Meet the Team behind the Castle Walls – Nigel
When visitors wander through the grounds of Ludlow Castle, they may not realise that the carefully maintained spaces owe much to Nigel, our dedicated groundskeeper. Rain or shine, Nigel quietly goes about his work, ensuring the castle looks its very best for everyone who comes to visit. He’s a vital part of our small team, helping to make the castle such a special place to explore.
How long have you been working at Ludlow Castle?
Oh, it’s been about 21 years now – it’s hard to believe, really!
What did you do when you first started?
I actually started part-time. Funnily enough, I got the job while working on a building site nearby. Helen, the custodian of the Castle back then, was looking for someone to help part-time. My first task was driving a forklift through the castle gates to free a scaffold lorry that had got stuck on the green. Talk about an introduction! I also helped out at the Medieval Fayre, gathering up straw for baling at the end.
What’s your favourite job or task at the Castle?
I used to love mowing — it was satisfying to see the grounds looking all neat and green. Someone else handles that now, though, so I get to take on different things. Putting up Christmas trees is always a highlight; it’s a fun job. But overall, my favourite part has always been keeping the grounds looking beautiful. There’s something really rewarding about making the Castle look its best for visitors.
Where’s the best spot at the Castle to sit with a cup of tea?
There’s a bench I like to sit on during lunch in the summer. From there, I can look at the Castle and just marvel at how they built it all those years ago—so precise, even with the tools they had. It’s pretty humbling to think about the people who worked on the castle back then, building and maintaining it – it must have been precarious at times. And to think – here I am, helping look after it nearly a thousand years later. I feel like I’m carrying on their legacies. It’s like being part of a really long story.
Nigel’s dedication is just one example of the hard work and care that makes our small team so special, keeping Ludlow Castle a place for everyone to enjoy.