With practically 700 miles of shoreline it’s no marvel there are many castles in Devon and Cornwall. The English the Aristocracy of centuries passed by knew you could possibly by no means be too cautious with regards to defending an island.
Apart from a string of formidable fortifications overseeing necessary buying and selling ports, there may be additionally a community of castles inland.
A couple of are nonetheless owned by households who’ve been linked to them for lots of of years. Most are actually very a lot in retirement and a few are a shadow of their former selves. However there are additionally locations the place fort life continues to at the present time.
No matter their destiny, Devon and Cornwall’s castles are nonetheless extremely atmospheric and a number of the most stunning locations in Cornwall. Each historical stone archway and hovering turret has a narrative to inform.
Comply with within the footsteps of West County nobles and defenders by visiting these castles in Devon and Cornwall.
*This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to click on and purchase one thing, I could earn some fee. That is at no additional price to you however helps me cowl the prices of operating this web site. See my privateness coverage and disclosure coverage for extra data.*
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my huge spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
How you can go to these castles
Most are within the safe-keeping of English Heritage. So the canny customer can save a bundle by turning into an English Heritage member, particularly when you go to greater than three of their historic properties in a yr.
Some castles are additionally managed by the Nationwide Belief, which has it’s personal membership scheme.
Okehampton Citadel in West Devon
Now we have William the Conquerer to thank for lots of the castles in England. And Okehampton isn’t any exception.
Development began in 1068 to suppress an rebellion in Mid-Devon. The fort went on to turned the county’s largest fortress underneath the possession of the Courtney household – the Earls of Devon.
Its downfall was by the hands of Henry VIII after Henry Courtney was executed for treason within the sixteenth Century. This was the start of this Devon fort’s decline to destroy.
Nonetheless, tales of Tudor ghosts and the romantic define of its crumbling partitions have made it a well-liked place to go to ever since. Notability the artist JMW Turner portrayed the destroy in his works together with ‘Okehampton, on the Okement’ (1824), which is now within the Tate Britain.
English Heritage members can go to totally free.
Discover out extra about visiting Okehampton Citadel in Devon.
Pendennis Citadel in Falmouth, Cornwall
Henry VIII was the following prolific builder of castles to defend his realm. He commissioned Pendennis Citadel at Falmouth in response to invasion threats from the continent. It was constructed on the mouth of the River Fal, forming a formidable coastal defence with its twin, St Mawes Citadel, on the opposite aspect.
Mockingly, Pendennis’ fortifications had been first examined through the English Civil Warfare of 1646, relatively than towards international foes. It was one of many final strongholds for the forces loyal to King Charles. Layer upon layer of defences had been constructed over the centuries in response to new army threats.
Pendennis’ tunnels, carved into the headland cliffs, and artillery had been up to date proper up till the Second World Warfare. Coaching continued within the barracks till 1956 when the fort was lastly decommissioned.
As we speak it’s taken care of by English Heritage and is an eerie place to go to. If you happen to step contained in the cliff prime remark station and air raid shelter, it appears like they’ve solely not too long ago been vacated by troops stationed right here.
English Heritage members can go to totally free.
Discover out extra about visiting Pendennis Citadel close to Falmouth, Cornwall.
Compton Citadel close to Paignton
Compton is a Devon Citadel nonetheless related to its ancestral house owners. It has been dwelling to the Gilbert household for practically 600 years, together with Sir Humphrey Gilbert – half-brother to the English Naval hero and favorite of Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh.
Compton is three miles from the English Riviera and was initially constructed as a manor home within the fifteenth Century. It was quickly fortified towards the specter of French raids with a excessive curtain wall, towers and portcullis that stay as we speak. These had been by no means utilized in anger.
Compton Citadel is now taken care of by the Nationwide Belief and, because the Gilbert household remains to be in residence, is simply open a couple of months annually. If you happen to time your go to proper, you may wander across the medieval kitchen, nice corridor, photo voltaic and sub photo voltaic sitting rooms, in addition to the formal gardens and orchard.
Discover out extra about visiting Compton Citadel in South Devon.
Powderham Citadel close to Exeter, Devon
Powderham is one other South Devon fort that’s nonetheless occupied. It’s the 600-year-old household dwelling of the Earls of Devon after they left Okehampton.
The fort instructions beautiful views of the Exe Estuary – you may spot it from the railway line from Exeter to Plymouth – and has a wealthy historical past stretching again to the 1300s.
There’s been work to adapt this historical residence for contemporary dwelling, however you may nonetheless discover secret doorways, unimaginable marbled halls, winding staircases and opulent sitting rooms.
Powderham can be a enjoyable Devon fort for households to go to, with a small animal farm, a play fort, a deer safari and falconry reveals within the college holidays.
Discover out extra about visiting Powderham Citadel close to Exeter.
St Michael’s Mount, Marazion in Cornwall
St Michael’s Mount needs to be one among Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks, together with Lands Finish and the Eden Venture. It’s additionally the setting for a widely known fable that everybody will know from their childhood – Jack and the Beanstalk or Jack the Large Killer.
Legend has it {that a} large constructed the Mount and would wade ashore to feast on the native farmers’ flocks. Someday Jack from Marazion, the village reverse St Michael’s Mount, set off to sleigh the enormous. He dug a pit half method up the mount and sounded his horn. The enormous got here operating and fell into the outlet, which Jack rapidly crammed.
If you happen to cross the causeway and stroll up the cobbled hill in the direction of the fort there’s a heart-shaped stone which, is alleged to mark the spot when the enormous fell.
The fort on the prime of St Micheal’s Mount was initially a monastery. If you’re questioning if it has hyperlinks to Mont St Michael in Normandy you’d be proper. It was constructed by the identical monks – not the enormous.
As we speak it’s the household dwelling of the St Aubyns. There are many historic curiosities inside together with a figment of a coat worn by Napoleon on the Battle of Waterloo.
Discover out extra about visiting St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
Totnes Citadel in Devon
This Citadel sits above the bohemian South Devon city of Totnes and dates again to the eleventh Century. William the Conquerer initially constructed it utilizing timber. This was changed with the stone Bailey you may see as we speak on the flip of the 14th Century.
It’s now among the best preserved Norman motte and bailey castles in England.
It doesn’t take lengthy to discover Totnes Citadel, however is a good addition to wandering across the city’s impartial retailers and riverside. You possibly can climb the motte, admire the views down the River Dart and picnic within the fort partitions.
English Heritage members can go to totally free.
Discover out extra about visiting Totnes Citadel in Devon.
Tintagel Citadel in Cornwall
A visit to Cornwall wouldn’t be full with out looking for out one among its most well-known legends: King Arthur. It’s mentioned he was born at Tintagel Citadel, which now stands in ruins on the cliffs of Tintagel Island.
In actuality, the fort was constructed within the thirteenth Century – nicely after the supposed reign of King Arthur – however let’s not let details get in the way in which of a very good fairy story.
There are nonetheless the stays of buildings courting again to the fifth Century when Cornwall’s kings had robust holds right here.
A should for any fan of the Arthur legends is an image with the moody, bronze sculpture that guards the headland.
There’s two routes to achieve the island – a foot bridge or a set of steep steps lower into the cliffs. Be ready for all weathers because the headline is extraordinarily uncovered. The repay is unimaginable views of the craggy North Cornwall shoreline.
Discover out extra about visiting Tintagel Citadel on the north Cornwall coast.
Berry Pomeroy Citadel close to Totnes in Devon
Go to Berry Pomeroy on a misty morning and also you’d be forgiven for being spooked. This fifteenth Century destroy is alleged to be one among Devon’s most haunted locations. There’s an audio tour that tells you all of the ghostly tales.
Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector to Henry VIII’s solely reliable son, began constructing an Elizabethan mansion throughout the fort partitions in 1560. The plan was for it to be the grandest in Devon. Nevertheless it was by no means accomplished and was in the end deserted by the 18th Century.
Regardless of now being a destroy, you may nonetheless stroll by way of the Nice Corridor and discover the primary ground of the medieval gatehouse the place there’s a preserved wall portray. This depicts the three sensible males visiting Bethlehem and is believed to have been used as a backdrop for a chapel alter.
English Heritage members can go to totally free.
Discover out extra about visiting Berry Pomeroy Citadel in Devon.
Dartmouth Citadel in South Devon
The salty stays of Dartmouth Citadel cling to the cliffs above the doorway to the River Dart in South Devon. In contrast to many English castles, it has by no means been dwelling to kings or courtiers. Nevertheless it has performed an necessary position in defending the close by port of Dartmouth for the reason that 14th Century.
Over the centuries, towers and batteries had been added to the fortifications. A sequence may be drawn throughout the river mouth between Dartmouth Citadel and Kingswear to cease unwelcome vessels getting into.
As we speak you may go to the fort’s battery, casemates and gun tower the place troops had been stationed periodically proper up till the Second World Warfare.
Certainly one of this fort’s best possible options are the panoramic views over the ocean and down the River. Stand on the highest of the gun tower and also you’ll be capable to see the Britannia Royal Naval Faculty perched on the hill above Dartmouth.
English Heritage members can go to totally free.
Discover out extra about visiting Dartmouth Citadel.
Caerhays Citadel in Cornwall
Caerhays is a relative newcomer with regards to Cornish castles. It was designed by common architect John Nash in 1805. The mission price a lot that the Trevanion household who commissioned it ran out of money earlier than it was completed.
Fortunately it was rescued by the Williams household 150 years in the past. It has remained within the household and is now a personal residence that’s open from mid-February to mid-June.
The fort and 140 acre woodland gardens overlook Porthluney Cove on the south coast. It’s a paradise for horticulturalists with a set of Chinese language vegetation that had been purchased right here as early because the 1870s.
Discover out extra about visiting Caerhays Citadel in Cornwall.
FAQs about castles in Devon and Cornwall
The final fort inbuilt Devon and the most recent in the entire of England is Citadel Drogo on the sting of Dartmoor. It was constructed between 1911 and 1931 for Julius Drewe, a self-made meals retailing millionaire.
English Heritage and Nationwide Belief properties have household trails and college vacation actions. If you happen to’re searching for much more enjoyable than that pay a go to to North Devon’s Watermouth Citadel which features a household enjoyable park with rides and leisure
Extra locations to go to in Devon and Cornwall
If you’re inquisitive about extra locations to go to than castles in Devon and Cornwall then I can advocate trying out my Devon with Children web site and these different posts right here on Tin Field Traveller:
Need extra concepts for household holidays and days out? Learn my suggestions for smashing household journey and join my publication.