Ludlow Castle

Ludlow, United Kingdom

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Admission: Ticketed
Wheelchair access: Partly accessible

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

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Ludlow Castle is a ruined medieval fortification in the English county of Shropshire, standing on a promontory overlooking the River Teme. Probably founded by Walter de Lacy following the Norman Conquest of 1066, it was among the first stone castles built in England. The castle passed through numerous owners across the medieval period, including the de Lacys, Geoffrey de Geneville, and Roger Mortimer, each adding fortifications and structures. Richard, Duke of York, inherited it in 1425, making it a symbol of Yorkist authority during the Wars of the Roses until it passed to the Crown under Edward IV in 1461. The castle subsequently served as the seat of the Council of Wales and the Marches, effectively functioning as Wales's capital, and was extensively renovated in the 16th century. By the 17th century it hosted prestigious cultural events, including the first performance of John Milton's masque *Comus*. Captured by Parliamentarians in 1646 during the English Civil War, the castle never fully recovered and fell into neglect after the Council was abolished in 1689. In the 19th century the Earls of Powis landscaped and eventually acquired the property, establishing it as a popular tourist destination.