Berry Pomeroy Castle: Unveiling the Enigmatic Tapestry of History

A 15th-century Berry Pomeroy Castle is testimony to what could have been one of the most celebrated marvels in England’s rich past and all the lovely castles that it is home to. However, the overambitious idea of building something magnificent possibly brought its downfall. Despite being a partially built castle, the Berry Pomeroy attracts hundreds of tourists every year. Such is its charm and beauty. Let’s read more about it.

Berry Pomeroy Castle History

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Berry Pomeroy castle is that its history was only recently established, despite being built in the 15^th Century by the Pomeroy family. It was soon taken over by the Seymour family who first built it into a humble Elizabethan mansion, only to extend it into a palatial castle later. However, the family soon ran out of finances and the magnificent construction of this beautiful castle came to a grinding halt. The following owners could not keep up with the maintenance work and, eventually decided to demolish it. 

Only in the late 18th Century did the castle become an attraction for artists and visitors. As the surrounding areas developed as tourist spots, the footfall also started increasing at the castle. Now, it is a popular hotspot for walkers exploring the castle and the surrounding woodlands. It is also a good place for wildlife spotting. 

Berry Pomeroy Castle Inside

Even though the castle was not completely built, it still offers a lot to see. The defensive gatehouse and gun ports at the entrance towers are a great place to start. The main attraction inside the castle is the Great Hall, which was once considered to be the most magnificent part of the castle with its amazing plaster ceiling, marble fireplace and wall tapestries.

The castle’s first floor has a high-roofed chamber with beautiful wall paintings from the 15th Century depicting the adoration of the Magi, the earliest signs of a wise Black man in the whole of England. The kitchens have fireplaces, baking areas, etc., showing how the castle was built with some futuristic technology.

There is also a dungeon in Margaret’s Tower, where Margaret Pomeroy is believed to have been captured and kept, showcasing how life was for people living in those parts of the castle.

Berry Pomeroy Castle Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Berry Pomeroy Castle:

• The Berry Pomeroy already had an infamous reputation, which got flared by novels like The Castle of Berry Pomeroy, a story of jealousy and murders set in a gothic setting
• The castle is still known in parts as one of the most Haunted Castles in Devon. 
• The castle was also the setting in The Castle on the Hill, a novel written by Elizabeth Goudge in 1942. The novel is based during WWII, when, fictionally, the castle is destroyed by German bombers. 

Berry Pomeroy Castle Nearby Places to Stay

There are several amazing places to stay near the Berry Pomeroy Castle like the Marine Hotel, Redcliff Hotel, Brandize Guest House, Crowndale Hotel, The Old Forge at Totnes, etc. There are ample options for contemporary hotels, guest houses, homestays and palatial buildings converted into hotels. All these hotels provide a great staying experience.

Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!

Luke Franklin