Pictures of Acton Burnell Castle

a Castle in the town of Acton Burnell, in the county of Shropshire

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About Acton Burnell Castle

Although crenulated, the spectacular red sandstone ruins of Acton Burnell speak more of a grandiose place of comfort rather than a defensive fortress built in times of war.

The castle owes its romantic reputation to its idyllic setting amongst the rolling 'blue' hills of Shropshire, bordering closely with Wales. It was built by Robert Burnell in 1284. Burnell was a favourite of Edward I, he was his Chancellor and was also Bishop of Bath and Wells. His family had held the manor here for around a hundred years and now, with permission from the King to crenellate, it took on the air of a grand estate. This was to be short lived, the male line of the Burnell family died out in 1420 and the castle was abandoned.

In the 17th-century, the castle which had been purchased by the Smythe family was once again abandoned, the Smythe's had decided to build for themselves a new more modern home. In keeping with the times they built a superb Georgian Hall, gloriously embellished with graceful Ionic columns and the castle, together with its adjacent buildings was left to become a ruin.

The Georgian Hall built by the Smythe family is now a college and the romantic ruins of the once grand castle are cared for by English Heritage.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Acton Burnell Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Acton Burnell Castle

Wroxeter Roman City	(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Attingham Park	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Wenlock Priory	(5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Shrewsbury Abbey	(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
Carding Mill Valley & Long Mynd	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Dingle Gardens	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Benthall Hall	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
Shrewsbury Castle	(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction N)	Pictures
Haughmond Abbey	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
The Long Mynd	(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction SW)	Pictures

All attractions in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Acton Burnell Castle

Acton Burnell, in the county of Shropshire (0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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Condover, in the county of Shropshire (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction NW)
A quiet and peaceful place, its pretty properties protected from the traffic that speeds down the main A49, Condover lies seemingly undisturbed by the passage of time.
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Leebotwood, in the county of Shropshire (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction SW)
Charming village, lying north of Church Stretton within the shadow of the Long Mynd.
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Shrewsbury, in the county of Shropshire (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
Shrewsbury is a wonderfully atmospheric town which beguiles the visitor with sights of bygone centuries and much a great charm is to be found in its narrow streets and medieval buildings.
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Little Stretton, in the county of Shropshire (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction SW)
Little Stretton lies in a charming rural area a short distance from the old town of Church Stretton.
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Ironbridge, in the county of Shropshire (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction E)
This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge..
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High Ercall, in the county of Shropshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction N)
High Ercall, or rather Arkle, as the locals pronounce it, is the very epitome of rural charm.
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Grinshill, in the county of Shropshire (13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction N)
The picturesque village of Grinshill is spread beneath Grinshill Hill, an isolated rocky outcrop which rises above the plains of the Severn Valley.
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Stokesay, in the county of Shropshire (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SW)
The village of Stokesay lies amid the soft rolling fields and wooded valley's of shropshire.
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Tong, in the county of Shropshire (16.6 miles, 26.6 km, direction E)
Fortunately, this attractive village was saved from the ravages of traffic by the building of the A41 By-Pass which was built around 1966.
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All towns in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Church Stretton Station	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SW)
Shrewsbury Station	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)
M54 Junction 7	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NE)
M54 Junction 6	(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction NE)
Birmingham International Airport	(41.5 miles, 66.7 km, direction E)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport	(50.4 miles, 81.1 km, direction N)
Acton Burnell Castle to London	(133.0 miles, 214.1 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Acton Burnell Castle

Hotel Name
Gaskell Arms Hotel & Restaurant	(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction E)
Sleep Inn Shrewsbury	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction N)
Sandford House Hotel	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)
Abbots Mead Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction N)
The Lion Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction N)
Cromwells Hotel	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
Longmynd Hotel	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SW)
Best Western Valley Hotel	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction E)
Swallow Buckatree Hall Hotel	(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction NE)
The Old Orleton Inn	(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts