South West Of England Castles Information about castles in the South West Of England including castles, forts, Corfe Castle, Highcliffe Castle, Pendennis Castle, Powderham Castle, Sherborne Castle, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire plus where to go and day out.
Highcliffe Castle has been described as arguably the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Its significance is recognised nationally by its Grade 1 status on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historical Interest. It is this Norman and Renaissance carved stone, along with the Castle’s Gothic revival features and ancient stained glass, that make it appear older than it is.
Powderham Castle lies in a beautiful deer park setting on the banks of the River Exe, just a stone's throw from the historic cathedral city of Exeter. The Courtenay family have been welcoming visitors to the Castle since 1959, and over the years in excess of a million people have been through the doors. Very little of the Castle itself has changed since those early days, but there are now many more attractions in the grounds for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Sir Walter Raleigh erected his new house in 1594, which he called "Sherborne Lodge" to distinguish it from the Old Castle. A stained glass window bearing his initials and coat of arms and the date 1594 survived in the Tudor building until the last century. The rectangular, four storey house with its hexagonal corner turrets, forms the core of the current castle. Sir Walter Raleigh died on the block accused of treason and his estates were forfeited to the crown.
