Heighley Castle facts for kids
Heighley Castle (also called Heleigh Castle) is a castle in ruins near Madeley, Staffordshire. It was built a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. The powerful Audley family finished building it in 1233. For more than 300 years, it was one of their main homes.
During the English Civil War in the 1640s, the castle supported King Charles I. Because of this, soldiers fighting for Parliament destroyed it. Today, only parts of the walls remain, mostly covered by plants.
Heighley Castle is a special historical site. It is protected as a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important old building. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This protects it from being changed or damaged. The castle is owned by a private person and you cannot visit it.
Historic England keeps a list of important places that are in danger. This is called the Heritage at Risk Register. Heighley Castle is on this list. It is described as being in "very bad" condition.
Castle History
Heighley Castle was built by a man named Henry de Aldithley (who later became "de Audley"). He lived from about 1175 to 1246. Henry de Audley was an important person. He was the Sheriff of Shropshire from 1227 to 1232.
Henry de Audley also built another castle nearby. It was called Red Castle in Shropshire. In 1223, he gave land and money to a nearby abbey. This was the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary at Hulton. Some of this land was passed down to him from his mother. He bought other parts of the land himself.
