Powderham Castle

Om museet

Powderham Castle was built soon after 1390, probably by Sir Philip Courtenay, a son of the 2nd Earl of Devon, and the Courtenay family have lived on the estate ever since. The family's story is linked to events such as the Crusades, the Battle of Agincourt, the Wars of the Roses and the Civil War. In 1455 the 5th Earl of Devon besieged the castle for about two months in a feud with a rival family, and in January 1646 a Royalist garrison was forced out by Parliamentary troops. The building was badly damaged and stood partly open to the weather until Sir William Courtenay repaired it in the early 1700s.

The castle was altered over about six centuries. In the 18th century the surrounding landscape was opened up towards the Exe Estuary and the Marble Hall was completed in 1755. In the 19th century the architect Charles Fowler designed the gatehouse (1845–47) and the Victorian dining hall, whose interior was finished in 1860. The castle has been Grade I listed since 1952 and was opened to visitors in the 1950s.

Today visitors can see the state rooms, including the State Dining Room and the Library, with treasures passed down in the family and work by Devon craftsmen. The grounds include the Rose Terrace overlooking the estuary and the deer park, a 7-acre American Garden with a Gothic Pavilion, woodland walks and a Victorian walled garden that is being restored.

Højdepunkter

• State rooms including the State Dining Room and the Library
• Marble Hall of 1755 and the Victorian dining hall
• Family treasures and work by Devon craftsmen
• Rose Terrace overlooking the Exe Estuary and the deer park
• American Garden with Gothic Pavilion
• Woodland walk to the Belvedere Tower

Permanente udstillinger

• State rooms – The historic rooms of the castle, including the State Dining Room and the Library, with family treasures handed down by the Courtenays.
• Gardens and grounds – The 7-acre American Garden, the Rose Terrace overlooking the estuary and deer park, and woodland walks to the Belvedere Tower.

Ejer

Powderham Estate (Courtenay family)

Entrépriser & rabatter

Gratis entré: Under-16s enter free on Sundays, except during school holidays

Prices are for general admission to the castle and grounds, bought through the castle's online shop. Under-5s are free.

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig: ingen oplysninger
• Elevator: ingen oplysninger
• Handicaptoilet: ingen oplysninger
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt: ingen oplysninger
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

An all-terrain mobility scooter, the Tramper, can be hired in partnership with Countryside Mobility; it should be booked in advance and needs Countryside Mobility membership, photo ID and proof of address. Staff are available on the day to help with additional needs, and visitors can email the team with questions before they visit. Stone tracks on the woodland walks help accessibility, but the paths can be slippery.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops
• Opgavehæfte, skattejagt eller audioguide for børn

Under-5s are free and under-16s enter free on Sundays outside school holidays. The Little Lords and Ladybirds Trail is an indoor hunt through the state rooms, and an outdoor augmented-reality Pollination Trail with nine installations suits ages 4 and up and takes 30 to 60 minutes; the app must be downloaded beforehand.

Transport & parkering

The castle is a few minutes from the M5 and A38; sat nav postcode EX6 8JQ. The Exe Estuary Cycle Trail (NCN2) runs through the Deer Park to the gates, bike racks are at the Welcome Centre, and cyclists are asked not to ride through the gardens.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museumsbutik

The Shepherd's Hut in the courtyard serves drinks, cakes and light lunches and is being rebuilt as a new café. The Potting Shed offers cream teas. Powderham Farm Shop and Bistro is at the end of the drive. Visitors may bring their own picnic.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Firmaarrangementer
• Bryllupper / vielser

The castle offers weddings, parties and corporate hire, and has event grounds.

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