Introduction
The castle is a romantic ruin. The mansion was begun around 1560, but was never completed and was abandoned by 1700. There are woodland walks around the castle.
Berry Pomeroy Castle, a Tudor mansion within the walls of an earlier castle, is near the village of Berry Pomeroy, in South Devon
The mansion was originally built in the 15th-century by the Pomeroy family, then later expanded by the Seymours, who planned to set a great Elizabethan mansion within the castle’s medieval walls.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
The site is open daily from 10 am between April and October. Closing times vary seasonally from 4 pm to 6 pm.
http://www.english-heritage.or...
Directions
The site lies just over 2 miles to the east of Totnes off the A385.
Owners
The Duke of Somerset
- History
13th Century
A royal licence to enclose the deer park at Berry Pomeroy Park was granted in 1207. The remains of substantial stone walls can still be seen around sections of the park. The sylvan approach to the castle ruins is one of the most dramatic in Devon and gives no hint of the spectacularly romantic setting, half way up a wooded hillside looking out northwards over a deep ravine and river.
16th - 17th Century
The de Pomeroys were here from the Norman Conquest to 1547. Their fortifications date only from the later Middle Ages. In 1547 the castle was bought by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and his family remained in occupation until 1688. The site is still part of the Duke of Somerset's estate.
18th Century
The Castle was a favourite study for 18th century romantic painting. In the 1790s W.G. Maton wrote ‘And when the surrounding scenery is taken into account, - the noble mass of wood fronting the gate, the bold ridges rising in the horizon, and the fertile valley opening to the east, - the ruins of Berry Pomeroy Castle must be considered almost unparalleled in their effect.'
In 1797 Polwhele noted ‘The ruins of this castle are an object of great curiosity to travellers. The north view seems the most romantic, from the old fragments of the castle breaking thro' the deep umbrage of the fantastic woods.'
The castle is looked after by English Heritage.
Period
Tudor (1485-1603)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Castle Mill and adjoining Millers House
- Grade: II
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Castle ruins
- Grade: I
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Deer park wall
- Grade: II*
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: SM21706
Features
- Castle (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Walk
- Description: Woodland walks around the castle.
- Ruin
- Walk
- Mansion
- Woodland
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Heritage Site
Period
Tudor (1485-1603)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Berry Pomeroy
- References
References
- Pugsley, Steven {Devon gardens : an historical survey} (Stroud: Sutton, 1994) 21, 23 Devon gardens : an historical survey
- Pevsner, N {The Buildings of England: Devon} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1952) The Buildings of England: Devon
- Gray, Todd {The Garden History of Devon} (Exeter: Exeter University Press, 1995) 41, 42 The Garden History of Devon
- Gray, Todd {Devon Country Houses and Gardens} (2001) 9-14 Devon Country Houses and Gardens
- Farm and Countryside Liasion Services {Berry Pomeroy Historic Landscape Management Plan} (2000) Berry Pomeroy Historic Landscape Management Plan