England · Partial ruin
Apley Castle
Apley Castle was a medieval moated, fortified manor house at Hadley, Shropshire, later expanded into an Elizabethan mansion by the Charlton family. The principal Elizabethan mansion was demolished in 1955; elements of the earlier medieval house survive incorporated into a rebuilt stableblock that was renovated as a private house in 1996. The site is a Grade II* listed building.
Its prime
1600
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1600
What Apley Castle looked like in its prime.
Apley at its prime was a large, square-plan Elizabethan manor of grey ashlar stone set around a central courtyard, its ranges rising two to three storeys. The building combined medieval fortification (licensed crenellations) with late Tudor domestic work: steep slate and lead roofs punctuated by multiple tall brick chimneys, high ashlar walls and regular window openings. The whole complex was surrounded by a broad moat and sat close to the village, approached from a lane across the water.
Its story
The story of Apley Castle.
Apley Castle was a medieval moated, fortified manor house at Hadley in Shropshire. By the early 14th century the manor was owned by the Charlton family, who had become major landowners in the region, and in 1327 Sir Alan Charlton received a licence to crenellate the manor house; the Charltons later expanded it into an Elizabethan mansion.
In 1642 the castle passed by marriage to Thomas Hanmer, who married Mary Charlton. A royalist, Hanmer fortified the mansion at the outbreak of the Civil War that year — a valuable strategic stronghold close to Shrewsbury. The principal Elizabethan mansion was demolished in 1955; elements of the earlier medieval house survive in a rebuilt stableblock, renovated as a private house in 1996, and the site is Grade II* listed.
Step inside
5 places to explore in 1600.
The record describes 5 distinct spots at Apley Castle — including 2 interiors: central courtyard, interior of the stableblock. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Create History
Recreate Apley Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1600 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate this castle →Whose castle
Clans who held Apley Castle.
The families that held Apley Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Charlton
Held by the Charltons from the early 14th century until 1642; Sir Alan Charlton was licensed to crenellate in 1327.
Hanmer
Passed by marriage to Thomas Hanmer in 1642, who fortified it for the King in the Civil War.
Nearby
