Berry Pomeroy Castle in 360º

Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Berry Pomeroy Castle, a picturesque haunted castle nestled within a woodland surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Location/Facts History Legend Opening Times Price Things to See & Do Where To Eat & Drink Getting Around Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Sunrise & Sunset Times Nearby Destinations

I came here many years ago as a young child, but hadn’t visited as an adult. Even on this visit the place was locked up and I couldn’t enter the castle walls, but I could wander around the grounds. However that did allow me to be alone and get some great 360 images with no one else getting in the shots.

If you do come make sure you walk down through the woodland to the ponds and maybe check out the disused sawmill. I didn’t get as far as the sawmill, but maybe next time. This is part of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail between Cockington & Totnes.

There are legends about the castle being haunted and I do have friends that have come here in the small hours. One or two of them swear they saw the ‘White Lady’ while they were here in the darkness. There are actually supposed to be two apparitions, the aforementioned white lady and the blue lady.

I will say to choose your day well, as there is no cover if it rains and you will get wet. If you’re not particularly into ruins, castles or history I think you may find the asking price to be a little pricey and you’ll probably skip around everything in less than an hour, but I’ll leave that decision up to you. From what I could see there were a lot of information boards around to read and an audio tour to help you learn all the in and outs. I would like to return and check it out, but then I like history and ruins.

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Location/Facts

Berry Pomeroy Castle is a late 15th century Tudor mansion within the walls of an earlier castle in the village of Berry Pomeroy overlooking the deep, wooded, narrow valley of the Gatcombe Brook near Totnes in South Devon, UK.

The castle is owned by his grace The Duke of Somerset and is in the care of English Heritage
The castle is a Grade I listed building.
Dogs allowed but must be on a lead.
No metal detecting, smoking, commercial photography or Drone use.

History

Built in the late 15th century by the Pomeroy family who had held the land since the 11th century after arriving with William The Conqueror. By 1547 the family was in financial difficulties and sold the lands to Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. Apart from a short period of forfeit to the Crown after Edward’s execution, the castle has remained in the Seymour family ever since, although it was abandoned in the late 17th century when the fourth baronet dismantled most of the structure as the castle being 10 days ride to Westminster, was considered too remote so the family built another house and moved to Wiltshire.

After lying in ruins for a hundred years, in the 19th century the castle became a popular tourist attraction, aided by its reputation of being haunted.

Legend

There are a number of legends associated with the castle, and according to the English Heritage guidebook, it is reputed to be one of the most haunted castles in Britain. Two female ghosts are said to haunt the castle: the White Lady, and the Blue Lady. The Blue Lady is said to beckon for help from passers-by, luring them to her tower. If they go to her, it is said they fall to their death. She is thought to have been the daughter of a Norman lord and is said to wander the dungeons mourning the loss of her baby, which she murdered as it was sired by her own father. The White Lady, said to be the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, is claimed to haunt the dungeons, having been imprisoned there by her sister, Eleanor, who was jealous of her beauty. Their stories often blur together.

Opening Times

1 April – 30 Sep, 10:00am – 6pm (Daily)
1 Oct – 3 Nov, 10:00am – 4pm (Daily)
4 Nov – 31 Mar, 10:00am – 4pm (Sat & Sun)
24 – 26 Dec & 1 Jan, Closed

Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Price Without Donation (2021)

English Heritage Member: Free
Adult: £6.90
Child (5-17 years), £4.10

Things to See & Do

Audio Tour
Castle Mill
Elizabethan House
Gatehouse
Great Hall
John Musgrave Heritage Trail
Limestone Kiln
Ponds
Woodland Walks

Where To Eat & Drink

Picnic with plenty of grass area on which to lay out a blanket, however there are no benches available to sit on.
There is the castle cafe (not managed by English Heritage)

Getting Around

Walking the grounds from the car park to the castle, shops and ground floor of the site are easily accessible to disabled visitors. There are a number of slopes on the site and the woodland walks are not wheelchair friendly with uneven ground and many tree roots to step over.

There are steep steps down to the dungeons and also steps to reach the first level

Getting There

Berry Pomeroy, Totnes TQ9 6LJ. The road to the castle is single track with not many passing places and the car park is only small.

Bus, Country Bus 149.
Car, There is a small car park that can hold up to 30 cars, but this can fill up quickly.
Coach, Mini buses only, no coaches.

Tip: It is possible to park near the end of Loventor Rd and walk up through the woodland.

Helpful Tips

Choose your day well as there is no cover if it rains.
Dogs allowed but must be on a lead.
No metal detecting, smoking, commercial photography or Drone use.
It is possible to park near the end of Loventor Rd and walk up through the woodland.
Tip: £25 off your first Airbnb trip of £55 or more click here.