Wattlesborough Castle

Overview

Wattlesborough Castle is a medieval fortified manor house located near Alberbury in Shropshire, England. Originating as a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the 12th century, it was later rebuilt in stone to serve as the seat of the Le Strange family, one of the leading noble houses of the Welsh Marches. The surviving stone tower — now attached to a later farmhouse — stands as a fine example of the transition from early medieval fortification to fortified domestic architecture.

Early history

The site of Wattlesborough was first fortified shortly after the Norman Conquest as part of the network of castles established along the Shropshire–Welsh border to defend against incursions and maintain control over the Marches. The original earth-and-timber structure probably dates to the late 11th or early 12th century. By the mid-13th century, the estate had come into the hands of the Le Strange family of Knockin, who replaced the earlier fortifications with a stone tower house — a more permanent and prestigious symbol of lordship and authority.

Building and layout

The medieval tower, which still stands to nearly full height, is rectangular in plan and built of coursed sandstone rubble. It rises three storeys high with thick walls and narrow slit windows typical of the 13th century. The vaulted basement provided secure storage, while the first and second floors contained the hall and private chambers. A spiral stair within the wall gave access to the upper levels, and a parapet walk once crowned the structure. The tower would originally have been surrounded by a moat and bailey, with ancillary timber buildings, gardens, and livestock pens forming part of the wider manorial complex.

Later history and alterations

Wattlesborough Castle remained in the Le Strange family until the 15th century, after which it passed through marriage to the Burgh and Owen families. By the early 17th century, the site’s military value had declined, and a new brick farmhouse was built adjoining the old tower, incorporating parts of its walls into the newer residence. The tower continued in domestic use for centuries, preserving much of its medieval character. Antiquarian interest in the 19th century recognised Wattlesborough as an important survival of a transitional Marcher castle.

Present condition

Today, Wattlesborough Castle stands as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Monument, reflecting its national importance. The tower remains largely intact, attached to later farm buildings that now form part of a private residence. Although not generally open to the public, the castle is visible from nearby lanes, its tall, weathered walls standing as a testament to the long and layered history of the Welsh Marches. With its origins in Norman conquest and its endurance through peaceful adaptation, Wattlesborough Castle perfectly encapsulates the evolution of England’s borderland strongholds from fortress to family home.