Okehampton Castle — Attraction in West Devon

Okehampton Castle is a medieval motte and bailey castle in Devon, England. It was built between 1068 and 1086 by Baldwin FitzGilbert following a revolt in Devon against Norman rule, and formed the centre of the Honour of Okehampton, guarding a crossing point across the West Okement River. It continued in use as a fortification until the late 13th century, when its owners, the de Courtenays, became the Earls of Devon. With their new wealth, they redeveloped the castle as a luxurious hunting lodge, building a new deer park that stretched out south from the castle, and constructing fashionable lodgings that exploited the views across the landscape. The de Courtenays prospered and the castle was further expanded to accommodate their growing household.

The de Courtenays were heavily involved in the 15th century Wars of the Roses and Okehampton Castle was frequently confiscated. By the early 16th century the castle was still in good condition, but after Henry Courtenay was executed by Henry VIII the property was abandoned and left to decay, while the park was rented out by the Crown. Parts of the castle were reused as a bakery in the 17th century, but by the 19th century it was completely ruined and became popular with Picturesque painters, including J. M. W. Turner. Renovation work began properly in the 20th century, first under private ownership and then, more extensively, after the castle was acquired by the state. In the 21st century it is controlled by English Heritage and operated as a...

We visited Okehampton castle today and were pleased to find there is a car park close to the castle which is accessed down a narrow road which is also a one way road. Our visit was pre booked online for mid day and the weather was not kind to us as it was raining very hard but we were well prepared dressed in waterproof clothing and sensible walking boots. The greeter at the ticket office was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the castle as well as okehampton town which was very helpful seeing as I wanted to see the town where my father was evacuated during the second world war and where he recalled as a little boy standing on the cinemas steps singing songs to the American soldiers hoping to be given a bar of chocolate as a reward. The castle itself is in ruins and is vast and gives you a sense of how it would have been. There are some steep steps that take you up to the bailey and offer a good views of the surrounding area. The weather didn't damper our visit and I would...

This place is fantastic. Beautiful setting with a sense you can go off-track, we took the baby buggy up grassy slopes rather than the steps, with guide permission to do so (which was given spontaneously on arrival). They give out free audio guides to complement the exploration of the castle. We stopped off as a mid-point on our journey to Cornwall (and it seems many people do so), but having visited and picnicked there it would be easy to make this a destination in its own right. Be aware that it is relatively easy to miss the car park, which is encountered before you get to the castle. If you miss it then you have to keep going forwards on the one way lane and turn left onto main road before finding a turning point so that you can make your way back to the castle car park. The route out to the castle is also pretty narrow. But I personally feel these things add to the experience, and the castle ruins have enough surviving elements to get a good picture of...