Image: Courtesy of PJMarriott via Wikimedia Commons
Stokesay Court, famous for its appearance in the 2007 film Atonement (dir. Joe Wright), is situated in the beautiful Shropshire countryside. The picturesque manor house and parts of the grounds were used during filming to represent various areas of the Tallis family home in the award-winning adaptation of Ian McEwan’s well-known novel.
Stokesay Court was purchased by John Derby-Allcroft in 1867 and by 1892 he had bought the adjoining estate, expanded and completed renovations on Stokesay, making it a much larger and grander property than it was before. The estate overlooks Ludlow and the Clee Hills and its gardens encourage you to really explore. A range of different outdoor areas and gardens introduce you to a wonderful collection of plants and flowers, picturesque vistas, sweeping lawns and ornamental pools.
To visit the estate you can book a private tour that will allow you to discover the Victorian interiors, stunning architecture and provide more of an insight to the filming of Atonement. You’ll get to see all the more famous areas that are instantly recognisable from the film, as well as some of the bedrooms, the service wing and old kitchens.
During the First World War, the house acted as an auxiliary military hospital for soldiers, and during the Second World War it was a temporary home for evacuated students. As you tour the house you can visit the archive room where there are various exhibitions describing the history of the house and its residents.
Tours must be booked in advance and they cost £16 per person. You can find full information of the tours on the website here. You’ll get to explore the gardens and grounds as well. There is a stunning, privately owned walled garden that you might get the opportunity to visit for an additional price and subject to availability. Find out more about it here.
For the true Atonement fans, there is an open day on September 3rd 2017 to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the film’s release. You’ll be able to tour the grounds and see a number of filming locations such as the lake and the fountain. You’ll get to go into the Great Hall and see some special Atonement exhibitions before enjoying tea and cake in the dining room. Tickets are £10 and help to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Signal. Book tickets or find other upcoming events at Stokesay Court here.
Upper Norton is less that 10 minutes from Stokesay Court by car. So don’t miss out on a visit there. Find out how to stay at Upper Norton by clicking below.
