Woolly says – A wonderful Christmas had passed with presents galore and a feast fit for a mammoth, although Santa had forgotten the Lear Jet that was top of my present list! With the next year rapidly approaching we decided to have a day out to celebrate, sadly the weather forecast wasn’t giving me much hope as we left our base with a fifty fifty chance of a deluge. I kept my paws crossed as we drove through small lakes and swerved round large bodies of water on our way to the quiet and peaceful Shropshire valley that was home to Stokesay Castle.

Stokesay Castle had survived remarkably intact, the fortified manor house was both once comfortable and impressive, designed as a statement of wealth and power and not for battle protection. Built in the 1280s and 1290s by Laurence of Ludlow, a local merchant who had made his fortune in the wool trade, sadly he died in 1294 so didn’t get to enjoy it for very long, had created a most beautiful place. Pulling up onto the car park it looked as good as the images I had seen online and as Jo unleashed the beast from the backseat I raced through the churchyard to take a closer look.

It’s timber beamed walls looked to be slightly on the slant over the now empty moat and were in sharp contrast to the bright yellow gatehouse that had been built between 1640 and 1641. The yellow tones had come from the local soil that had been used which was rich in copper deposits leaving it a most pleasing colour.

Knowing that Alfie the Dog was only allowed in certain areas I had to contain my enthusiasm until he had got enough paw steps in, with this in mind we wandered through the lovely graveyard of the church of St John the Baptist which had been built around 1150 as a chapel to Stokesay Castle and was expanded once the castle site developed in the 13th century.  As a result of the Civil War destruction Stokesay church is a rare example of a church extensively rebuilt during the Puritan period (1654) although some Norman features survive.

Memorials ranged from the 1600’s to the present day showing the difference in design and words used through the centuries. A wonderful array of tomb stones provided a most interesting walk.

Inside the church was cold and dark and had the smell of old church. It was plain in many ways. The biblical texts on the walls had been well preserved as had the two decker pulpit and canopied pews.

The simple altar was functional but not decorated, the two stained glass windows however were beautiful in design.

At the rear hung the bell ropes that would have been pulled for hundreds of years for celebrations and much sadder events.

Following the pathway we headed towards the Gate House which got better and better as we got nearer and were able to see the wonderful carvings that adorned it.

Once occupied by the Gate Keeper it would have provided a cosy home above the entrance way.

The grassy courtyard gave us a two storey building and a tower which I was itching to get into but furry paws has to come first so leaving the wonders for a little later we took to the track to stretch the small boys legs.

With the mutt duly walked and refreshed we left him happily snoozing in the car and headed back into the castle grounds. Choosing the two storey building to investigate first we entered the Great Hall with its high beamed ceilings it would have seated a hundred or so for lunch. The arched windows had seats where the former residents could have relaxed and watched the weather.

Down a couple of steps we found ourselves in the former kitchen complete with well.

The medieval staircase was pitted with wood worm and not very straight as we headed up to the first floor. It gave us the opportunity to look down into the Great Hall before leading us into a huge room that would have provided accommodation for visitors.

A huge fireplace surround looked rather green now but would have once held a roaring fire. Small nooks had been used as storage and leaded windows gave us a view over the church.

Heading back through the Hall we entered a much small room in an area known as the Solar Block. Where foods would have been stored.

Steps took us down to the former cellar where barrels would have lived ready for the residents New Year Eve parties.

Climbing back up we followed a narrow corridor and found ourselves in the most impressive of rooms. Once used to greet guests its beautiful fireplace had remained intact through the years with wonderful carvings.

Small windows allowed the family to see what was happening next door in the Great Hall which must have been great fun. Even better was the small room next door which could only have housed a toilet, I bounced in glee and wondered how many bottoms had been seen by these walls.

A staircase took us outside and into the North Tower where we were greeted by large and light rooms where the family would have once slept, large windows looked out over the countryside and fireplaces would have provided all the heat needed in the colder winter months.

Another privy presented itself before we climbed the stone steps to the next floor where the room was repeated from the one below.

Even steeper steps took us to the top of the tower and the chance to stand in the drizzle and survey the area around us and far below. The Gatehouse now looked tiny from my birds eye view.

With the clock ticking and the need to release barking boy from his confines I sighed happily, 2022 had been a great year…well except for the new cooker and boiler… and I had high hopes that 2023 would be even better, here’s hoping that we all have the year we want and the happiness that we desire.