Historic Houses and Castles of the West Midlands

We set off heading to the Shropshire estate of Hodnet Hall, an imposing Victorian manor house built in a Neo-Elizabethan style in the 19^th century to replace a 16^th century timber framed Tudor Mansion House. Although we can only view this impressive manor from the outside, we still have plenty to explore. There are some 60 acres of gardens positively bursting with colorful flowers, grandiose forest trees and extensive lawns. The current owner’s father Brigadier A.G.W Herber-Percy was the person behind the gardens current layout when in the 1920s he made it his mission to forge a union between the old grounds of the earlier mansion and the newer gardens of the present house.

This afternoon we head to the Staffordshire border where we have the afternoon to discover Chillington Hall. This Georgian country house is Grade I listed and has been home to the Giffard family for over 800 years. What we see today is the third house to have been constructed on the same site and in the 12^th century there was a stone-built castle, of which a small piece remains today as part of the cellars. The landscape park and lake in which Chillington Hall sits was designed by the renowned Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the mid-18^th century. Nestled in the grounds we can also find a Grecian Temple with an iconic portico and low dome above an attic story which has pedestals for four statues as well as an Italian-style temple. After a guided tour we have the chance to enjoy the surroundings with some light refreshments before we head back to the hotel for the evening.

Today we head towards the town of Shrewsbury, where in the village of Moreton Corbet we find the remains of Moreton Corbet Castle. This Grade I listed building is what remains from two very different eras, a medieval stronghold and an Elizabethan era manor house. A product of over 500 years’ worth of building, Moreton Corbet Castle’s earliest remains are those of the stone castle which was first started in around 1200 and included a fine gatehouse. During the 16^th Century the Corbet family then remodelled the castle, and the Elizabethan south wing is a rare survivor of Italian-inspired design as much was lost during the Civil War.

In the afternoon we transfer to the National Trust property, Sunnycroft. This little gem is hidden away on the edge of Wellington and is a rare example of a Victorian suburban villa and mini estate. As we approach the red-brick villa from the avenue we can just begin to imagine the estate in eras past. This tiny time capsule is filled to the brim with original wallpaper, Maw’s tiles and award-winning fireplaces. As we wander through the rooms of Sunnycroft, we become unexpectedly transported to pre-First World War country living. The house is bursting with everyday items that have belonged to the families that have previously lived here. Despite having many attributes of a grander house there is a familiarity at Sunnycroft that is much like ‘visiting your grandma’s’. After our private tour, we have some time to enjoy the tranquil gardens with a refreshing Elderflower cordial accompanied with fresh strawberries and cream.

Today we visit what is quite possibly one of the best-preserved fortified medieval manor houses in England, Stokesay Castle. We have the chance to explore the great hall which has remained largely unchanged for the last 700 years, spot characters intricately carved into the timbers of the 17^th-century gatehouse and ascend to the top of the fairy-tale tower to enjoy jaw-dropping views over the surrounding hills. First constructed in the 13^th century, Stokesay Castle remains largely bypassed by time and is one of the best places to take a glimpse at what medieval life was really like.

This afternoon’s visit is the Grade II listed building, Stokesay Court. Nestled in lush, landscaped grounds with stunning views of the south Shropshire countryside this late Victorian mansion is home to a breathtaking double height Great Hall lined with oak carvings. It was originally constructed in 1889 for John Derby Allcroft, a partner of the glovemakers J&W Dent, and the architect Thomas Harris utilized the most modern technology of the time - today some of the earliest uses of electric lighting and heating are still visible. Stokesay Court has achieved fame in more recent years as the setting for the Tallis House in the 2007 blockbuster, Atonement starring Keira Knightly and James McAvoy.

Later we return to our hotel

We head to the medieval fortress of Kenilworth Castle. We explore one of Britain’s biggest historical sites and experience over 900 years’ worth of history. We can see the dominating medieval keep, climb the towers for spectacular view and imagine how imposing the great hall would once have been. We can also follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth as we wander the wonderfully recreated Elizabethan Garden full of dazzling colour and fragrant walkways. After our tour and a spot of lunch we depart and return to our original joining points.