Powderham Castle
Devon, England
Photo: Davepark, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Manfred Heyde, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Manfred Heyde, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Earl of Devon (Powderham Estate)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Starcross, 1.2 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ
Telephone 01626 890243
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Home to the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon, for around 700 years - this is a lived-in castle rather than a museum piece, with deer roaming the parkland and a full guided tour through the state rooms. It's still an active estate, hosting garden festivals and concerts alongside the regular visitor opening.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The guided tour through rooms a single family has occupied for seven centuries - reviewers consistently rate it as genuinely informative rather than just decorative.
Before you go
The grounds walk is substantial, so it isn't ideal if you're with small children or anyone who struggles with distance. If you're coming for an evening concert, reviewers warn the car park exit afterwards can take a long time.
What visitors say
Powderham Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 2,746 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy Powderham Castle's grand interior rooms and informative guided tours, along with the extensive grounds where dogs are unusually welcome inside the house too.
A few practical notes recur: the walk around the grounds can be long for young children, car park exit after big events can be slow, and food at special events is considered a bit pricey.
“The family The house of Caurtney have lived there for 700yrs.”- Philip Karlis Zikmanis, visitor review
Walks at Powderham Castle
Powderham Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Visited at May Half Term when the heatwave was subsiding, we had a lovely walk around the gardens and viewed deer in the parkland.”- J P, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome and you can arrive by train (Starcross is 1.2 miles off).
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Sir Philip Courtenay · 1390
Sir Philip Courtenay built a fortified manor after 1390 on the west bank of the River Exe estuary, establishing a seat for the Courtenay family. The structure remained relatively modest until the 18th and 19th centuries brought extensive expansions and alterations. The castle has served continuously as a family residence for nearly seven centuries, hosting the Earls of Devon and remaining a working estate with gardens and public events.
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
- “Getting back out of the car park after a concert is intense.” - Victoria brown
- Guided tours
- “We had a guided tour of the castle which was very informative and interesting it is well worth a visit there are lots ofgrounds to walk around.” - Philip Karlis Zikmanis
- Facilities
- “The gift shop wasn't open when we visited, a little disappointing as I would have bought something to remember our day.” - J P
Common questions about Powderham Castle
Where is Powderham Castle?
Powderham Castle is in Devon, England, at Powderham Estate, Exeter EX6 8JQ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Powderham Castle?
Yes - Powderham Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Earl of Devon (Powderham Estate). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Is Powderham Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Powderham Castle - one reviewer noted: “…ative. I would recommend visiting, plus dogs are allowed in the house which is unusual as most don't allow. The gift…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
Are there walks at Powderham Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Visited at May Half Term when the heatwave was subsiding, we had a lovely walk around the gardens and viewed deer in the parkland.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Powderham Castle?
The guided tour through rooms a single family has occupied for seven centuries - reviewers consistently rate it as genuinely informative rather than just decorative.
