Visit the castle

The saloon at Croft Castle in Herefordshire

1000 years of power, politics and pleasure in an intimate family home. Croft Castle sits deep in the heart of Herefordshire countryside surrounded by 1500 acres of historic woodland, farm and parkland. Home to the Croft family for nearly 1000 years, this castle has many powerful stories to uncover.

The first Bernard de Croft of Croft Castle was noted in the Domesday book in 1086 and the Crofts have fought to keep their home ever since. In the castle you can uncover stories about the key members of the family who played their part in influencing British political and military history.

Discover over 1000 years of power, politics and pleasure at Croft Castle
A view of Croft Castle in Herefordshire
Discover over 1000 years of power, politics and pleasure at Croft Castle

Our guides will give you the highlights such as Sir Richard Croft who fought with his Croft army during the Wars of the Roses alongside Edward Mortimer in 1461 at the 'Battle of Mortimer's Cross'. The Tudor Sir James Croft was imprisoned in the Tower of London during the 'Wyatt rebellion' and tortured because he wouldn't betray Elizabeth I; she later appointed him 'Comptroller' of her Royal household.

The tomb of Sir Richard and Dame Eleanor Croft in the church at Croft Castle
The early sixteenth-century tomb of Sir Richard & Dame Eleanor Croft in the Church of St Michael at Croft Castle
The tomb of Sir Richard and Dame Eleanor Croft in the church at Croft Castle

The castle volunteers will also tell you about a time when the Crofts lost their home in 1746 and eventually bought it back 177 years later. You can see the changes the 'Somerset Davies' and 'Kevill Davies' families made to the interiors and estate at Croft whilst the Crofts were away.

Find out about William Croft and the Civil War and what happened to the castle during this time and move right up to the twentieth century as we continue to research and share stories of Croft and its inhabitants with memorabilia, costume, photographs and letters from the last 100 years.

Portrait of Sir William Croft (1593-1645)
A portrait of Sir William Croft in the Entrance Hall at Croft Castle in Herefordshire
Portrait of Sir William Croft (1593-1645)

Sit and relax in the Saloon and find out about the life of James Croft and how the family bought back their home in 1923. You can explore the family photographs or sit and read through the auction catalogues.

The Dining Room at Croft, where the family had lunch parties during the late-1950s
A table set for dinner in the 1930s dining room at Croft Castle and Parkland in Herefordshire
The Dining Room at Croft, where the family had lunch parties during the late-1950s

Find out more about our 'Here and Now' display in the castle, where you can discover the differences between who looked after Croft Castle in the past, and who looks after it now. 

Upstairs in the Ambassador's Room, as part of our 'Here and Now' exhibition, you can discover the different conservation projects that we have at Croft, and you can even vote on which project you would fund if you were the General Manager.

A glimpse into the Ambassador's Room at Croft Castle
The Ambassador's Room at Croft Castle in Herefordshire
A glimpse into the Ambassador's Room at Croft Castle

Discover how the Croft family worked with the National Trust to save the castle and estate for the nation in 1957 and what life was like here during the decade with archive material, photographs and memorabilia in the Library.

A view of Croft Castle, Herefordshire Play Video