The ruins of Weoley Castle are over 750 years old and are the remains of a fortified manor house built as a hunting lodge by the Lords of Dudley. The castle once stood within a thousand acres of deer park which extended almost as far as the city centre.
The ruins are one of the oldest buildings still visible in Birmingham, and is classified as a scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance.
It was called a castle because it had a moat, curtain wall, towers, battlements and arrow slits as well as an imposing gatehouse and impressive great hall.
There were also private rooms for the lords and ladies of the manor and a kitchen with a large fireplace for cooking. The family had their own chapel and stable range with lodging rooms above, and there was a large brewhouse for beer production.
The ruins at Weoley Castle are all that remains of a moated medieval manor house that once stood here. What you see today dates mostly from the 1270’s.The ruins are all that remains of a moated medieval manor house that once stood here. What you see today dates mostly from the 1270’s, when the Lords of Dudley were given permission by the King to build and fortify their castle in stone. It was called a castle because it had a moat, curtain wall, towers, battlements and arrow slits. However, it did not have a keep or the defensive position required by a castle as it is located in a valley. During the Middle Ages the castle was at the heart of a large deer park covering nearly 1000 acres. There were fields, smallholdings and a mill close by.
It is free to view the ruins from the viewing platform, but there is usually a charge for events. This information is included in the What’s On details.
Charges are applicable for group visits
Did you know that Weoley Castle is one of many museums in Birmingham?