CASTLES TOTNES

Totnes Castle rises prominently above the Devon market town of Totnes, one of the finest surviving examples of Norman motte-and-bailey architecture in England. Founded around 1087 by Judhael de Totnes, the castle features an exceptionally well-preserved man-made mound topped with a stone shell keep dating to approximately 1219. The elevated position provides commanding views across the town, the River Dart, and toward Dartmoor. The castle saw no major sieges or military conflicts throughout its medieval history, gradually declining after the 16th century. Today, interactive displays and immersive audio tours guide visitors through centuries of peaceful habitation and architectural evolution.

Berry Pomeroy Castle near Totnes blends medieval military architecture with an ambitious Tudor vision, creating a uniquely layered historic site. The original 15th-century castle built by the Pomeroy family was dramatically transformed when the Duke of Somerset began constructing a magnificent Elizabethan mansion within its walls, featuring one of England's grandest planned galleries. The overambitious project remained unfinished, leaving haunting atmospheric ruins set within woodlands overlooking the Gatcombe valley. The romantic combination of medieval fortress and Renaissance ambition, coupled with centuries of legends, has made Berry Pomeroy famous as one of England's most atmospheric castle sites. English Heritage now manages this evocative blend of history and spectral reputation.