to the increasing cost of maintenance, Jewell Magnus-Allcroft, the last Allcroft family member to own the castle, entered an agreement with English Heritage in 1986. English Heritage assumed responsibility for the castle's preservation during her lifetime and inherited ownership upon her death in 1992.

Today it continues to be a popular historic site, with visitor-friendly interpretation and events with the emphasis of preservation, digital archiving, and community engagement. Stokesay Castle is a rare example of a medieval building that has never been significantly altered or rebuilt, making it invaluable for historians and tourists alike.

I TOAL from the English Heritage carpark, which on the date of visit cost £3.50. The carpark is very close to the castle and VLOS is easily maintained, however, as English Heritage has a 'no drones' policy I wouldn't advise this approach. Instead TOAL close to the entrance to the Church where I believe the road is open to the public.

There is a cafe and toilets on their carpark so comfort breaks are well taken care of!

View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.43027, -2.831084 • what3words: ///slave.deodorant.smuggled

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 12/04/2025. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

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Magdalen College, Oxford (By BudgieUK)

A lovely building, adjacent to the historic Magdalen Bridge.
Lots of interesting angles, and there are many lovely buildings in the immediate area.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.75189, -1.246696 • what3words: ///older.enjoyable.junior

Swinhay House (A.K.A. “Appledore” in the TV series Sherlock), Stroud (By gasbag43)

Swinhay House is a futuristic £30m construction with its own viewing tower and bowling alley that was home to Sherlock’s nemesis Charles Magnussen in the final episode of Series 3

Set on ten floor levels and boasting a viewing tower located 14.5m above the lower ground floor level, the property is tucked away near Wotton-under-Edge in the south Cotswolds

The building has eight bedrooms, set in three separate wings, as well as an eight-bay underground garage. Around one of the bedroom wings flows a water canal that cascades into a lagoon.

It also boasts squash courts, a TV and games room, a fully-enclosed winter garden and a panorama room

Parking and TOAL was from a small lay-by in a narrow lane immediately adjacent to property boundary

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.64295, -2.389398 • what3words: ///betraying.admits.dozens

Kilnsey Crag, Craven (By Scaleber)

Bit of a paraphrase from Wikipedia - The village of Kilnsey is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Chilsie when it was described as waste. The most notable feature of Kilnsey is a large limestone cliff called Kilnsey Crag, overlooking the road and the River Wharfe from the west. The crag is around 170 feet high, with an overhang of 40 feet. It was painted by J. M. W. Turner in 1816. The crag contains several of Britain's most extreme sport climbing routes, such as Northern Lights 9a (5.14d), and North Star 9a (5.14d), by Steve McClure.

Just one more amazing feature of the Dales.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.10868, -2.040651 • what3words: ///cowering.nooks.coasting

Cove, Argyll, Garelochhead (By Scaleber)

Cove is a beautiful place with an interesting history. In common with many villages in the area, Cove provided summer lodgings for the families of wealthy Glasgow merchants, shipowners and businesspeople in the 19th century. Many of the houses therefore are amazing. But it is Loch Long which makes it spectacular.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.99358, -4.854133 • what3words: ///sprawls.handover.jeering

Doune Castle, Scotland, Carse of Stirling (By Scaleber)

Doune Castle sits near the village of Doune, in the county of Perthshire. Originally built in the 13th century it has a rich history. Of more recent note is its major role in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Due to all the original locations falling through, Doune represented every castle (Camelot, Castle Anthrax, Swamp Castle, French Castle) with the exception of Castle Stalker (Argyll) which was “Castle Aaargh”

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.18525, -4.050618 • what3words: ///surprises.having.native

Norman Park, Bromley (By grandad1950)

A very large park near Bromley with a fine Athletics track, multiple sports pitches, and a well known weekend park run.
Big car cark and loads of space to fly.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.38694, 0.022112 • what3words: ///retail.dimes.gained

Walgrave Moated Site, Daventry (By Scaleber)

Extract from Historic England - "The moated site at Walgrave lies to the north of Walgrave village and forms part of the present village recreation ground. The site is considered to be the location of the manor house and of a small associated fish pond. The moated area is square and is almost completely surrounded by a flat bottomed ditch up to 3m deep and 10m wide. The moat system was supplied by the small stream which runs to the east of the site and the east ditch of the moat is still waterlogged. This stream also supplies water to the small pond which lies to the north of the moat and a water channel links the moat ditches and the pond. To the west and south of the moated site are the earthwork remains of further water channels which formed part of the water management system on the site. The moat island is about 35m square and is reached by a narrow causeway which crosses the west ditch. On the south side of the moat island a raised rectangular building platform indicates the site of a former building."

Walgrave is a lovely village as well.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.34329, -0.82471 • what3words: ///factoring.breezy.reserving

Daltullich Bridge, Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava (By cduncan)

18th Century humpback stone bridge over the River Findhorn. Steep sided gorge and rapids.
Turn off the B9007 at Relugas. There is limited parking on the far side of the bridge but some space to pull in either side of adjoining road.
Access to the river is down an uneven track. There are lots of trees but TOAL possible from rocks or small sandy patches.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.51792, -3.693911 • what3words: ///tiling.downsize.marble

Whiteness Point, Nairn Rural (By cduncan)

Park at the Hilton of Delnies car park and walk or cycle along the beach, there is also a track that runs through the gorse bushes to the point if the tide is in.
This area falls into the Whiteness Head SSSI. There are also major construction works in the adjacent Adersier Port which you need to be mindful of.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.59588, -3.982773 • what3words: ///galloped.wagers.mingles

Secret Beach at Hilton of Delnies, Nairn Rural (By cduncan)

Big wide beach extending about 5 miles to Whiteness Point with views across the Moray Firth. Accessed down a farm road off the B902. There is parking for a few cars at the end of the track. The area is covered by an SSSI. This relates mainly to risks of erosion and invasive species, as well as two non-breeding birds.
This can be a busy spot in summer months but there is plenty of space on the beach and in the lagoon area behind to avoid people.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.58619, -3.937455 • what3words: ///meanders.bracing.qualify


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