STOKESAY Castle near Ludlow has been shortlisted in the Heritage Site of the Year category of the Countryfile Magazine Awards.

The winner will be chosen by a public vote, which closes on January 31.

Stokesay Castle has been selected alongside Hadrian’s Wall, Dunluce Castle, Whitby, and Wrexham’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct as one of the country’s finest historic sites. The shortlist has been chosen by Countryfile presenter John Craven who describes Stokesay as his ‘favourite little gem of the middle ages’.

It’s not hard to see why John was so taken with Stokesay Castle. It is the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England, and has remained largely unchanged for 700 years.

It was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who at the time was one of the richest men in England. Today Stokesay is cared for by English Heritage, and is one of the most picturesque places in the country.

The Countryfile Magazine Awards annually celebrate the best of the countryside, from Britain’s greatest nature reserve to the landmark of the year. Nominations for each category are put forward by experts, before winners are decided in a public vote.

To vote for Stokesay Castle as your Heritage Site of the Year visit http://www.countryfile.com/awards2015-16. Voting closes on January 31.

Stokesay Castle is open at weekends throughout the winter, and all week over the February half-term.