Wattlesborough Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wattlesborough Tower |
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| Alberbury, Shropshire, England | |
Wattlesborough Tower, Alberbury
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 Wattlesborough Tower
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| Coordinates | 52°42′27″N 2°57′22″W / 52.7074°N 2.9560°W |
| Type | Tower House |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
Wattlesborough Tower is an old, ruined building in Shropshire, England. It was a strong house, built in the 1200s, and is sometimes called a Tower House. You can find it near the border with Powys in Wales. Wattlesborough used to be a small village area within the larger parish of Alberbury.
This castle is a very important historical site. It is protected as a Grade 1 listed scheduled monument. The Tower itself is a square building with two main floors. It sits above a basement area called an undercroft. Around the tower, there was a moated area, which is like a ditch filled with water, and a fishpond. The Leighton family owned Wattlesborough from 1471. They lived there until about 1711. Later, a farm building was built next to it and named Wattlesborough Hall.
The Tower's Story
Before the Norman Conquest in 1066, a person named Edric owned the land where Wattlesborough Tower stands. After the Normans took over England, the land went to Roger Fitz Corbet.
By 1086, the Domesday Book recorded this change. The Domesday Book was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror. It listed who owned land and what it was worth.
Later, the land was held by people who served the Lords of Caus in Shropshire. They held it as one "Knight's fee." This meant they had to provide a knight to fight for the lord when needed.
Historians believe the Tower was built around 1280. The land passed through different families over the years. From 1382 to 1414, the Mawdy family owned it. Then, from 1414 to 1471, the De Burghs were in charge.
In 1471, the Leighton family took over Wattlesborough. They lived there for a long time, until 1711. After that, they moved to a nearby place called Loton. Wattlesborough Tower then became part of a farmhouse.
What the Tower Looks Like Now
Wattlesborough Tower is a very important historical site. It is a Grade I listed scheduled monument. This means it's a building of special historical interest and is protected by law.
Today, only the tower remains, and it no longer has a roof. Its condition is officially described as poor. Organizations like Historic England are working with the owners. They want to find the best ways to protect and preserve this old building.
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