Wilderhope Manor 3.7

Wilderhope Manor is a 16th-century manor house in the care of the National Trust. It is located on Wenlock Edge 7mi south west of Much Wenlock in Shropshire, England. The manor is a Grade I listed building and since the mid 20th century has been used as a youth hostel.History and amenitiesWilderhope Manor is an Elizabethan period manor house, built of local limestone and dating from 1585 when England was enjoying a period of prosperity and stability. The house was built for Francis Smallman and his initials can be seen on the ceilings. The manor remained in the family until 1734 when the estate including the neighbouring Wilderhope farm was sold. It is believed that the manor house was not used as a residence after the sale in 1734 and by 1936 was in a poor state and uninhabited. In 1936 the property was purchased by the WA Cadbury Trust who donated it to the National Trust on condition that it was used as youth hostel. Opening as a youth hostel in 1937, it has remained in use by the Youth Hostels Association since.Despite years of disuse many of the original features such as the oaken stairways, oak spiral stairs and plaster ceilings survived. The adjoining stable block is itself a Grade II listed building.