History

There have been people living and working on the site of the hotel for over a 1000 years, and we hope to continue to add to that illustrious history in the future! The Castle is built on the site of the original Bishop’s Castle, using stone scavenged from the ruins.

Going back to the beginning……..The Castle Hotel stands on land which in Saxon times was owned by Egwin Shakehead – who got his name from the violent tremors induced by Palsy. When he was miraculously cured of this disease in around 780, Egwin expressed his gratitude by giving this land to the Bishops of Hereford in perpetuity.

Twenty years after the Norman Conquest in 1066 the then Bishop of Hereford built a castle here to defend the church and village from the threat of the marauding Welsh.  As peace later came to the Welsh Marches, Bishop’s Castle became one of the notorious electorally corrupt ‘rotten boroughs’ as satirised in the television series Blackadder where the sitting member for a rotten borough was ‘a Dachshund called Colin’. (By coincidence a Dachshund still lives at the hotel!)

In the early 18th century The Castle began to deteriorate and in 1719 The Castle Hotel was constructed from the castle ruins on part of the site of the original Castle, by order of James Brydges, Duke of Chandos, a local landowner and a man of vast wealth.

The 1st Duke of Candos sold The Castle Hotel to John Walcot who in turn sold it to Robert Clive (1725 – 1774), known more famously as “Clive of India”, founder of the British Empire in India. Clive later sold The Castle Hotel onto his son Edward, who changed the family name to Herbert, his mother’s maiden name, and took his father’s subsidiary title of Earl of Powis.

For more information on the history and heritage of Bishop’s Castle we have a very active and respected Bishop’s Castle Heritage Resource Centre. A local heritage store and activity centre celebrating local history and keeping it within the community for people to use and enjoy. For more information please click here.

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The Bedrooms

We have twelve lovely bedrooms, all en-suite, TV, pillows, sheets, all mod cons you see. And all suffused with that "away from it all" feeling. Some bedrooms have lovely views of the town and the surrounding hills, and others look out over the fabulous hotel gardens.

The Gardens

The gardens really are a feature in their own right. South facing, you gaze over the top of the little town to the big hills beyond, serenaded by the tinkling waterfall in the adjoining lily ponds. Have lunch in style on the extensive decking area with seating for over 50 guests, shaded by vine-covered arbours.

Things To Do

With various activities to do close by you will never be short of things to do during your stay ion Shropshire at The Castle Hotel. Take a lazy stroll around the ancient cobbled streets of Bishops Castle or for the more energetic activities try some walking or cycling around the surrounding hills.

Bishops Castle

Bishops Castle is a small and ancient market town encircled by the South Shropshire Hills, and is only a few miles from the Welsh Border. It is approximately equidistant from Shrewsbury and Ludlow It therefore makes the perfect place to start your exploration of this beautiful corner of Britain.

Shropshire

Shropshire may be one of the countries quietest counties but don’t be deceived- there´s still plenty to see and do. Shropshire has over 90 places to visit – historic houses and castles with beautiful gardens, the famous Ironbridge Gorge, and several National Trust properties nearby, including Powis Castle and Attingham Hall.

What our visitors say

  • 3 night stay - perfect - Food absolutely lovely, staff friendly - perfect mini break with our dog. Glorious countryside, wonderful walks - would highly recommend, thank you we will certainly come back. Maria x Stayed June 2015, travelled as a couple

    Maria FTripadvisor
  • We stayed with a group of friends to take part in the Bishops Castle Challenge Walk. Everything about the hotel was great. Rooms, food, very friendly and helpful staff . A good location for exploring the beautiful countryside of Shropshire. Definitely a hotel to come back to. Stayed August 2015, travelled as a couple

    MA_1ukTripadvisor
  • We stayed at The Castle Hotel for one night. Our room was fantastic with a beautiful view down to the village. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. Fabulous garden with a great panoramic view of the village. Our evening meal with lovely as well as breakfast. We will be back for longer next time. Stayed June 2015, travelled as a couple

    Jarman42Tripadvisor