Castle Drogo
Devon, England
Photo: Stanleykswong, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Yeoford, 6.7 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- 20th-century granite castle by Lutyens
Pinpoint
Castle Drogo, Drive, Drewsteignton, Exeter EX6 6PB
Telephone 01647 433306
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 31 August - 1 November | Castle - Daily 10:30 - 16:30 |
| 2 November - 20 December | Mon - Thu: Closed Fri - Sun: 10:30 - 15:30 |
Last entrance to castle 30 minutes before the advertised closing time (main season this will be 4pm, off season this will be 3pm). Last entry to the cafe 30 minutes before closing. Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- Mobility tramper hire is available on the estate through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.
- Dogs
- Rated a two-pawprint site; dogs are welcome on the grounds and on Teign Gorge routes.
The last castle built in England - completed in 1930 to a design by Edwin Lutyens for the grocery magnate Julius Drewe, built in granite on a Dartmoor outcrop as though it had stood there for centuries. It's a 20th-century building playing at medieval, and the National Trust presents it as exactly that.
At a glance
Who to know
Edwin Lutyens · architect who designed the granite castle in 1930
Worth the trip
The sheer improbability of it - a genuine granite castle, complete with battlements and a portcullis, built within living memory rather than in the Middle Ages.
Before you go
No visitor reviews were available for this listing - check the National Trust's site directly for current opening times and any conservation work in progress before travelling.
What visitors say
Castle Drogo reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 3,764 Google reviews
Reviewers are impressed by this National Trust property - the last castle built in England, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens - describing a warren of rooms full of stories and striking architecture.
The neatly kept gardens and fine views over the Teign Gorge on the edge of Dartmoor draw regular praise, as do the helpful, knowledgeable staff.
Many enjoy the surrounding trails even without going inside.
“A modern view of a castle with experts to hand to tell the story. Interestingly, they have a pianist playing in one of the rooms which really gives you a feel into how the piano sounded in the room.”- Chris Kightley, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
Ramped access to the castle entrance, but after the Entrance Hall and Library all rooms are reached by stairs, mostly without handrails. Step-free access via tarmac and gravel paths which can be steep in places, with steep drops around the property. Blue Badge parking and a drop-off point on entering the main car park; accessible toilet at visitor reception. Wheelchairs are available at reception
Taken from National Trust’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Julius Drewe (commissioned) · 1911
Julius Drewe, founder of the Home and Colonial Stores grocery chain, commissioned this granite fortress between 1911 and 1930 as England's final castle. Architect Edwin Lutyens designed it to evoke medieval authenticity despite its 20th-century construction on Dartmoor. Drewe's son Adrian died in the First World War, slowing progress; the castle was completed shortly before Drewe's death in 1931 and given to the National Trust in 1974.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parking is charged separately, but free for National Trust members.” - Andrew Thomas
- Facilities
- “The site also has a beautifully looked after garden with the National Trust also selling plants next to the gift shop.” - Chris Kightley
Common questions about Castle Drogo
Where is Castle Drogo?
Castle Drogo is in Devon, England, at Castle Drogo, Drive, Drewsteignton, Exeter EX6 6PB.
Do you need a ticket to visit Castle Drogo?
Yes - Castle Drogo is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Is Castle Drogo dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Castle Drogo - one reviewer noted: “…h the visit. As most trust properties...dog friendly except the house. Fantastic views and walks around the subs…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
What is the highlight of visiting Castle Drogo?
The sheer improbability of it - a genuine granite castle, complete with battlements and a portcullis, built within living memory rather than in the Middle Ages.
Is Castle Drogo a ruin or still intact?
Castle Drogo is largely intact - 20th-century granite castle by Lutyens.
