EAW000897 ENGLAND (1946). Stafford Castle and Castle Wood, Stafford, 1946

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle, 13/08/2015

Stafford Castle - Castle Bank, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 1DW



Open to the public - free unless a special event. Open weekends and in summer also on Wednesday-Friday. Closed in bad weather.



Listed as Grade 2 only, in 1953- English Heritage Building ID: 442878

The Grade 2 listing is the minima and allows the local authority much leeway in terms of demolition.

Little seen in this image remains today as the local authority had the army demolish much of the ruins in the 1960's as being dangerous.

-As seen in this image, - Erected circa 1815 by Lord Stafford on site of mediaeval castle.

It was never completed and for many years was a crumbling ruin.

Only the lower parts now remain

Two front towers and the curtain walls, being considered unsafe, were largely demolished in 1963, the rear towers were reduced in height.



In 2007 substantial remedial stonework repairs took place. The gap in the north wall which was formerly closed by railings was filled with sandstone blocks. At the main entrance to the castle, a set of stairs was added with railings. Several areas of crumbling stonework were made safe.



- older history-

Once home to a Norman fort of motte and bailey design. Originally constructed around the 1080s by Robert de Toeni (de Tosny). The site became the seat of the Stafford family.



In 1348 John of Bicester was commissioned by Ralph Stafford to construct a stone castle on the former Norman site.





Image dated 2006 is copyright by Giles Jones, used under CC-BY licence. See [[Stafford Castle]]