Dartmouth Castle (14 min) 01803 833588
English Heritage
Jutting out at the entrance to the Dart estuary, this well-positioned castle was one of the earliest in England specifically designed to carry guns. Construction began in the late 15th century when the local merchants felt vulnerable to possible invasion, and wanted a way to protect their warehouses and cargoes. Basically, Dartmouth Castle consists of a round tower, built mainly of limestone rubble, and a square tower constructed of slate.
The round tower was built first but, prior to its completion, work commenced on the square tower which explains possibly why slate was used for the upper parts of the round tower when the two were joined together. Gun platforms stretch out from either side of the towers.
With seven gunports in the sea facing walls of the square tower, and four slits for muskets and three lower gun ports housed in the round tower, the rather cramped basement area of the towers was dedicated to the use of defence weapons. There is an entrance to the castle in the square tower at ground level and, inside, the openings for handguns can still be seen. In the round tower, a timber-framed opening is located in the wall towards
Totnes Castle (25 min) 01803 864406
English Heritage
Situated on a promontory, commanding the River Dart, Totnes Castle was built by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet. Earliest surviving parts of the castle date from the 11th century, in the form of earth works surrounding the site, with a later motte and bailey castle being constructed on the built-up earthworks.
The stone work of the castle that has survived is likely to have been built over the framework of previous timber fortifications, as was common practice of this period. During the 13th century the large, circular shell keep was built on top of the motte, but was reconstructed at the beginning of the 14th century when other renovation work was carried out, including the rebuilding of the entrance arch and stairways within the thickness of the walls.
Some small-scale additional work took place at a later date. This circular stone keep stands to parapet height even today, and remains almost complete with the various shaped arrow slits visible around the top. Moreover, within the shell keep, stone foundations of a square tower have also survived.
Berry Pomeroy Castle (32 min) 01803 866618 English Heritage
On a wooded hill, close to the River Dart in southern Devon, lie the unusual remains of Berry Pomeroy Castle. This site was first occupied by the Pomeroy family during the 11th century, and throughout its inhabitation, the castle has been in the ownership of only one other person - Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector during the reign of King Edward VI.
The Pomeroys built the original medieval castle during the 12th century, and continued to undertake work on the castle until the 15th century when a substantial programme of work was carried out to restore and replace much of the original building. On a wall in the eastern tower of the Gatehouse, it is possible to see a wall-painting dating from this period. Berry Pomeroy Castle was sold to Edward Seymour during the 16th century, who had elaborate plans for the castle, which were continued by his son.
Although many of the grand designs were incorporated into a wing of state rooms containing exceptional Renaissance work, his ideas were never fully executed and the work remained unfinished. Situated in front of the Seymour Wing, a five-bayed Loggia connected the staircase towers, a feature paralleled at Old Somerset House in London. The Seymour family deserted the site during the 17th century and from that moment in time the buildings were left to deteriorate, and fall into the ruinous state as they appear today. Despite this, the castle has remained in the possession of the Seymours.
Throughout the substantial remains, there is much evidence of different building styles and materials which suggests that many structural alterations were made to the original castle during its habitable life. Both the Pomeroy and Seymour families have left their stamp on this intriguing mix of medieval castle and lavishly detailed mansion.
Even if your interests do not necessarily encompass the historical or architectural aspects of a castle, Berry Pomeroy is located in such beautiful surroundings that you cannot fail to be impressed.
Compton Castle (40 min) 01803 875740
National Trust
Dramatic fortified manor house. Fairy tale castle hidden in a lush south Devon valley. A medley of fortified towers, battlements and buttresses. 600 year old home of the Gilbert family, kindred of Sir Walter Raleigh. Delightful flowering gardens enclosed by a stone curtain wall. The Great Kitchen offers a unique insight into medieval domestic life. Film location for 'Sense and Sensibility', (1995)
Crownhill Fort (65 min) 01752 793754
There is only really one way to discover Crownhill Fort and that is to visit it for your self! Before you do however this potted history may whet your appetite and help you plan your visit. Crownhill Fort was designed by Capt.E.F. Du Cane as the principal, and largest, fort of Plymouth's North-Eastern Defences, designed to defend the Royal Dockyard at Devonport from an attack by the French from the north of the city.
Designed and built as one of the country's later Palmerston forts, Crownhill represented the cutting edge of fortress design in the theory, and materials, used in its construction. It was constructed on a knoll 400 metres in front of the defensive line and as this was an exposed position, the Fort is designed for all round defence unlike that of any other fort in the Plymouth defences. The Fort has seven sides, all with massive ramparts, surrounded by a deep dry ditch with each flank defended by gunfire from projecting caponiers.
Powderham Castle (77 min) 01626 890243
Built over 600 years ago, Powderham Castle is the historic home of the Earl of Devon. The Castle is still lived in by the Courtenay family and is one of England's best known Stately Homes. The Castle lies in a beautiful setting in an ancient deer park alongside the River Exe and is at the centre of a large traditional estate of about 4,000 acres.
The Castle is open to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors between Easter and October every year and is also exclusively available for private and corporate functions such as dinners, board meetings, dances and balls. The Castle is also approved and licensed for the holding of Civil Marriage Ceremonies and is very popular for wedding receptions.
August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday sees the Castle under siege with the Battle of Powderham Castle by the English Civil War Society. Enjoy a full day of thrilling activities as you step back in time, wonder through the fascinating living history encampments and experience life in the 17th Century. The deafening thunder of hooves and roar of cannon fire as over 1000 soldiers, cavalry and artillery proceed into exciting combat to re-create the fierce and bloody siege of 1645.
Gates open at 10am activities start from 10.30am leading up to the main battle at 2pm.The grounds play host to events large and small and the Estuary, which forms part of the Estate, has space for those looking for yacht moorings. Above all Powderham has a unique atmosphere, combining beauty, tranquility and history, which those who visit the Castle, for whatever reason, will remember for a long time afterwards, and sometimes for the rest of their lives.
Castle Drogo (81 min) 01647 433306
English Heritage
The 'last castle to be built in England', dramatically situated above the Teign Gorge. Having been aware of Sir Edwin Lutyens' recent remodelling of Lindisfarne Castle, Drewe secured the services of this outstanding architect to design his own dream castle. Lutyens, better known for his inspired memorials, and elaborate restoration of stately homes, accepted this strange commission but remained unconvinced about Drewe's ideas for a modern 'medieval' castle.
Despite any earlier misgivings, Lutyens became inspired with this challenge and, during his long journeys to India, where he was supervising the building of the Viceroy's house; he would spend hours mulling over the plans for Castle Drogo. After many amendments to the original design, the house was finally completed in 1931, the same year that Julius Drewe died. Dramatic views over Dartmoor. Highest National Trust garden at 900 feet. Play croquet on the lawn.
Bickleigh Castle (98 min) 01884 855 363
Our 14th Century castle nestles in a valley with 30 acres of lush green land stretching out around it. The River Exe runs through the land offering you the chance to fish or just sit and listen as the river makes its way back to the sea.
This is an opportunity not only to be close to nature but to almost touch history: our chapel was built only 30 years after the Normans landed in Britain in the 11th Century and stands intact today as probably the oldest 'living' building in Devon. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Bickleigh Castle, this jewel in the heart of the Devon countryside.
Oakhampton Castle (100 min) 01837 52844
English Heritage
Okehampton presents a good example of why it was important to consider carefully the location of a castle. The site has steep slopes to the south, providing a natural defence, and the added probability of waterlogged fields to slow down any hostile approaches, and on the northern side there was a wide stream. Norman times saw much violence, and the castle had to be a strong fortification with effective defence barriers surrounding it.
Although any substantial documentation about the castle's history is non-existent, there is a mention in the Doomsday Book of the first castle to be built at Okehampton, by the Sheriff of Devon, during the late 11th century. This took the form of a motte, or raised mound, with rock-cut ditches around it, which provided the building materials for a stone tower or keep.
Few traces of the original castle have survived, but the motte, sporting the fragmentary remains of the 14th century rebuilding of the keep, still tends to dominate the site.
Please note: The information on this web site is intended as a guide only. We cannot accept responsibility for any inaccurate, misleading or incomplete information about any Business and its facilities or services.
