The Clare Town trail...
The Museum has erected 15 information panels on 5 posts around Clare, to explain the buildings and open spaces. The Trail begins in the car park of Clare Country Park. Ask for a map of the trail at the Museum or download a printable copy of the map below.
Town Trail Download 
- Click to download.
Clare Park & Castle
After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror gave his cousin, Richard Fitzgilbert the Manor of Clare. Richard then started building Clare Castle, and became known as Richard de Clare. The ruin of the castle’s stone keep, which was built to protect the surrounding land, still remains today. The spiral path around the motte leads to the keep where beautiful views of historic Clare can be seen.
Clare Priory was founded in 1248 by Richard de Clare. Suppressed in 1538 by Henry VIII's agents, it went into private hands. In 1953 it once again became the home of the Austin Friars. The former Cellarer's hall, shown above, is now its main building.
The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Clare has parts from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The wonderful lightness of its interior once had colourful stained glass windows and wall paintings, destroyed by reformers of later times.
