Pictures of Tutbury

About Tutbury

This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle that for so many centuries has been central to the life and history of the town.

In the 10th-century, Tutbury was an important, well defended, market town protected by the castle which stood 100ft above the village. To-day only crumbling walls and jagged towers are all that remain of this proud fortress that once belonged to Henry de Ferrers. Henry fought at the Battle of Hastings and was one of William the Conquerors barons. Inside these crumbling walls are the site of some of the old buildings, these include the lodging quarters of Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned in the castle. Mary was to write of 'the horrors of this medieval castle' and it is said that of all the castles in which she was imprisoned, Tutbury was the one she hated the most! Mary, spent a long period at Tutbury before being moved to Fotheringhay Castle shortly before her execution in 1587. Other parts of the castle that can easily be identified is a Norman well which is 120ft deep and lined with stone walls all the way down and the South tower, with dungeons underneath.

St. Mary's church, just below the castle, was founded as a Benedictine Priory in 1080 by Henry de Ferrers. It was in memory of King William the Conqueror and his wife Queen Matilda of Flanders. It was further dedicated to the memory of his own parents, and in thanksgiving for his own family. The church features some of the finest Norman work in the Midlands, particularly, the splendid west doorway.

The wide main street of the village itself has some fine examples of Georgian and Regency properties. Of particular interest is the beautiful 500 year old Dog and Partridge Hotel which is immensley attractive with close set uprights in it's timber frame.

Enchantingly set in the agricultural countryside of Staffordshire, Tetbury is about 5 miles north of Burton-on-Trent and 20 miles south of the Peak district. It is close to the beautiful meandering River Dove and amid some of the finest scenery in the Midlands. The town offers good shopping facilities and two of the local glassworks have factory outlets. As you would imagine being so close to a famous brewing area (Burton) the are a host of inns and public houses to choose from. Nearby attractions include Uttoxeter racecourse, the national trust properties of Sudbury Hall and Calke Abbey.