Photo: Tiverton Castle by Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tiverton Castle is a historic house in England, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Tiverton Castle
Henry I ordered a castle built at Tiverton in 1106 on a bluff above the River Exe in Devon.
The castle was rebuilt and enlarged through the 13th and 14th centuries into a major stronghold.
Parliamentary forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax besieged it during the Civil War, the only time it saw battle, when a lucky shot cut through a drawbridge chain.
It is now a private home with walled gardens set within the ruins.
The castle is open to visitors seasonally; check the official website for current opening days and times.
History of Tiverton Castle
The manor of Tiverton belonged to Princess Gytha, mother of King Harold, before William the Conqueror took possession after the Norman Conquest in 1066. After the Civil War siege, the castle was largely dismantled and later rebuilt as a country house. It remains the private home of Angus and Alison Gordon.
Architecture of Tiverton Castle
Tiverton Castle shows building work spanning medieval to modern periods, including a 17th-century conversion into a country house after its Civil War dismantling. It is part Scheduled Ancient Monument and part Grade I listed.
Worth knowing
Tiverton Castle was once home to the powerful medieval Earls of Devon and, according to the castle's own account, to a Plantagenet princess.
Gardens & grounds at Tiverton Castle
The walled gardens sit within the castle's ruined walls, a deliberate contrast between crumbling stone and cultivated planting.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Tiverton Castle
Nearest station: Tiverton Parkway Rail Station (5.7 miles)
Open Easter to end of October; check official website for specific opening days.
Places to visit near Tiverton Castle
Historic places nearby
Within 5 miles of Tiverton Castle there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 historic house, across Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Tiverton Castle there are 4 historic properties, including 2 historic houses, across Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Tiverton Castle there are 17 historic properties, including 8 historic buildings and 6 historic houses, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Facts
A lived-in castle where Civil War siege damage and medieval walls survive inside a private family home.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- England
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