This is historic Stokesay Castle, the best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England.

It was a very blustery day when I visited last week, but the wind died down briefly and I was able to capture this reflection in the still surface of the pool.

To the left is the Church of St John the Baptist, which was badly damaged in the Civil War. It is a rare example of rebuilding during the days of Cromwell’s Commonwealth, which makes it one of Shropshire’s most remarkable churches.

Stokesay Castle is set in peaceful countryside near Craven Arms. It was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, a leading wool merchant who at the time was one of the richest men in England.

Building began in about 1285, and Laurence moved in about six years later. Stokesay Castle proclaimed its creator as a man of great wealth and taste.

Laurence’s descendants remained lords of Stokesay for more than two centuries, living among the Shropshire gentry as respected country squires.