Bishop’s Castle is a characterful English market town on the border between Shropshire and Wales. Surrounded by the beautiful Shropshire Hills, it’s a great place to enjoy local food, real ales, walking, history and independent shops during your stay.
From one of Britain’s oldest breweries to a fascinating local museum, there are plenty of things to do in Bishop’s Castle whether you’re visiting for a few hours or spending the whole day exploring.
Key Takeaways
- Bishop’s Castle is a historic market town surrounded by the beautiful South Shropshire countryside.
- The town has a long brewing tradition and is home to the historic Three Tuns Brewery.
- Independent businesses and creative spaces give Bishop’s Castle its distinctive character.
- The House on Crutches Museum is a great place to discover more about local history.
- Bishop’s Castle is an excellent starting point for walks through the surrounding Shropshire countryside.
- Staying at Moonrise Lodges gives you a peaceful countryside base for exploring Bishop’s Castle and the wider area.
Why Visit Bishop’s Castle?
If you’re searching for things to do in Bishop’s Castle, you’ll soon discover that this small Shropshire town has much more to offer than its size might suggest.
Close to the Welsh border and surrounded by the Shropshire Hills, Bishop’s Castle combines historic streets, independent shops, local pubs, arts and culture with wonderful countryside nearby. It’s a place made for exploring at an unhurried pace. You can discover local history in the morning, stop for lunch, browse the shops and then head into the countryside for an afternoon walk.
If you’re planning a longer escape, our luxury lodges in Shropshire provide a peaceful place to stay while you explore Bishop’s Castle and the surrounding area.
Here are the 5 Things to Do in Bishop’s Castle During Your Visit
1) Enjoy a Real Ale (or two) at Britain’s Oldest Brewery
The Three Tuns Inn, a famous and historic pub and brewery, has been part of Bishop’s Castle since its establishment in 1642.
Over the years, it has been refurbished and extended while maintaining much of the charm of the original pub. Step inside and you’ll discover three bars, the public bar, snug and lounge, as well as an oak-framed, glass-sided dining room.As you can probably imagine, this lively pub serves a fantastic range of real ales from the adjoining Three Tuns Brewery, alongside food for those looking to stop for a meal during their visit.
For anyone interested in local beer and the history of Bishop’s Castle, it’s certainly worth adding to your itinerary.
2) Enjoy Dinner with a View at the Castle Hotel
The Castle Hotel is an 18th-century coaching inn set on the site where the town’s original castle once stood. With beautiful gardens and panoramic views towards the Welsh hills, it’s a lovely place to stop for food or a drink while exploring Bishop’s Castle.
The hotel has three separate bars, each with its own character. You’ll find terraces leading out towards the gardens, cosy fires and, naturally, plenty of real ale. On a sunny day, head out to the south-facing gardens and terrace. It’s a particularly relaxing spot to enjoy dinner while taking in the surrounding countryside.
If you’re building a longer itinerary around your visit, you’ll find plenty more inspiration in our guide to things to do in Shropshire.
3) Stock Up on Your Very Own Poetry Prescription
Bishop’s Castle is home to the wonderfully unusual Poetry Pharmacy, an independent Victorian shop filled with poetry, books, art and gifts.
The concept of “poetry on prescription” offers something a little different from the usual bookshop experience. Visitors can browse poetry, philosophy and wellbeing titles alongside arts and gifts.
What is the Distillery in Bishop’s Castle?
If you’ve searched for the Distillery in Bishop’s Castle, you may have come across it in connection with the Poetry Pharmacy. The Distillery was used as a creative space for literary workshops, readings and events, adding another unusual attraction to Bishop’s Castle’s independent arts scene.
It’s one of the more unusual things to do in Bishop’s Castle and a great stop if you enjoy books, poetry or discovering independent local businesses.
4) Visit the House on Crutches Museum
The delightful House on Crutches Museum offers a glimpse into everyday life in Bishop’s Castle during the 19th and 20th centuries. Established as a museum in 1993, the early 16th-century timber-framed building contains displays exploring domestic life, local businesses, agriculture and childhood.
Farming and agriculture played an important role in the area, alongside industries including brewing, shoemaking and tanning, so the museum provides useful context for much of what you’ll see while exploring the town today.
And if you were wondering about the unusual name, the “crutches” refer to the posts supporting the second storey of the building. For anyone interested in the story behind the places they visit, this is well worth adding to your Bishop’s Castle itinerary.
5) Explore this Picturesque Town by Foot
As a dedicated “Walkers are Welcome” town, Bishop’s Castle is an excellent hub for exploring the beautifully unspoilt Shropshire countryside. Situated within the Shropshire Way and only a short distance from the historic Offa’s Dyke Path, you can follow various well-marked paths through the pretty hillside and valley villages that pass through the River Clun and Upper Onny.
If you’re a keen walker, we highly recommend visiting in May during the Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival for fascinating long and short walks with experienced guides.
You can spend the morning exploring Bishop’s Castle before heading into the countryside, or make walking the focus of your whole Shropshire break. If that sounds like your kind of getaway, we’ve put together five local walks in Shropshire to help you decide where to explore next.
Discover the Beautiful Bishop’s Castle From Moonrise Lodges
Our two luxury lodges, Swallow and Curlew, are just a 20 minutes’ drive from Bishop’s Castle, providing the perfect base to explore this quintessential English market town. We are filling up fast for the autumn season, with only the following dates still available:
With historic pubs, local food, independent businesses, fascinating heritage and beautiful countryside, Bishop’s Castle is well worth adding to your Shropshire itinerary.
And when you’re ready to relax after a day of exploring, Moonrise Lodges gives you a peaceful countryside base within easy reach of Bishop’s Castle. Stay a little longer and you can discover even more of what Shropshire has to offer from countryside walks and local food to historic towns and days out.
Explore our luxury lodges and start planning your Shropshire escape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bishop’s Castle
Is Bishop’s Castle worth visiting?
Yes. Bishop’s Castle is a great place to visit if you enjoy historic market towns, independent shops, traditional pubs, local history and countryside walks. Its compact size makes it particularly easy to explore during a day out.
What are the best things to do in Bishop’s Castle?
Some of the best things to do in Bishop’s Castle include visiting the Three Tuns, having food or drinks at the Castle Hotel, exploring the Poetry Pharmacy, visiting the House on Crutches Museum and walking through the surrounding Shropshire countryside.
What is Bishop’s Castle known for?
Bishop’s Castle is known for its historic market-town character, brewing heritage, independent businesses, arts and culture, and its location amongst the Shropshire Hills.
What is the Distillery in Bishop’s Castle?
The Distillery is associated with the Poetry Pharmacy and has been used as a creative space for literary activities and events.
Can you walk around Bishop’s Castle?
Yes. Bishop’s Castle itself is easy to explore on foot, and its location also makes it a useful starting point for walks into the surrounding South Shropshire countryside.
