Narnia-like Hawkstone Park Follies draws autumn visitors with tunnels, caves and dramatic views

Hawkstone Park Follies in Shropshire is drawing visitors with a maze of tunnels, caves and dramatic views that recall a land of fantasy. The 100-acre site centers on the ruins of the medieval Red Castle and features a landscape of rock formations, follies and carved stone stairs that wind through woodland and rhododendron groves. The grounds were used as a filming location in the BBCs 1988 adaptation of the Narnia tale, a connection that helped cement its reputation as a real life fantasy landscape. Today, the park operates for visitors seeking outdoor exploration and scenic overlooks, offering a sense of stepping into a storybook world while preserving historical features.

Visitors trace a fantastical maze of tunnels, caves and stone stairs threaded through rhododendron groves and woodland. Highlights include the Swiss Bridge and its vantage points, a grotto with multiple entrances, and the Cleft, a natural gap in the rock. The grounds are built around the ruins of the medieval Red Castle, which is not open to the public. The scale of the landscape and the mix of built follies with natural features have kept Hawkstone Park Follies a sought-after day-out for hikers and curious travelers alike.

Those hoping to cover the entire park on a single visit should plan around three hours, and comfortable footwear is advised for uneven surfaces. Parking is free, and admission is £10.50 per person. Children four and under are free. A 12-month park pass is available for £31.50. Visitors should arrive between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with the site closing at 5 p.m. The park opens to the public on specific days in September and October, typically Friday through Sunday, and is largely closed for the colder months except for a few selected dates. The grounds around the Red Castle ruin are not accessible to visitors, preserving sensitive areas while allowing access to most trails and monuments.

The saga of Hawkstone Park Follies stretches back to a long period of neglect before a restoration program began in 1990. The grounds were reopened to the public in 1993 and have since earned a Grade I listing on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, reflecting their historical and landscape value. In recent years, the park has balanced preservation with public access, maintaining a network of steps and tunnels that invite exploration while protecting fragile terrain and notable monuments.

The site has continued to attract attention beyond traditional visitors. A travel content creator shared a clip of Hawkstone Park Follies on social media, highlighting its stone stairs, tunnels, dark passages and the surrounding landscape. The video drew tens of thousands of views and sparked a flood of comments praising the park as a must-visit destination for outdoor adventurers and fans of dramatic scenery. The broader online chatter aligns with the park’s own reach as a heritage landscape that also functions as a natural attraction for autumnal strolls and family outings.

Hawkstone Park Follies maintains a strong reception among visitors. On review platforms, it holds a high rating for scenery and walking opportunities, with travelers noting the mix of historic ruin, carved stairways and viewpoints. Reviewers often emphasize the uneven terrain and the presence of steep stairs, underscoring the need for sensible footwear and careful pacing. Amenities around the park include a on-site ice cream hut that operates on a cash-only basis, and picnic benches near The Monument offer spots to rest and enjoy the views. For families and groups, the combination of dramatic panoramas, a historical setting and a relatively accessible day-out continues to position Hawkstone Park Follies as a signature experience in England’s countryside.