Discover Tutbury: Castle, History and Walking Routes

Tutbury offers different glimpses into the area’s history: the castle on its natural promontory, notable architecture and traces of the former town area. Walks along the River Dove are another way to explore the town. For a hotel stay in Tutbury, these themes can provide a framework for your trip—whether you are especially interested in history or riverside paths.

Tutbury Castle and its history

Tutbury Castle stands on a natural promontory, overlooking the floodplain of the River Dove. The visible earthworks and those concealed beneath the ground include archaeological and environmental evidence of the site’s use over more than six centuries. The motte-and-bailey castle was built by 1071 by Henry de Ferrers.

Another chapter in the castle’s history is connected with Mary Queen of Scots: she was imprisoned at Tutbury Castle in 1569, 1570 and 1585. These dates mark several stays and also place the castle’s history in the Tudor period.

The castle’s visitor programme includes medieval reenactments, falconry displays, ghost tours and family events held throughout the year. Visitor facilities also include atmospheric rooms, museum displays and guided tours. Before visiting, check the current availability of these offerings and compare event dates with your travel plans.

Architecture and local history

The Church of St Mary offers two distinctive architectural points of interest. Its west front dates from around 1160 to 1170. The west doorway has an outer order of alabaster, considered the earliest known use of this material in England. The façade and doorway point to different details of the same church: the date of one architectural feature and the distinctive use of material in another.

Tutbury Museum focuses on the broader social history of the town, particularly the 19th and 20th centuries. Alongside the history of the castle and its buildings, it also highlights the everyday lives of local people in more recent historical periods. Another link to the town’s history is the Silk Mill (Georgian Crystal), built for William Lombe in the early 18th century. The history of glassmaking in Tutbury dates back to 1472.

Tutbury’s medieval town boundary also survives: south and west of the town, it remains as a raised earthwork in three separate sections. These sections add another dimension to the castle’s history: the town’s former defences.

Choosing walks and routes

The Tutbury Heritage Walk is a circular route designed by the Tutbury Civic Society and is part of the Heritage Walks in East Staffordshire. If you are looking for a self-guided route linked to the railway, there is also the Tutbury & Hatton Rails to Trails Walk. It starts and ends at local stations on East Midlands Railway’s Northern Line. As the route and its railway connection may be revised, check current route and train information before your trip.

Walks along the River Dove pass views of Tutbury Weir. Your choice of route depends on local path conditions. The two named walking routes differ mainly in their described layout: the Tutbury Heritage Walk is a circular route, while the Tutbury & Hatton Rails to Trails Walk is self-guided and starts and ends at local stations. This information can help you match the type of walk to your travel plans, without assuming a particular walking time.

For a history-focused visit, the castle, church, museum and surviving earthworks offer a range of subjects and historical periods. If you would rather spend time outdoors, consider the circular route, the self-guided walk or walks with views of the weir. When planning, allow for possible changes to event dates, train services and local path conditions.

Discover more destinations: Madeley, Alton, Great Haywood, Whittington, Barton Under Needwood, Dunston, Uttoxeter, Leek.

For the broader travel overview: Staffordshire.