Devon is full of exciting and fun activities to keep you busy all year round, but one of our favourites for both adults, teens, and children is visiting the local historic castles.
Perfect for either a rainy day or one brimming with sunshine, there are a whole host of castles to satisfy the history buffs or those just wanting to oogle at the beautiful architecture and interiors – and of course plenty of grass for the kids to run around on in the grounds.
Tiverton Castle, Tiverton
No dogs allowed
Tiverton Castle is a beautiful castle originally built in wood in 1106 by order of Henry I, and later rebuilt in stone and enlarged in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The castle was besieged during the English Civil War by General Sir Thomas Fairfax, which is the only time it ever saw battle.
These days the moat is filled in and the surrounding land was sold off many years ago, but there are four acres left providing a peaceful space to wander the pretty gardens once you’ve been through the castle itself.
Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe
No dogs allowed
Watermouth Castle was built in 1825 and is the most child-friendly castle in Devon due to its onsite theme park!
Explore the sprawling Georgian castle and the Victorian antiques it houses, with breathtaking views overlooking the inlet of Watermouth, before taking the kids along to the family theme park in the grounds.
There’s plenty to see and do at Watermouth so if you’re going with children make sure you set aside at least half a day for your visit.
Okehampton Castle, Okehampton
Dogs allowed
Dog-friendly Okehampton Castle was built after the Norman Conquest and was once the largest castle in Devon, but is sadly just ruins now so is best visited on a sunny day.
The castle is part of English Heritage so they offer a fascinating audio tour which brings the castle back to life, and as well as the audio tour and ruins, there’s also a lovely riverside picnic area and beautiful woodland walks nearby ideal for stretching little legs or just being surrounded by nature.
Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton
Dogs allowed in the grounds only
Set within Dartmoor National Park and part of The National Trust, Castle Drogo is a dramatic and vast castle high above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge.
With Grade II listed gardens and an architecturally beautiful exterior, Castle Drogo was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1911 and 1930, and was the last castle to be built in England. It’s also very close to Okehampton Castle, so ideal for combining visits in one day.
Berry Pomeroy Castle, Totnes
Dogs allowed
Part of English Heritage, Berry Pomeroy Castle is a romantic Tudor ruin notorious for being extremely haunted.
It was abandoned in the 1600s until it became a popular tourist attraction in the 19th century due to its picturesque exterior and infamous ghost stories – English Heritage provide a free audio tour giving you an insight into some of these stories.
Totnes Castle and Dartmouth Castle (also English Heritage) are close-by, so once again ideal for combining multiple visits in one day.
Compton Castle, Compton
Dogs allowed in the grounds only
Located in the village of Compton and close to Torquay, Compton Castle (not to be confused with another Compton Castle in Somerset) is a Grade I listed dramatic fortified manor house with a small formal garden, owned by The National Trust.
The castle was built in the 1400s and has famous connections to Sir Humphrey Gilbert and his half brother Sir Walter Raleigh, and in more modern times it was used as a filming location in the 1995 film, Sense and Sensibility, so is an ideal trip for any Jane Austen fans.
