Old Wardour Castle
Old Wardour Castle, hidden among the wooded hills of south‑west Wiltshire, is one of England’s most romantic medieval ruins. Built in the late 14th century for the Lovell family, its hexagonal design was highly unusual for the period, inspired by continental fortresses rather than traditional English castles. A striking fact is that the castle was partly destroyed during the English Civil War when Lady Blanche Arundell famously defended it with just fifty men against a much larger Parliamentary force. Today, visitors can wander through the atmospheric remains of the Great Hall, with its soaring windows and fragments of carved stone, imagining the lavish banquets once held there. The chapel ruins retain delicate tracery that hints at the castle’s former elegance, while stairways and chambers reveal glimpses of medieval domestic life. The surrounding grounds add to the experience: the 18th‑century grotto, built after the castle fell into ruin, creates a picturesque contrast between nature and architecture. Views from the upper levels frame the landscape beautifully, making Old Wardour a favourite spot for artists and filmmakers.
Tisbury United Kingdom
You will find it at Old Wardour Castle, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6RR. It is about fifteen miles west of Salisbury, near the villages of Tisbury and Donhead St Andrew. The castle sits in its own wooded grounds overlooking a lovely lake, so it feels really secluded and peaceful. It was built in the 14th century as a hexagonal castle, which was very unusual for England, and is now looked after by English Heritage. There is plenty to see around it. Right next to it you have New Wardour Castle, the grand stately house that replaced the old one, with its beautiful grounds. The whole area is part of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, so there are great walks through ancient woodland and around the lake. For more big days out, you are right on the edge of some of Wiltshire's best. Stourhead House and Garden is not far, with its world famous landscaped garden and temple. Longleat Safari Park and Longleat House are close too, and the pretty hilltop town of Shaftesbury with Gold Hill is just over the border in Dorset. If you like castles and historic houses, you can also head to Wilton House near Salisbury and of course Salisbury Cathedral with its tallest spire in Britain. The village of Tisbury itself is lovely, full of independent shops and cafes and a good base to explore the Nadder Valley.