Rowton Castle

Rowton Castle stands in the Shropshire countryside, six miles from Shrewsbury. A 17th-century country house, it occupies the site of an earlier castle. The house once belonged to the Lyster family before passing through several owners in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It served as the Royal National College for the Blind from 1941 until the college moved to Hereford in 1978. After years of disuse, the building was restored and opened as a hotel in 1989. The castle’s history includes a fire in 1953 that destroyed much of the interior and musical instruments used for training. The college rebuilt and expanded, though it eventually outgrew the site. The building’s classrooms now form private apartments, while the rest became a hotel and restaurant. The 17-acre gardens surround the house, offering a quiet setting for guests. Visitors find a mix of historic features and modern comforts. The hotel occupies the main building, with rooms in the former staff quarters. The dining areas once used by pupils now serve guests. The gardens provide space for walks, and the countryside around Shrewsbury offers views of rolling fields. The castle’s past as a college adds a layer of interest to its atmosphere.