Castle Drogo

• The last castle to be built in england
• Perched above the Teign Gorge with dramatic views over Dartmoor
• Highest National Trust garden, at 900 feet
• Family activities every day of school holiday (April - Oct)

What appears to be an ancient granite and oak fortress overlooking the wilds of Dartmoor was actually the 20th-century home of self-made millionaire Julius Drewe. Sir Julius choose this dramatic site, 900 feet above the Teign gorge as the site of his castle. The foundation stone was laid on Sir Julius´ 55th birthday in 1911. Employing the foremost architect of his age, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Drewe created an impressive family home. The original plans were for a more grandiose house but Sir Julius and his wife decided that the rooms were too large for comfort and in 1912 made a last-minute revision. The scaled down Castle Drogo admirably fulfilled his plans. The construction of the building took 20 years. The castle was built from granite and every block had to be specially quarried and then laid by two masons. Sadly, Sir Julius died only one year after the castle was completed in 1930. Inside modern technology and family keepsakes – radios and gramophones, toys, dolls´ houses, photographs and books – sit alongside 17th-century tapestries and inlaid tables. The servants´ rooms are also fascinating and poignant.

The beautiful formal garden, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, makes a striking contrast to Dartmoor´s ancient woodlands, which creep right up to the borders of the grounds. Play a family game of croquet on the huge circular lawn, while younger children enjoy the play area nearby, then explore the estate and hike down through the wooded Teign Gorge to the rushing river far below.

There is a National Trust shop with plant sales and dogs are welcomed on leads in the car parks and on the estate walks.

Photo Credits:

NTPL/Andrew Butler

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Castle Drogo
Drewsteignton
Nr Exeter
Devon
EX6 6PB

Tel: 01647 433306
Fax: 01647 433186

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www.nationaltrust.org.uk