The site of the castle has been designated an environmentally sensitive area to conserve the landscapes, wildlife and historic features of the area.

There is a public car park by the river and access to the castle is across the footbridge, through the field and uphill to the castle.

The site is supervised by English Heritage.

Walking can be steep and uneven but there is alternative access from the Town Square. Go up Enfield Street to the bowling green where you will find a public footpath and a different vantage point for the castle.

The castle is Norman and was built by Robert de Say in 1099 of earthwork and timber. It was then totally rebuilt of stone in 1140. Today’s owner is the Duke of Norfolk whose family acquired it in the 16th century.

Clun Castle was intended to defend the borderland and also monitor the traffic on the Clun-Clee Ridgeway where the drovers moved stock from Wales to the Midlands. This monitoring resulted in toll collecting which was at one time quite profitable for the town.

The old drover’s roads are still in the hills and people can walk in the footsteps of those some 3000 years before them, along the Clun-Clee Ridgeway or Kerry Ridgeway.

The castle was under siege many times and suffered much damage as a consequence. It was in the hands of the FitzAlan family from the 12-16th century, they eventually decided that it would no longer serve as a home and moved over to Arundel Castle which was also owned by the family.

In the 15th century the castle served as a hunting lodge for the Earl of Arundel.

By 1642, the Civil War, the castle which had been fortified many times was in ruins.

The remains that you will see today are the Norman Keep, some Norman windows, two 13th century semicircular towers, a four storied keep, evidence of the numerous floors of the castle, a section of staircase, some evidence of fireplaces and floors, earthworks and ditches and numerous foundations. The square vs the round design indicates the castle was not built as a major military castle because it’s design is not as formidable as it would have been if circular. It is said that by 1272 the castle had begun its decline as a fortress.