The Best Castles in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is a county in the West Midlands of England. On the east side, Herefordshire borders Wales and therefore the county is packed with Marches castles that were built along the border to protect England.

But Herefordshire offers more beautiful castles and historic houses that you can visit.  

Whether you’re looking for a (ruined) Norman castle, a splendid stately home, beautiful gardens, or one of the oldest houses in England in Herefordshire you can visit a castle or historic house that you will love.  These are the best castles and historic houses in Herefordshire.

Croft Castle

The history of Croft Castle goes back 1000 years when the Croft family built the estate.  The Croft family has played a prominent role in British history, they were involved in historical events alongside Kings, Queens, and Winston Churchill.

The current Croft Castle dates from the 1660s, though later remodels added (and removed) Rococo and Gothic elements. Many rooms in the castle can be viewed where you can learn more about the Croft family and their involvement in political and military events.

Surrounding the castle lies parkland and gardens including a three-acre walled garden and an avenue of Spanish Chestnut trees. On the estate, you can also see an Iron Age hill fort called Croft Ambrey.

Kinnersley Castle

Kinnersley Castle is a family-owned historic house near Hay-on-Wye. The original castle was one of the Marches castles built by the Normans along the border with Wales. The current house is an Elizabethan manor with a solar room featuring some of the oldest intricate plasterwork ceilings in Herefordshire.  

The house stands on eight acres of grounds with yew hedges, and orchard, a big cedar tree, a kitchen garden, and one of the largest ginkgo Biloba trees in the country.

Berrington Hall

Berrington Hall is a Neoclassical country house designed by Henry Holland for Thomas Harley. The 18th century home is one of the few homes by Henry Holland that is still intact.

The hall’s interiors are refined in a Louis XVI manner with elegant chimney pieces, plasterwork, and the impressive Staircase Hall. The house also shows “A Dress Fit for a King” exhibition, showing the dress worn by Ann Harley when she met King George III.

The hall is surrounded by Capability Brown’s last landscape garden.

Brockhampton Estate

Brockhampton is an ancient estate in the Herefordshire hills. The main attraction is the 14th century timber-framed manor house, each room in the house shows a different time period. This way you can learn more about the 600 years history of the estate. The estate also features a Gatehouse, a Tudor building which is a mock version of the manor house. You can also find the remains of  the Brockhampton Chapel.

The buildings are surrounded by 1,000 acres of farmland, parkland and 700 acres of woodland. One the estate you will find the National Trust’s largest orchard.

Eastnor Castle

Eastnor Castle is an early 19th century mock castle that was built for John Cocks, 1st Earl Somers at the foot of the Malvern Hills. The Gothic Revival castle was designed by Robert Smirke, who would later design the British Museum in London. In 1849 some of the interiors were redecorated by A.W.N Pugin.

The castle is still owned by the same family and it’s used as a private residence. The castle grounds feature one of the oldest operating flour mills in England, a deer park, arobreturm, and a lake.

Brampton Bryan Castle

Brampton Bryan Castle is a ruined medieval castle that was one of the many castles along the Welsh border to protect England against Welsh marauders and raiding parties. The castle was located in a strategic position guarding the route from Ludlow to Knighton.

The castle was destroyed during the English Civil War. Only the remains are now visible.

Visitor information: the castle is only open to the public on Scarecrow Sunday. Visit the website for more information.

Clifford Castle

Clifford Castle is a motte and bailey castle which dates from the Norman times. The castle, located in the Wye Valley, was built by William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford in 1070.   

The caste was left to ruin after the rebellion of Owan Glyndŵr in 1402. The castle ruins are located on the grounds of a private home, the owners worked together with English Heritage to stabilize the structure to prevent it from further decay. Visit the website for more information.

Goodrich Castle

Goodrich Castle is a ruined Norman castle in Herefordshire. The castle is located in a strategic position above the River Wye between Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye. The original castle was built by Godric of Mappestone after the Norman invasion of England. This castle was a wooden fortification that was enlarged and rebuilt into a stone castle in later centuries.  

The castle saw action during the English Civil War. It was first held by Parliamentary Forces and later by the Royalist forces.  In 1646, Colonel John Birch besieged the castle after which it fell into ruin. It became a popular picturesque ruin during the 18th century.

Hampton Court Castle

Hampton Court Castle (not to be confused with Hampton Court Palace) is a castellated country house in Herefordshire. The castle was built in the early 15th century by Sir Rowland Lenthall when the estate was granted to him after his marriage to the King’s cousin. The castle changed hands several times and the design changed with it. In the 1830s and 40s, the castle was remodeled again to change it back to its castle-like layout, exterior, and décor.

The estate has a 12-acre garden that include a kitchen garden, a maze, a secret tunnel, a Dutch garden, island pavilions, and a 150-year-old wisteria arch.

Kentchurch Court

Kentchurch Court is a stately home nestled under the Garway Hill in the Monnow Valley. The estate has been the home of the Lucas-Scudamore family for almost 1,000 years when Ralph Scudamore came to Herefordshire from Normandy.

The current house dates back to the 14th century tough in 1795, the house was remodeled in Gothic style after a design by John Nash. Surrounding the house lie some of the finest gardens in England designed in a picturesque landscape style that was very popular in the 19th century.

Longtown Castle

Longtown Castle is a ruined Norman motte-and-bailey castle in Herefordshire. The castle was built in the 11th century by Walter de Lacy using Roman earthworks that stood on this site. The castle was rebuilt in a stone castle in the 12th century by Gilbert de Lacy.  

The castle had fallen into decline in the 14th century though it was used during the Owain Glyndŵr rising in 1403. The castle ruins are set in the Olchon valley and offer beautiful views of the Black Mountains.

Pembridge Castle

Pembridge Castle is a late 12th century moated castle located on the border with Wales. The castle was built by Matilda de St. Valery and it was later the seat of the Pembridge family, the Wakes, and the Mortimer families.

The castle was restored in the 20th century by Dr. Hedley Bartlett. It is still in private ownership and not open to the public.  

Snodhill Castle

Snodhill Castle is a ruined motte and bailey castle at the end of the Golden Valley in Herefordshire. The Norman castle was presumably built in the 11th century as one of the Marches castles along the Welsh border.  The castle was ruined in the 16th century and forgotten for more than 350 years. Currently, the Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust is aiming to preserve the castle ruins. You can learn more about their work and if you can visit the castle on their website.   

Wigmore Castle

Wigmore Castle is a ruined castle that was once one of the most important Marches castles. The castle’s origin date back to Norman times and for 500 years it was an important seat of power that also hosted English Kings on several occasions.

The stronghold was owned by the Mortimer family and eventually it fell into ruin in the 16th century.  

Visitor information: the castle is owned by English Heritage and it’s open to the public. Visit the website for more information.

Downton Castle

Downton Castle (not to be confused with the fictional Downton Abbey which is filmed at Highclere Castle) is an 18th century country house in Herefordshire. The house was designed in Gothic Revival style for Richard Payne Knight. He was also fan of the picturesque style and had landscaped ground designed by Thomas Hearne.

The house is a private home and not open to the public.

Hellens Manor

Hellens Manor in Herefordshire is one of the oldest houses in England. The earliest parts of the house date from the 12th century but it is mainly a Tudor and Jacobean house. Hellens Manor features a large collection of art, furniture, books, and décor that have connections to famous people like Anne Boleyn, Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I, among others.

Surrounding the house are beautiful Tudor and Jacobean gardens with a walled know garden, a yew labyrinth, a Physic garden, and a 17th century octagonal dovecote.