Dudley Castle was built by the Normans. Providing protection since
around 1071 the castle saw many changes over the centuries. The infamous
John Dudley rebuilt the castle in the Renaissance style only to be
beheaded by Queen Mary for trying to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne
of England.
The civil war came and went with Dudley Castle having supported
the Royalist cause and surrendering in 1646 after the defeat of
Charles I at Naseby. In 1750 a fire all but destroyed the accommodation
at Dudley Castle. The fire is said to have burned for three days.
The huge expense of restoration left the family with no choice but
to move to nearby Himley Hall. The descendents of the family founded
Dudley
Zoo in 1937.
As you walk round the grounds of the ruined castle, with its spectacular
views across the Black Country, a sudden screeching of a parakeet
reminds you how well the zoo has blended with the historic remains
of the old castle that has now become home to dozens of animals
from around the globe.
For information on Dudley Zoo just
click here or to go back to the main Dudley page
click here
