Totnes Castle

Castle Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5NU

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Totnes Castle
  • Totnes Castle
  • Totnes Castle
  • Totnes Castle
  • Totnes Castle
  • Totnes Castle

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Watching over the scenic River Dart, Totnes Castle stands high above the town of Totnes in Devon. The castle was built 900 years ago during the Norman Conquest, almost certainly by one of William the Conqueror's commanders. It is an excellent example of a motte-and-bailey castle, with a later stone keep, giving sweeping views across Dartmoor.

Today as you climb the steps of the castle, you are rewarded with spectacular panoramas across the valley. The wall walk extends 360 degrees around the top of the keep, offering the best vantage points over the bustling town below. If you look closely and you can still see the defensive arrow slits in the mighty castle walls.

Once you have explored the castle keep and bailey, take a walk around the outside walls to see the steep sided ditch and outer bank which would have formed part of the original defences for the entrance. Now covered in wildflowers and plants, it is a beautiful walk giving you a sense of how it would have looked centuries ago.

Top tips

- Enjoy a picnic in the peaceful grounds under the shelter of age old trees - there is plenty of space for families to relax on a summer's day.

- Combine your visit with one to nearby Dartmouth and Berry Pomeroy Castles, just a short drive away.

Opening Times

Totnes Castle Open (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes

* Daily from April – Nov
Weekends in winter
Closed 24 - 26 Dec

See website for up-to-date hours.

Facilities

Other

  • Accept Children over 7
  • Gift Shop

Accessibility

  • Guide Dogs Permitted

Attraction Facilities

  • Shop

Catering

  • Picnic Site

Children & Infants

  • Accept Children Over 3

Establishment Features

  • Cater for groups
  • Dog Friendly
  • Dogs-Accepted
  • Open All Year
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop

Key Features

  • Families
  • In town/city centre
  • Max group size - 50
  • Min group size - Min group size of 11 to receive group discount
  • No Smoking Attraction
  • Outdoor Attraction

Parking & Transport

  • Parking (charge) - Nearest parking within five minutes walk.

Payment Methods

  • American Express accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Special group rates
  • TIC Staff Admitted Free
  • Visa accepted

Specialist Features

  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted - email education@english-heritage.org.uk

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available
  • Min group size numeric qualifier - 11

Venue Facilities

  • Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.

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Map & Directions

Road Directions

From Station Road, turn South onto Castle Street, signposted 'Historic Town Centre'. Sat nav: TQ9 5NU.

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Public Transport Directions

Totnes railway station is 1⁄4 mile from the castle, and there are several bus routes from surrounding areas.

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TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

3.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      43
    • Very Good
      89
    • Average
      105
    • Poor
      36
    • Terrible
      8

    Recent Reviews:

    • Llama15
      Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Amazing views
      5 of 5 stars
      8th Sept 2023
      Really interesting visit to a ‘Motte & Bailey’ castle, the castle is a shell now but the views over Totnes are well worth the climb up! The little moat walk is short but gives some stunning views. Read full review
    • Abuja_blue
      Walberswick, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      One of a kind
      5 of 5 stars
      30th Sept 2023
      I'm amused by some of the views below. 'a waste of money' pupports one, saying there is nothing there. I guess one person's 'nothing' is another's amazing? This is one of the best preserved motte... Read full review
    • EESW1
      Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
      One of the best Norman motte and bailey castles in the country
      4 of 5 stars
      18th Nov 2023
      OK in many ways there isn’t a lot to see. If you are going wanting to be entertained, then you are likely to be disappointing - after all, all you see is a ring of stone and a large expanse of grass... Read full review

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