Friends of Shenstone Tower

16/06/2026

04/06/2026

Open Tower Sunday 7th June 2pm until 4pm. Pop up and see us, we would love to show you our beautiful medieval tower and the view from the rooftop is amazing!

26/05/2026

Prosecco Event at the Tower
Just to be clear there is no need to book for this event, just come to the Tower and hope for good weather! It could be amazing. The area on the hill around the Tower is lovely too and there are a few benches to sit on. So peaceful.

25/05/2026

Prosecco at the Tower
Another date for your diaries, 21st June, the Longest Day, 7.30 to 9pm.
Join us at the Tower for an evening event to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Climb the Tower and enjoy the evening view from the rooftop whilst sipping a glass of Prosecco.
Take time to view the history boards as you climb which take you from Saxon to Victorian times.

Entry free but donations welcome and as always subject to the weather!

09/05/2026

Thanks to Kate at Lichfield Discovered for this lovely post!

Once upon a time the old tower was a ruin, ivy clad and romantic but at real risk of collapse. A friends group was formed and not only saved this iconic Shenstone landmark from falling down but transformed the tower into a shining example of community heritage.

A staircase has been added so you can climb to the top and look out across the Staffordshire countryside. Standing high on this hilltop you get a real sense of why our ancestors believed this place to be sacred. The oldest stonework on site is Saxon but I am convinced that people worshipped at this site long before their arrival.

As you ascend you’ll spot several examples of shoe outlines carved into the lead which once lined the roof. They were probably an 19th century way of saying, ‘I once stood here’ but there’s also a strong chance that there’s some apotropaic magic at work here too. Shoes have long been thought to be lucky and to have magical powers. Our friends at the wonderful Shenstone history society recently told us a shoe had been found hidden on one of the ancient cottages down in the village. As anyone who came to our excellent talk from Brian Hoggard will know, its purpose would have been to protect the household against demons, witches and, possibly, people from Sutton Coldfield.

The tower is open for climbing on the first Sunday of every month between 2pm and 4pm. The friends group have also added boards which tell the story of Shenstone and its church. And, if you’re really lucky, you might catch one of Bronwyn’s excellent graveyard tours where she’ll share the secrets that the headstones of this ancient cemetery hold.

For more information, please do follow the fenomenal Friends of Shenstone Tower on FB

Katie G 🥿

30/04/2026

It's bluebell time again and also time for our May open day at the Tower, Sunday 3rd May 2pm to 4pm.
A date for your diaries. 2026 is festival year for Shenstone and on Sunday 5th July we are having another Teddy Bear Zip Wire Event at the Tower. Of course the Tower will also be open to visitors.

02/04/2026

Open Day Easter Sunday 5th April 2pm to 4pm. An opportunity to bring family and friends to view and climb Shenstone's Medieval Tower on the hill, near to the Victorian St John the Baptist Church which will also be open. The two photos are 121 years apart, 1905 and 2026

24/02/2026

Don't forget folks that the Tower is open on Sunday afternoon, 1st March from 2pm until 4pm. This great photograph was taken by Rosemary while she was up in the churchyard a few weeks ago.

06/02/2026

A reminder that we have moved the monthly opening to the 1st Sunday afternoon in the month. The Tower will not be open tomorrow.

31/01/2026

View of the sunrise at the Tower this morning. Just a reminder that the Tower is open tomorrow, Sunday 1st Feb from 2pm to 4pm and not the first Saturday in the month.