Croft Castle

About the museum

The Croft family has been linked with this part of the Welsh border since about 1085. They were close to the Mortimers, and the Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on nearby Croft land in 1461. Sir John de Croft married a daughter of Owain Glyndŵr, and the family adopted the Welsh wyvern as a crest.

The present house dates mainly from the 17th century, with medieval-style towers. After financial trouble following the South Sea Bubble the Crofts sold the estate in 1746, and in the 1760s a later owner had the interior remodelled in a light Gothic style. Katherine, Lady Croft bought the castle back in 1923.

The castle passed to the National Trust in 1957 and opened to the public in 1960. Visitors see the family rooms on the ground floor and walk in the gardens and the parkland, which include an avenue of old sweet chestnuts, the Fishpool Valley and the Iron Age hillfort of Croft Ambrey.

Highlights

• Castle with a Rococo-Gothic interior and family collections
• Ancient avenue of sweet chestnut trees
• Iron Age hillfort of Croft Ambrey and the Fishpool Valley
• Walled garden, tea-room and second-hand bookshop
• Mini castle play area and wildlife exploring for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Croft Castle – The family rooms of a castle that the Croft family has held since the Middle Ages, with a Gothic-style interior from the 18th century.
• Garden and parkland – About 1,500 acres of woodland, farmland and parkland, including the Fishpool Valley, an old chestnut avenue and an Iron Age hillfort.

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the whole property (castle, gardens and parkland) from 1 March 2026 without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the adult price is £18.75. National Trust members receive free entry and parking with a valid card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Separate mobility parking is 30 metres from Visitor Reception, with a drop-off point. The ground floor of the castle is accessible, but the first floor can only be reached by a staircase. The grounds are partly accessible, with loose gravel paths, cobbles and some steps, and the parkland has uneven terrain. A shuttle service runs from Visitor Reception to the tea-room, castle and bookshop. Braille and large-print guides are available in the castle, there are induction loops and a virtual tour that can be booked on 01568 780246. One manual wheelchair and two single-seater powered mobility vehicles can be borrowed and must be booked. There are two adapted toilets, one near the tea-room and one in the castle. Dogs are not allowed in the house.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

There is a mini castle play area, wild play in the woods and wildlife exploring. Under 5s are free.

Getting there & parking

Approach from the B4362, turning north at Cock Gate between Bircher and Mortimer's Cross; the way is signposted from the A49 Ludlow to Leominster road and from the A4110 at Mortimer's Cross. The website notes a closure of the B4362, with access via the A4110 from Leominster or Wigmore. Use sat nav postcode HR6 0BL.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

There is a tea-room and a second-hand bookshop. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and parkland.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit