Tutbury Castle

Tutbury Castle is a stone fortress positioned on a ridge above the River Dove, defined by two outer baileys and a D-shaped inner bailey containing a Norman chapel. The site displays characteristic Norman construction with thick defensive walls and strategically placed fortifications.

The castle was granted by William the Conqueror to Henry de Ferrers in 1071, serving as a strategic stronghold in the Midlands region. Norman times shaped its early development and its role in regional power structures.

The garden spaces feature plants and layouts from medieval and Tudor periods, showing how people once grew herbs and vegetables for daily use. These recreated beds help visitors understand the practical gardening methods that sustained castle life across centuries.

The grounds can be explored on foot, though the slopes require sturdy shoes and time for climbing and descending. Visitors should prepare for weather changes and dress appropriately, as the site is largely outdoors.

Mary Queen of Scots endured four separate periods of imprisonment here, each tied to conspiracies against Elizabeth I. Her presence as a high-ranking captive transformed the fortress into a site of national political importance.