FINALLY, after 13 years, the builders and scaffolding at Wilton Castle have finally gone and this ancient Marcher Castle can now be safely enjoyed by the public. Restoration supported by English Heritage was started in 1996 by Andrew and Heather Jackson and completed by Alan and

Susan Parslow. Over the last two years, visitors have been

coming to see this romantic castle on a few days, but now the owners are to open the gates for 28 official opening days. "We want our visitors to know that through the Spring and Summer, on Wednesdays, Wilton Castle will be open in the afternoon and local people and holiday makers can make their plans for visiting. In addition, the Castle will be open on Bank Holiday Mondays plus there are to be National Garden Scheme openings on some Sundays. Parties of 10 people can make special arrangements to visit and the Castle can be used for special functions such as weddings, birthday

parties or painting/photo sessions," said Susan. For those of you that haven't visited the Wilton Castle on the Wye, you will find an inner

courtyard grassed out with beautiful old fashioned scented roses with facing borders of hydrangeas surrounded by a high curtain walls.

There are three restored towers for you to explore, a dry moat surrounding the castle covered in the spring with golden daffodils and snowdrops and the romantic ruins of a fine Elizabethan mansion that was burnt down during

the Civil War. For centuries the Castle was in a ruinous state

and most people were unaware of its existence, so to see the pink stoned walls and towers very carefully restored plus new gardens is an absolute

delight. When you visit you can have a conducted tour explaining how the Castle has been restored. You can also enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee whilst reminiscing on the history of the castle and the beauty of the grounds. The first Open Day is on Sunday, March 15th so make a date to come along and see the romantic and beautiful Wilton Castle on the Wye.