Over the past ten years many people, locals and visitors to the area, have taken advantage of a unique opportunity to see inside the iconic Wilton Castle.

For 300 years, the castle guarded the River Wye crossing at Wilton in an attempt to stop the hostile Welsh from plundering English lands. However over time the castle had fallen into ruin and was on the ‘at risk register’.

About 15 years ago, Alan and Susie Parslow bought the castle and lavished love, time and money on it. Thanks, in part, to a grant from English Heritage they have done all they can to ensure the castle has once again been restored to its rightful place as one of the iconic sites in Ross-on-Wye. Restoring the castle was a mammoth project which was only completed thanks to the Parslows working in partnership with English Heritage.

In return the castle, which is a Grade I Scheduled Ancient Monument, had to be opened to allow English Heritage members to see where their money has been spent for at least 28 days a year.

Visitors were able to see the curtain wall and three towers which have been carefully restored along with a dry moat, and the courtyard which is laid out with beautiful gardens.

In fact many people visit the castle purely to spend time in the gardens which have been a real labour of love for Alan. Throughout the summer he starts work at 6am to keep the gardens so beautiful.

Alan and Susie believe that about 20,000 people have enjoyed spending time in the fairy tale castle and gardens for a few hours. They are very grateful to everyone who has helped make the openings such a success. But very soon their 10 years of obligation to English Heritage will have been fulfilled. They have been obliged to open the castle for 28 days a year to make it possible for the public to see the work which made the place safe as a grant from English Heritage helped to restore the castle.

The Castle will be open to the public for the last time this week, until Tuesday, August 28th, from 12noon to 5pm, including Bank Holiday Monday. The gardens are wheelchair friendly and there is ample car parking.