Upton Cressett Hall

The Cressett family became Lords of Upton by marriage in the late 14th century. The hall was built on the site of an earlier house for Hugh (or Hugo) Cressett, a Royal Commissioner in the Welsh Marches and Constable of Mortimer Castle. Hugh and his son Robert were both in turn High Sheriff of Shropshire. Originally the house was timber framed with a great hall, a solar wing and a cross-wing. In 1580 the house was substantially remodelled by Richard Cressett, the High Sheriff of Shropshire for 1584, who encased the building in brick, added large brick chimneystacks and by creating a false ceiling in the great hall allowed the creation of first-floor rooms.

The Gatehouse dates from the 16th century. It has been completely renovated and is let on short-term rentals. It has been occupied at one time or another by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, King Edward V, Charles I, Margaret Thatcher, Boris Johnson, Sir John Betjeman and Elizabeth Hurley.