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Although crenulated, the spectacular red sandstone ruins of Acton Burnell speak more of a grandiose place of comfort rather than a defensive fortress built in times of war.
The castle owes its romantic reputation to its idyllic setting amongst the rolling 'blue' hills of Shropshire, bordering closely with Wales. It was built by Robert Burnell in 1284. Burnell was a favourite of Edward I, he was his Chancellor and was also Bishop of Bath and Wells. His family had held the manor here for around a hundred years and now, with permission from the King to crenellate, it took on the air of a grand estate. This was to be short lived, the male line of the Burnell family died out in 1420 and the castle was abandoned.
In the 17th-century, the castle which had been purchased by the Smythe family was once again abandoned, the Smythe's had decided to build for themselves a new more modern home. In keeping with the times they built a superb Georgian Hall, gloriously embellished with graceful Ionic columns and the castle, together with its adjacent buildings was left to become a ruin.
The Georgian Hall built by the Smythe family is now a college and the romantic ruins of the once grand castle are cared for by English Heritage.
in the county of Shropshire
(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776...
a Historic Market Town in the county of Shropshire
(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction SW)Church Stretton is an historic market town in the South Shropshire hills, and the only town in the Shropshire hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - one of Britain's fiinest.....
a Historic Market Town in the county of Shropshire
(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)Shrewsbury is a wonderfully atmospheric town which beguiles the visitor with sights of bygone centuries and much a great charm is to be found in its narrow streets and medieval buildings...
in the county of Shropshire
(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction SW)Little Stretton lies in a charming rural area a short distance from the old town of Church Stretton...
in the county of Shropshire
(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction E)This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge....
All towns in Shropshire
Wroxeter Roman City lies about 5 miles south-east of Shrewsbury, here lies the remains of what was the fourth largest town in.....
An elegant 18th century mansion with regancy interiors and deer park, Attingham Park is of the great houses of the.....
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The site of Shrewsbury Abbey is an ancient one, quite possibly dating back to Saxon times when a wooden church would have stood.....
The bleak, heather clad Long Mynd lies to the west Of Church Stretton. It is a long lonely stretch covering some 10 miles in.....
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