Okehampton Castle
Devon, England
Photo: Reading Tom from Reading, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Frederick John Widgery, Public domain · Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Okehampton, 0.5 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Free entry Wednesday-Sunday, April to October
Pinpoint
Castle Ln, Okehampton EX20 1JA
Telephone 01837 52844
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open Every Day 10am-4pm
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free parking about 100m away along a country lane with no pavement; 3 accessible spaces near the entrance.
- Access
- Several steps lead from the entrance to the castle, with steeper steps up to the keep.
- Facilities
- No on-site facilities; the town centre, about a mile away, has pubs, cafes and shops.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- Hazards include falling masonry; a stream crosses the grounds, with deep water only after heavy rain.
Devon's largest castle ruin, built as a Norman motte-and-bailey in the 11th century before being remodelled into a fortified manor house in the late medieval period. It sits on a wooded hill above Okehampton, with English Heritage keeping it free to enter Wednesday to Sunday between April and October.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The view from the top of the motte over the surrounding countryside, reached via a genuinely steep path.
Before you go
Parking is free and close by, but the path up is steep, so pace yourself. Access is restricted to Wednesday–Sunday outside the summer season, so check before travelling.
What visitors say
Okehampton Castle reviews · 4.4 / 5 across 973 Google reviews
All the available reviews for Okehampton Castle are positive, with visitors praising the free parking, the informative audio guide, and the views from this Norman motte-and-bailey ruin.
Several mention the path up is steep, but none consider this a significant downside, and the site is consistently described as an interesting, peaceful visit.
“Excellent Motte and Bailey Norman castle to visit. Interesting history. Not vast but with good walking in and around. Close to Okehampton Town Centre.”- Lachlan Young, visitor review
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Number of steps leading up to castle from entrance, with further steep steps to keep. Uneven ground across site. Disabled visitors can be dropped at entrance with 3 dedicated parking spaces. Free parking 100 meters away on unpaved country lane. Sturdy footwear recommended.
Taken from English Heritage’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
Baldwin FitzGilbert
Established by Baldwin FitzGilbert, the Norman Sheriff of Devon, Okehampton commanded a strategically important position above Dartmoor. In the 14th century, Hugh Courtenay transformed it into a palatial residence before Henry VIII seized the estate in 1539.
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
- “There is free parking near the castle.” - Michal Polák
- Terrain & accessibility
- “The castle path is very steep, but well worth the journey.” - Michal Polák
- Facilities
- “Beautiful views and also a lovely walk around it into woods and a meadow with seating at the castle and picnic area.” - Libby Pymont
Common questions about Okehampton Castle
Where is Okehampton Castle?
Okehampton Castle is in Devon, England, at Castle Ln, Okehampton EX20 1JA.
Is Okehampton Castle free to visit?
Yes - Okehampton Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Okehampton Castle?
The view from the top of the motte over the surrounding countryside, reached via a genuinely steep path.
Is Okehampton Castle a ruin or still intact?
Okehampton Castle is a ruin - Free entry Wednesday-Sunday, April to October.
