Croft Castle is Worth a Visit!

You should never be at a loose end when exploring the border county of Herefordshire, but here’s one to add to your list, that offers something of interest to all age groups.  Croft Castle and Parkland is in the care of the National Trust and can be found at Yarpole, about four miles north-west of Leominster. For all you sat-nav buffs the post code is HR6 9PW.

Croft Castle is under National Trust management

There has been a building of some sort on the plot since the 11th century and it has from this time been the home of the Croft family. There were close connections between the Crofts and their neighbours, the Mortimer family of Wigmore. The present building originated as a castle in the 14th century and has been much altered since.

Being Welsh border country, it is not surprising that the famous Owain Glyndwr would have a connection with the property, and apparently one of his daughters married John Croft. The adoption of the Welsh Wyvern crest is seen as a nod to the Glyndwr heritage. Restoration has taken place as a result of damage caused by slighting during the civil war.

What exists today is effectively a manor house with round towers at each corner. Members of the Croft family still live at the property. The parkland has chestnut, oak and beech trees, numbering some three hundred, with many being of some antiquity, as well as an iron age hill fort at Croft Ambrey. You can also visit the nearby church of St. Michael.

For further information and opening times, please consult the relevant National Trust web page.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croft-castle/