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Visiting Dudley Castle

Overlooking the town of Dudley, Dudley Castle is a ruined medieval castle built after the Norman Invasion. It sits on a limestone outcrop in the Black Country Geopark. After years of rebuilding and demolitions, the ruins are within Dudley Zoological Gardens. Today, Dudley Castle and Zoo are tourist attractions under Dudley and West Midlands Zoological Society Limited.

Parking

There’s a car park near the entrance of Dudley Zoo and Castle. The car park utilizes a barrier system, and parking charges are £3.50 per token. The parking area is accessible from Tipton Road, D1Y 4SQ.

 

Price

Please note that when visiting Dudley Zoo and Castle, you must pre-book your admission ticket before your visit.

Admission Type

April – Dec 2021

Bank Holiday Mondays

Adults (with donation)

£19.50

£20.50

Adults (without donation)

£17.70

£18.60

Children (3-15 years with donation)

£13.50

£14.50

Children (3-15 years without donation)

£12.35

£13.15

Concessions (with donation)

£17.50

£18.50

Concessions (without donation)

£15.90

£16.80

Children with disabilities (with donation)

£12.50

£13.50

Children with disabilities (without donation)

£11.35

£12.25

 

Opening

Dudley Zoo and Castle are open daily (except on Christmas day) from 10 a.m. The latest admission is 3 p.m., and the grounds close at around 5.30 p.m.

Plan Day Visit

Location and Access

Dudley Castle is on Castle Hill, Dudley in the West Midlands. It’s a short distance from the town of Dudley and sits on a limestone outcrop.

Dudley Castle is approximately 3 miles (4.82 km) from M5 junction 2. It’s accessible by both road and rail. If driving from the town centre, you’ll access the Castle’s car park through Tipton Road, D1Y 4SQ. Head towards Black Country Living Museum from Castlegate Island. Then, turn right at the traffic lights.

The nearest bus station (Dudley) is just two minutes from the zoo entrance, and available bus lines include 12, 19, 6, 74, 82, and X8. The nearest railway stations are Dudley Port Station (3 miles or 4.82 km away) and Sandwell & Dudley Station (5 miles or 8.04 km away).

Dudley Zoo and Castle grounds are accessible to all visitors. Toilets and free parking areas are available for visitors with special needs. There are manual wheelchairs and electric scooters for hire. The zoo also has ramps and wide doorways for easy access.

Know Before You Go

  • You must pre-book your admission ticket before visiting Dudley Zoo and Castle.
  • Admission tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. You only use it once on the pre-booked day of your visit.
  • An adult should accompany children below 14 years on their visits to the Castle.

Places To Stay Nearby

The Village Hotel, Dudley

Distance from Dudley Zoo and Castle: 0.7 km (0.43 mi)

Situated at Castlegate Park, Birmingham Road, The Village Hotel is a welcoming 3-star hotel. The facility is centrally located; thus, it’s easily accessible. Apart from accommodation, the hotel is also ideal for business and leisure facilities.

Book

Premier Inn Dudley Town Centre

Distance from Dudley Zoo and Castle: 0.8 km (0.49 mi)

Conveniently located at Dudley town centre, Premier Inn is a 3-star hotel providing great access to nearby attractions. Moreover, it offers top-notch accommodation facilities.

Book

opthorne Hotel Merry Hill, Dudley

Distance from Dudley Zoo and Castle: 4.1 km (2.54 mi)

Overlooking the picturesque Canal Marina, Copthorne Hotel is a modern hotel offering exquisite customer service. The 4-star hotel is located in Black Country, a few miles from the magnificent Merry Hill shopping complex. It’s also 11 miles (17.70 km) west of Birmingham.

Book

History of Dudley Castle

The first motte-and-bailey castle was completed at Dudley in 1070. The castle has been in existence for over 900 years, being damaged and repaired many times. Dudley Castle has housed many nobles and other renowned historical figures. Its rich history has influenced the town of Dudley for nearly a millennium.

Time Line

-1070

According to Domesday records, Ansculf de Picquigny finished building the first motte and bailey castle at Dudley in 1070. Ansculf, a Norman noble, had acquired the land from William the Conqueror after supporting him in the Battle of Hastings.

-1080

The Domesday Book made the first record of the timber castle at Dudley. Ansculf’s son William Fitz-Ansculf was holding the Castle then.

Only the motte (mound) of this timber fortress has survived to date.

-1100s

The Paganel family acquired Dudley Castle and rebuilt it using stone. The sturdy structure withstood attack from King Stephen’s forces in 1138.

However, in 1173, Gervase Paganel joined rebellion troops against King Henry II, and the Castle was damaged. His nephew Ralph de Somery inherited the Castle in 1194.

-1262

Roger de Somery, Ralph de Somery’s descendant, began rebuilding the Castle. Reconstruction of the Castle was gradual, and it continued through to the 14th century. The keep and the main gateway are features built during this period.

-1321

The last de Somery heir died, and Margaret Somery and her husband John Sutton inherited the Castle (and properties). The members of this family used the surname Dudley.

-1325

Hugh Despenser the Younger, a favourite of King Edward II, confiscated Dudley Castle. However, the Dudleys regained the Castle when Isabella (King Edward’s wife) ousted the King.

John Sutton II (Margaret and John Sutton’s son) had a chapel and chamber added to the Castle’s walls. After his death, his wife Isabella owned Dudley Castle until her demise in 1397.

-1532

John Dudley (later Duke of Northumberland) ousted John Sutton VII from Dudley Castle. John Dudley rose to power during King Henry VIII’s reign, adding new residential buildings within the Castle’s walls. He had hired William Sharington, an architect who incorporated some Italian Renaissance styles.

Therefore, the Tudor complex of buildings obtained the name “Sharington Range.” John Dudley was later executed in 1553 for treason after participating in a plan to enthrone Lady Jane Grey.

Queen Mary restored the Castle to the Sutton family under Edward Sutton.

-1575

Queen Elizabeth I visited the Castle intending to imprison Mary, Queen of Scots, there.

-1592

Edward Sutton III (the last male heir) married off his granddaughter Frances Sutton to a wealthy businessman to offset financial problems at the Castle.

-1642 to 1646

A Royalist garrison under the leadership of Colonel Thomas Leveson held Dudley Castle during the Civil War. However, in 1644, Parliamentary troops besiege the Castle, forcing the royalists to surrender. They then destroyed the Castle’s defences, though some buildings remained.

After the demolition, the Earls of Dudley occasionally used the Castle but preferred residing at Himley Hall, around four miles (6.43 km) away. They also built a stable in the late 17th century.

-1750

A fire destroyed residential buildings in the Castle.

-1800s

The Earls of Dudley removed the debris and used the Castle as a “Romantic Ruin.” They also rebuilt battlements on one tower.

-1900s

Dudley Castle became a venue for fetes and pageants. In 1937, the Earl of Dudley opened Dudley Zoological Society, and it took over the management of the Castle’s grounds.

-1994

Queen Elizabeth II visited Dudley Castle and opened an Interpretation Centre.

Dudley Castle Occupants

In its over 900 years’ existence, Dudley Castle has been a residence of nobles and renowned personalities.

Some of the notable occupants of Dudley Castle include:

  • Ansculf de Picquigny, the founder of Dudley Castle.
  • William Fitz-Ansculf (Ansculf’s son) held the Castle when Domesday made the first record of Dudley Castle.
  • Ralph de Paganel rebelled against King Henry II.
  • Roger de Somery rebuilt the Castle.
  • Hugh Despenser (King Edward II’s favourite) held the Castle briefly.
  • Edward Sutton III, the last male heir of the Sutton family.
  • Earls of Dudley.

Images of Dudley Castle

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Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package

Dudley Castle Facts

Though Dudley Castle is a medieval ruin, it has retained several of its original structures. It is a scheduled monument and a Grade I listed building.

While visiting Dudley Castle, here are some features you’ll come across:

  • The motte (9 metres or 29.52 ft) and bailey (100-80 metres or 328.08-262.46 ft)
  • The keep (only two parts of the original four drum towers remain)
  • The main gateway
  • The stable block
  • Remains of the Sharington Range, the Great Chamber, and Chapel
  • The Elizabethan gatehouse
  • Two Russian cannons from the Crimean War
  • Birds-of-prey displays
  • Live demonstrations and re-enactments
  • The eerie ghost walks

Dudley Castle Q&A

  • Are pets allowed to the Castle? No. You can only bring an assistance dog to the Castle grounds. However, dogs are not allowed inside the zoo.
  • Can I bring a picnic? Dudley Zoo and Castle management have provided no information about allowing food from outside. However, there are on-site catering facilities where visitors can buy food, drinks, and snacks. They include The Oak Kitchen at the Queen Mary Restaurant, the Courtyard Café, The Watering Hole, and kiosks.
  • Are there tour guides at Dudley Castle? There’s a virtual tour of Dudley Castle at the Visitors Centre. Moreover, re-enactment groups usually organize live demonstrations of the Castle’s history.
  • Is Dudley Castle baby-friendly? Yes. There are baby-changing facilities in all toilets at Dudley Castle. Moreover, there’s a microwave at the main entrance where visitors can warm their babies’ food.

Location of Dudley Castle

Dudley Castle is located in Dudley, a historic and picturesque town in West Midlands, England. It’s a large industrialized market town, about 10.5 miles (16.89 km) northwest of Birmingham and 6 miles (9.65 km) southeast of Wolverhampton.

The town of Dudley is one of the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution, and it contains several tourist attractions. Dudley Castle is one of the top attractions.

The Castle’s mailing address is Castle Hill, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4QF.

Other Places To Visit Near Dudley Castle

Apart from Dudley Zoo and Castle, the market town of Dudley has a lot to offer.

Hence, you might consider visiting other tourist attractions, including:

Black Country Living Museum

Are you intrigued by industrial history? Well, the Black Country Living Museum is a fascinating speciality museum. Situated on a 26-acre piece of land, the museum tells the story of how the world’s first industrial landscape came to being.

As the name suggests, Black Country Living Museum hosts live and open-air demonstrations of how the first industrial setting in Britain looked like. There are also more than fifty shops, workshops, and houses that have preserved the region's industrial history.

While at the Living Museum, you can enjoy a tram ride, tour the underground mine, visit the vintage cinema, or savour traditional dishes.

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust is part of the navigable network of England and Welsh inland waterways. The canal also forms a section of the famous Stourport Ring narrowboat cruising route. The canal routes played a significant role in the establishment of the industrial landscape of Black Country.

The Dudley tunnels are underground and run under the limestone hills in the area. They’re among the longest in the country and are a marvellous sight. Visitors can take canal-side walks while exploring limestone fossils and local history.

Saltwells National Nature Reserve

Though it’s in the middle of an urban centre, Saltwells National Nature Reserve boasts a countryside landscape. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plants, including wildflower and bluebell wood.

Saltwells Nature Reserve is also a reservoir of protected geological and historical features. For instance, it comprises hidden sculptures, Carboniferous, and Silurian geology. It’s also a scheduled monument of medieval coal works.

A visit to the reserve provides an ideal opportunity to explore ponds and wetlands harbouring over 16 dragonfly species. You’ll have a spectacular view of orchids and butterflies on the former clay and coal mining landscape.

The reserve welcomes all visitor categories, including scientists, dog walkers, and tourists. The well-maintained trails ease movement for explorers and visitors across the landscape.

Merry Hill Shopping Complex

A vacation at the market town of Dudley would be complete without shopping for gifts or souvenirs. Merry Hill Shopping Complex is a magnificent shopping hub in Brierley Hill, West Midlands.

Merry Hill Shopping Complex hosts more than 180 shops, brands, and restaurants. The centre also has an entertainment section featuring an on-site cinema and a leisure development at the Waterfront. You’ll also find a large parking area with over 10,000 free parking spaces.

Local and global visitors flock to the Merry Hill complex all year round to enjoy one of the best shopping experiences. The shopping centre’s proximity to Birmingham, Junction 2, and the Waterfront complex enhance its accessibility.

Priory Park

Located a few miles north of Dudley town centre, Priory Park is a public park with a rich history. The site where the park currently stands belonged to the Cluniac Priory, founded by Gervase Paganel (Lord of Dudley).

Though it’s in ruins now, the priory is a picturesque feature that attracts the park’s visitors. Priory Pak is on a 7.7-hectare (77000 sq m) land consisting of woodland, a lily pond, and playing fields. It also has a sports area with tennis, basketball, bowling, football, and cricket sections.

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