Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lydford-castle-and-saxon-town/">Lydford Castle</a>, Lydford: the free roadside one</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle.jpg" alt="Lydford Castle and sign, Devon" class="wp-image-57569" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/lydford-castle-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dog-friendly Lydford Castle is easily visible for a drive-by and (you can park on the road if you&#8217;re lucky) for a quick mooch around to see the 13th century tower, used to jail offenders against the local stannary/tax laws. The stunning Lydford Gorge with its 30m waterfall and swirling Devil&#8217;s Cauldron is just down the road, so good for tick-boxer of a day trip.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watermouth-castle-ilfracombe-the-one-with-theme-park-rides"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Watermouth Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.watermouthcastle.com" target="_blank">Watermouth Castle</a>, Ilfracombe: the one with theme park rides</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-45230" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/watermouth-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Watermouth Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>This delightfully old-fashioned castle (actually a Grade II listed 19th century home built to look like a castle rather than a real one) is as much a quirky collection of Victorian memorabilia and heirlooms as a theme park, with smugglers&#8217; tunnels, crazy gold and a maze to explore. The rides belong to a more charming era too. Think carousels, swing boats, erm&#8230;Gnome Land, a 250m downhill ride, Thunder Luge Toboggan and &#8211; one for hot days &#8211; Water Wars. Soak the sprogs and they think it&#8217;s a game! <em>Check here for <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="opening times (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.watermouthcastle.com/prices/" target="_blank">opening times</a>, £17, children under 92cm free.</em> <em>No dogs except guide dogs.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-totnes-castle-one-for-townies"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Totnes Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/totnes-castle/" target="_blank">Totnes Castle</a>: one for townies</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="425" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31091" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero-300x128.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero-720x306.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero-768x326.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/totnes-hero-900x383.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Totnes Castle, English Heritage</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy a leg stretcher? Go here. It&#8217;s a steep gradient to scale the grassy sides of this classic motte and bailey castle but worth it for the views over the town from the battlements. And those helpful Medievals built it  just off Totnes&#8217; delightful indie-packed high street so it&#8217;s perfect for packing off the other half with the kids while you rootle through the rails. Also, it&#8217;s THE place to take kids needing a real-life brush with history to bring their school coursework to life. <em>Open 10am-5pm daily, free to English Heritage members; adults £6; children £4; dogs on leads welcome.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dartmouth-castle-for-big-guns"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dartmouth Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dartmouth-castle/" target="_blank">Dartmouth Castle</a>: for big guns</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/dartmouth-englishheritage.jpg" alt="Dartmouth Castle English Heritage " class="wp-image-68729" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/dartmouth-englishheritage.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/dartmouth-englishheritage-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/dartmouth-englishheritage-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/dartmouth-englishheritage-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Dartmouth Castle, English Heritage</figcaption></figure>



<p>Shiver me timbers! Here&#8217;s a 600 year-old stone fortress built to defend the harbour town from pirates and invaders with heavy cannon, a fun tower and creepy passageways where kids can try on costumes and generally run riot. Just a short, and always stunning, stroll along the River Dart from the town, there is loads to do around, including boat trips, crabbing off the harbour wall, gallery shopping and lovely walks. A castle to build your day around for sure. <em>Free to English Heritage members. Adults £9; children £5.40</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-castle-drogo-drewsteignton-the-great-pretender"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Castle Drogo (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo" target="_blank">Castle Drogo</a>, Drewsteignton: the great pretender</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1123" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Aerial-view-of-the-Castle-Drogo-after-the-major-conservation-project-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson.jpg" alt="Castle Drogo James Dobson " class="wp-image-68716" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Aerial-view-of-the-Castle-Drogo-after-the-major-conservation-project-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Aerial-view-of-the-Castle-Drogo-after-the-major-conservation-project-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Aerial-view-of-the-Castle-Drogo-after-the-major-conservation-project-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Aerial-view-of-the-Castle-Drogo-after-the-major-conservation-project-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit National Trust /James Dobson</figcaption></figure>



<p>Its name may sound like something from a Bram Stoker novel but this is no olde-world castle, rather a lookalike built at the beginning of the last century, the last to be built in England in fact *checks notes*. The castlements were hidden under scaffolding for years due to an in-built design fault caused by architect Edwin Lutyens&#8217; flat roof, but the covers are now off, the beautiful gardens are in full bloom, and it has all the National Trust temptations you&#8217;d expect, including a cafe, NT shop and fun kids&#8217; trails (and Teign Gorge walks). Guaranteed fun for all. <em>Grounds ands cafe open. Free to national Trust members.</em> <em>Adult £13; child £6.50.</em> <em>Dogs on leads.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rougemont-castle-exeter-the-lark-in-the-park"><a href="https://www.exetercastle.uk/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Rougemont Castle (opens in a new tab)">Rougemont Castle</a>, Exeter: the lark in the park</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="931" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31106" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped-300x279.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped-537x500.jpg 537w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped-768x715.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/1200px-Rougemont_Castle_gatehouse_2010_cropped-564x525.jpg 564w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Rougemont Gardens are a breath of fresh air in the city and a welcome escape from the high street on busy days. The gatehouse is a good starting point for a walk around the old city walls, 70% of which still remain with parts dating back over 2000 years. Look for the memorial plaque to the poor old witches hanged here in the 1600s by the gatehouse. <em>Free.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiverton-castle-unstuffy-fun-for-kids-and-garden-geeks"><a href="http://www.tivertoncastle.com/castlevisits_Main.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Tiverton Castle (opens in a new tab)">Tiverton Castle</a>: unstuffy fun for kids (and garden geeks)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31088" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/tiverton-castle-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Tiverton Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>Tucked away just off the town centre, Tiverton Castle may be a royal fortress commissioned in 1106 by Henry I but its human scale means the front half looks like you could live here. It&#8217;s got towers, turrets and tunnels and is wonderfully unstuffy for kids, with the chance to try on some English Civil War Armour and feel the weight of a real canon ball *mind your&#8230;oh*. The rose-strewn ruins in the beautifully tended gardens are like something out of <em>Sleeping Beauty</em>. Very romantic indeed. <em>Adults £10; children £5, under 7s free.</em> <em>Garden only £2.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powderham-castle-kenton-a-grand-day-out-with-a-cream-tea"><a href="https://www.powderham.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Powderham Castle (opens in a new tab)">Powderham Castle</a>, Kenton: a grand day out with a cream tea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31089" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/powderham-castle-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Powderham Castle </figcaption></figure>



<p>Unusually for castles theses days, Powderham is still family-owned and feels like it, with an ancestral history back to the 14th century. It&#8217;s very picturesque with fallow deer in the park, a lake with picnic tables, and stunning views across the deer park to the Exe estuary from the rose garden behind. The inside tours are excellent, as is the cream tea in the castle courtyard cafe, and it&#8217;s well worth a meander up the grand drive to the farm shop for local meat and deli goodies. <em>Grounds open from Fri 2 April.</em> <em>Adults £12.95; children £10.95, under 5s free. Dogs on leads welcome.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berry-pomeroy-near-totnes-the-spooooooky-one"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Berry Pomeroy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berry-pomeroy-castle/" target="_blank">Berry Pomeroy</a>, near Totnes: the <em>spooooooky</em> one</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="994" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/berrypomeroy-englishheritage.jpg" alt="Berry Pomeroy English Heritage " class="wp-image-68730" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/berrypomeroy-englishheritage.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/berrypomeroy-englishheritage-800x530.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/berrypomeroy-englishheritage-1000x663.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/berrypomeroy-englishheritage-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credit: Berry Pomeroy, English Heritage</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you love spooky ruins and gruesome tales of people thrown to their deaths in the dungeon go to Berry Pomeroy. Even on a sunny day, the place can gives you a shiver, even without the blood-curdling details of the free audio tour guide. Highly recommended. <em>Grounds open 10am-5pm. Free to English Heritage members.</em> <em>Adults £7.80; children £4.70.</em> <em>Dogs on leads welcome</em>; toilets currently closed in 2022.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-okehampton-castle-the-county-s-biggest"><strong><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/okehampton-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Okehampton Castle (opens in a new tab)">Okehampton Castle</a>: the county&#8217;s biggest</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/okehampton-englishheritage.jpg" alt="Okehampton Castle English Heritage " class="wp-image-68733" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/okehampton-englishheritage.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/okehampton-englishheritage-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/okehampton-englishheritage-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/okehampton-englishheritage-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit English Heritage </figcaption></figure>



<p>A ruinous 12th century motte and bailey castle with just enough of its remains left to bring its history to life. Plus, a free audio guide, awesome views and lovely wooded and riverside walks around (it&#8217;s the biggest but still won&#8217;t take that long to beat the bounds). Keep your wits about you as rumour hath it a sad Victorian ghost called Lady Howard haunts this place driving a carriage of bones with a red-eyed dog at her side. Yikes. <em>Grounds open. Free to English Heritage members.</em> <em>Adults £6.60; children £4.</em></p>


Man the forts! Top Devon castles

You may also like