Shirburn Castle is a Grade I listed, moated castle located at the village of Shirburn, near Watlington, Oxfordshire. Originally constructed in the fourteenth century, it was renovated and remodelled in the Georgian era by Thomas Parker, the first Earl of Macclesfield who made it his family seat, and altered further in the early nineteenth century. The Earls of Macclesfield remained in residence until 2004, and the castle is still (2022) owned by the Macclesfield family company.
Quadrangular castleGrade II listed park and gardenc. 1377
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
▾
🐦55+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Blackcap
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
🐦55+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Blackcap
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
Good to know
🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
9 activities
🦅
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Blackbird, Blackcap, Wren +52 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds
Free
✦
Heritage
Very strong match
Grade I listed building: SHIRBURN CASTLE; Historic site with public access
Free
🦉
Wildlife
Strong match
Birds — Blackbird, Blackcap, Wren +52 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
Free
🦋
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Brimstone, Peacock, Small White +111 more · last seen 2026
Free
🍂
Seasonal nature
Strong match
Plants — Lesser Trefoil, Small-flowered Crane's-bill, Lady's-mantle +73 more · last seen 2022
Free
🐶
Dog walks
Good match
Dogs allowed with public access
Free
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km
🚶
Walking
▾
11 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
The RidgewayWalking route140 km▾
Named routeRef RWLength 140 kmNational walking route
The Chiltern WayWalking route275 km▾
A waymarked long-distance footpath in southern England
Named routeRef CWLength 275 kmRegional walking route
Oxfordshire WayWalking route110 km▾
a traverse of Oxfordshire from the Cotswolds to the Chilterns
Named routeRef OWLength 110 kmRegional walking route
Shakespeare's WayWalking route235 km▾
Named routeLength 235 kmRegional walking route
Beacon Hill, Juniper Bank and Aston Wood Walk, Central ChilternsWalking route7.2 km▾
Starting at Aston Rowant NNR with views of the Oxford Vale, this walk will take you through acres of chalk grassland & wild flowers. Juniper Bank & Aston Wood then offers the chance to spot flowers, butterflies, birds, deer & fungi.
Named routeLength 7.2 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴
Cycling
▾
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
Chilterns CyclewayCycling route▾
Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route
🐴
Horse riding
▾
4 public paths nearby
Public paths
Station Roadbridleway · 684 m▾
Public pathbridlewayLength 684 mSurface asphaltPath type: service
