ACTON BURNELL CASTLE

Shropshire

Acton Burnell Castle, Shropshire

Construction began on the Castle here around 1283 on the instructions of Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells.  A licence to crenellate was granted the following year and the Castle was completed by 1286.  In 1316 it passed to the de Handlo family who assumed the name Burnell.

It remained occupied until it passed to Lord Lovell in 1452 who soon abandoned it in favour of more comfortable properties.  However, the Castle was later passed to the Crompton family who seem to have made it habitable once again and it was occupied until around 1672, when the Smythe family finally moved out.

The Castle, which is a quite unusual building being more fortified hall than anything else, has survived years of neglect very well, with only one tower (the North West) having completely vanished.  Today it is owned by English Heritage and is accessible at any time of day.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

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