Acton Burnell Castle

Acton Burnell Castle is a red sandstone fortified manor house built between 1284 and 1293 for Bishop Robert Burnell, Edward I's Lord Chancellor. Parliaments met at Acton Burnell in 1283 and 1285, giving this quiet Shropshire setting a place in national political history. The house was abandoned by about 1420 as a replacement residence developed nearby, but its tall outer walls still make the proportions of the medieval building easy to understand. Walk around the shell to examine the window openings and surviving stonework, with trees framing the approach from the entrance. Visitors enjoy the compact scale and often suggest bringing a picnic or making a short stop while exploring the area. A small free car park leads through a gate and a short wooded approach to the grass around the ruin. Dogs on leads are welcome, and the access-road gates close at dusk.