Elephant Gate House

The Elephant Gate House

Luxury Accommodation for up to four Adults (plus children). Ideal for Groups, Families & Self Catering.

The Gate House is an elegant, stone-built, detached, Grade 2 listed property built over 300 years ago as stables for The Castle Hotel. The building remained as stables until about 40 years ago when it was converted into the present characterful house. It is known locally as The Elephant House, as for a brief period during the last war it was used to house homeless circus elephants! Many original features remain including oak beams.

The Gate House is located next to The Castle Hotel in Market Square. It offers 2 double/twin bedrooms, a small upstairs living room with a smart TV, a kitchen with oil-fired cooking range and dining table, a bathroom with bath and separate power shower, a small private garden, and a delightful balcony off the Master Bedroom overlooking The South Shropshire Hills – An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There is private parking in the adjoining hotel car park, free Wi-Fi and access to the hotel gardens and all hotel facilities. Dogs are welcome and stay free of charge, and we even offer a complimentary dog-welcome box. The Gate House has its own small private garden and is ideal for dog owners. Please see our detail for Dog Friendly Information here.

This property can be rented for a minimum of two nights. For any questions or to book this house please call 01588638403 or email stay@thecastlehotelbishopscastle.co.uk

Rate Types Available:

Bed & Breakfast
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Please call for DB&B prices)

For more information or to enquire about availability and prices please call 01588638403, or you can check out prices and availability online HERE.

Dogs are very welcome and stay free of charge, and we even offer a complimentary dog welcome box. The Elephant Gate House has its own small private garden so is ideal for dog owners. Please see our detail for Dog Friendly Information here.

Bedroom Layout:
Bedroom 1 = 6ft Queen Or two 3ft Singles
Bedroom 2 = 6ft Queen Or two 3ft Singles

Living Room // Kitchen & Dining Area // Balcony // Private Garden //Bathroom with separate Shower & Bath // 1 x Private Parking Space, Free Wi-Fi // Access to The Castle Hotel and Gardens // SMART Television with Wi-Fi //

Why was it called The “Elephant” Gatehouse?

During the Second World War many circuses were still in operation. A number of them moved their animals and elephants out of the cities to places such as Bishops Castle to avoid the bombings. A large number of elephants were housed in the stables of The Castle Hotel. The Gatehouse was the main part of this stabling block.

On return to collect their elephants, and in the confusion, a single Indian Elephant was left and remained unclaimed. It continued to live in The Gatehouse for a time, with locals remembering its walks around town, and children would head up after school to help feed him. (See above images). From then onwards the Gatehouse has been known to the local population as “The Elephant House” and this history has been immortalised in the stained glass windows on The Gatehouse front doors, which bear pictures of the elephant.

“Highly recommended by friends the Hotel did not disappoint. charming and helpful staff, delicious food and drink and comfortable room made this a very pleasant overnight stay on our Journey.”

A. Person — Trip Advisor

This is a wonderful place to enjoy if you’re in Bishop’s Castle. We called in for coffee and cake on the Saturday and returned for Sunday lunch the next day. Fantastic service, excellent food and drink and a really nice atmosphere.

Keith G
1 August 2026
We had 2 specifications a walk in shower and a large bed bigger than a double! The Castle Hotel could meet both requirements! The room was large and well ventilated ,it was very hot, not anyone s fault. What there was an outside seating area close to our room.
The hotel is very dog friendly which we didn t mind but may not suit everyone.
The hotel is very old, lots of changes of level and very atmospheric. The Dining Room has wooden panelling , I expected Mrs Bennett to appear.
The cooking is excellent . We drank excellent local wine from the nearby winery, local beer was available. I suspect the ice cream was also local.
A daily what s on sheet was provided at breakfast , a nice touch to encourage local visits.

ahs1956
1 August 2026
The Castle Hotel is a very well managed hotel. Staff are well trained (and really pleasant and helpful) and everything was very efficient. This was a one night stay as we were cycle touring ; our bikes were safely stored and we were upgraded to a better room which was spacious and comfortable and really tastefully decorated. The only minor disadvantage was the proximity of the Town Hall clock which strikes every 15 minutes night and day - we had to close the window. The food in the restaurant is good, and well
priced, although for us the portions were too large. Breakfast was fine. Check in and checkout times are generous (3pm and 11am respectively) The garden is a very pretty and relaxing space and there is a guest terrace.
We would have no hesitation in returning.

Dajtrav
1 August 2026