Discover Fillongley: Castle History and Wine

Fillongley combines striking evidence of medieval history with winegrowing and tastings. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment and wanting not just a place to stay but a distinct travel focus will find two very different themes here: the castle landscape of Castle Yard and Castle Hills, as well as Blabers Hall Wine Estate with vineyard tours and tastings. This allows you to tailor the trip to your family’s interests, combining historical discoveries with enjoyable experiences.

Castle Yard: Ringwork Castle on the Edge of the Village

Castle Yard lies on the southern edge of Fillongley and comprises the remains of the masonry and earthworks of a ringwork castle and its associated bailey. The combination of surviving stone remains and landscape features makes the site an engaging subject for anyone who wants to learn about history through more than just dates. Castle Yard is also one of only two known examples of this type of monument in Warwickshire.

Its historical significance dates back to the early 12th century. From that time, Castle Yard was inhabited by the Hastings family and served as their principal residence in Warwickshire. The visible remains therefore represent not only a castle complex but also the former principal residence of the Hastings family. Families may find it interesting to discuss this information together before visiting and to look out on site for the differences between masonry and earthworks.

Castle Hills and the Traces of the Medieval Landscape

Another historical highlight is Castle Hills. The monument is regarded as a well-preserved example of a motte-and-bailey castle. In addition to the motte-and-bailey castle, it also includes an area of arable farming in ridge-and-furrow patterns. Castle Hills therefore shows not only the form of a medieval fortification but also preserves traces of the land’s earlier use.

These two elements offer different topics for discussion while you are out and about: the castle focuses attention on medieval defence and settlement history, while the ridge-and-furrow patterns turn the focus towards historical agriculture. If you are travelling with children, you can make the discovery more varied by looking together for the visible shapes in the landscape and explaining the terms motte, bailey and arable farming.

Wine Tradition at Blabers Hall Wine Estate

Another side of Fillongley is revealed by Blabers Hall Wine Estate. It was founded when Adele and Clarke Adams planted the first vines at their home in Fillongley. This beginning developed into a place offering vineyard tours and tastings. The visit therefore creates a deliberate contrast with the medieval monuments: instead of castle complexes and earthworks, the focus is on vines, winegrowing and tasting together.

When planning your trip, you can therefore consider which combination suits your group. If the enjoyment aspect is more important, Blabers Hall Wine Estate can be the main focus.

Further Destination Pages for Your Planning

For more travel ideas, you can also visit Leamington Spa, Atherstone, Kineton, Halford, Marton, Kenilworth, Ratley and Wishaw. This allows you to compare different destination pages and then decide which place best matches your preferred balance of culture, history and enjoyment.

For the higher-level travel overview: Warwickshire.