Weoley Castle

About the museum

The ruins of Weoley Castle are the remains of a fortified manor house that is believed to date from about 1270. It was built by the Lords of Dudley as a hunting lodge in what was then a deer park of about a thousand acres, which stretched almost to the present city centre.

Although it has long been called a castle, the house had a moat, a curtain wall, towers, battlements and arrow slits, but never a keep, because it stood in a valley rather than on a defensive hill. Local people paid the Lords of Dudley a share of their crops as rent, and a regular court in the Great Hall settled disputes and punished poachers.

The site became a scheduled ancient monument in 1934, and archaeological digs uncovered many finds. Birmingham Museums now looks after it. The ruins can be seen from a viewing platform every day, and the ruins and a small visitor centre with finds from the excavations can be entered on event days.

Highlights

• Remains of a moated manor house from about 1270, one of the oldest buildings visible in Birmingham
• Free viewing platform open every day in daylight
• Visitor centre with finds from the site, open on event days
• Guided tours on selected Fridays

Permanent exhibition

• Weoley Castle ruins and visitor centre – The ruins of a moated 13th-century manor house, with finds from the excavations on display in the visitor centre on event days.

Operated by

Birmingham Museums Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Viewing the ruins from the platform is free. Some events on event days carry a charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The viewing platform is accessible to wheelchair users. Inside the ruins the ground is grassy and uneven, so the site is not fully accessible to wheelchair users or people with mobility difficulties. The visitor centre is on one level and has accessible toilets, but it and the toilets are open only on event days. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome on event days. There is no car park; parking is on the road. The guided tour is outdoors and can be adapted for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

A programme of family activities and events runs through the year, and the guided tour is suitable for adults and families. Baby changing is available on event days.

Getting there & parking

The ruins are 6 miles south-west of Birmingham city centre. From the A38 Bristol Road, turn onto Weoley Park Road, then Castle Road, and at the roundabout turn onto Alwold Road; the ruins are past the bungalows on the right. Sat nav postcode B29 5RX. Visitors to Birmingham Museums sites get 25% off National Express West Midlands Day Saver bus tickets.

Amenities & dining

On event days there are toilets (including an accessible toilet), baby changing facilities and an education room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit