Compton Castle
Fortified medieval manor house in Devon, home of the Gilbert family for centuries, with a great hall, chapel, kitchen and gardens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Compton Castle began in the mid-fourteenth century as an undefended manor house with a hall between a solar and service rooms. The Gilbert family took over the house and lived there for nearly six hundred years. In the early sixteenth century John Gilbert added the fortress-like front with towers, loopholes and a portcullis, which gives the house its castle look.
The most famous member of the family was Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who lived at Compton in the sixteenth century. He was the half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh and the coloniser of Newfoundland for Elizabeth I. The family sold the estate in 1785, after which the buildings slowly decayed and the central hall fell into ruin.
In 1931 a descendant of the Gilberts bought the castle back and began to restore it, including rebuilding the great hall. He gave the property to the National Trust in 1951 on condition that members of the family could continue to live there. Visitors today see the great hall, the solar reached by a medieval staircase, the chapel and the medieval kitchen, which stands apart from the main building because of the risk of fire, as well as a medieval-style garden and orchard.
Highlights
- Fortified front with towers, loopholes and portcullises
- Restored great hall with a model of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's ship Squirrel
- Solar, chapel and detached medieval kitchen
- Medieval-style knot garden, rose garden and orchard
- Home of the Gilbert family for almost six centuries
Permanent exhibition
- The castle and its gardens – The great hall, solar, chapel and medieval kitchen of the fortified manor house, with a medieval-style knot garden, rose garden and orchard.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £12 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £6free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 17; under-5s enter free. |
| Families | £30Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children; 1 adult and 2 children costs £18. |
| Family ticket, 1 adult and 2 children | £18 |
Prices are for the whole property, without Gift Aid (adult £13.20 with Gift Aid). National Trust members enter free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor of the castle is accessible, but the paths are uneven and there are steps. The grounds are only partly accessible, with steep slopes, steps and narrow paths. There is a drop-off point in front of the main gates, an accessible toilet and a designated parking space, and a manual wheelchair can be borrowed. Seating is available. Assistance dogs are welcome in the castle, and mobile phone reception is poor.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £30 · Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children; 1 adult and 2 children costs £18. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Families can follow a nature trail, play garden games and try on costumes at the castle.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Marldon
Bus 125 runs from Paignton bus station to Marldon; from the stop it is a 1½ mile walk along narrow country lanes that are steep in places. The nearest railway stations are Torquay (about 4 miles) and Newton Abbot (6 miles).
By car
Free parking
Free but limited visitor parking is at Castle Barton tea room opposite the castle. The car park can get very busy in the morning, and visiting after 2:30pm is suggested. There is a drop-off point in front of the main castle gates. Visitors in motorhomes should phone 01803 843235 before arriving.
- Accessible parking
The castle lies 1½ miles north of Marldon, signposted from the A380 to Marldon, or south from the A381 Totnes road at Ipplepen along 2 miles of country lanes with passing places. Older satellite navigation systems may not recognise the new South Devon Link Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Castle Barton tea room is opposite the castle. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the garden and orchard, and only assistance dogs are allowed in the castle.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
