Powderham Castle

Powderham Castle, just outside Exeter, is a delightful place to visit. We visited on a Monday morning and we had not booked online as we needed some flexibility in our schedule. It was easy to find as we used the postcode they list on their website and plugged it into Waze. It was fortuitous that we arrived at 10 when they opened as we were able to join a tour at 10h15. It is not necessary to do the tour, and there is no extra cost, but our guide, Andy, gave us a wonderful tour that enriched our understanding and appreciation of the castle. There are wonderful touches throughout the castle such as the opportunity to play the piano or organ if you are so inclined. (You do need to ask the staff to do so first, but it is nevertheless a charming addition if you have the skills.) And be on the lookout for secret doors! The whole place feels very accessible in so far as there are few items that are roped off, and along with the guides, there are volunteers who can tell you more about the spaces and history of the castle. We also took a walk to the Secret Garden which would be of particular delight for younger visitors with the animals and playground space. The rose garden display was beautiful, and the chapel was quaint. We enjoyed a cream tea at the cafe, but be aware that there is limited space inside. It was rainy when we visited so seating was at a bit of a premium, but being a Monday, it was manageable. The road out steers you past the Bistro, Gift Shop, and Farm Shop. We couldn’t work out how to get to the farm shop, and I advise that you walk to the “entrance” of the car park as if you were going out onto the road and it is more easily visible from there. As you look at the buildings, the bistro is to the left, plant and gift shop in the middle and farm shop on the very right hand side. Tickets are valid for 7 days, but check their opening days as they are not open every day. It was well worth the visit.