Okehampton Castle
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Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1538, it declined into an allegedly haunted ruin.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles262 reviews
Excellent
130
Very good
103
Average
24
Poor
5
Terrible
0

Chapbillsmith
Salisbury, UK117 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Use Satnav to locate the Car Park -free- and then walk a few minutes to the Castle. An interesting layout and easy to explore. there are audio guides but I would recommend buying the book guide as well -only £3.50.
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wulfstan1000
Deepest Oxfordshire38 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Smaller than we thought. We found a number of serious health and safety issues. Some of the steps up to the site, and, more importantly, to the Keep, had very high risers, often up to 25-30 cm high (We didn't actually measure them !). There are rails, which you need to hang on to to get enough purchase to lever yourself up to the next step.
On descending, the same applies and in addition most steps have loose shale on them exactly where you step down whilst hanging on to the rail, and it's very easy to slip when you put your weight on the step below.
Mainly just a ruin with some unimpressive signing. so you really need to buy the Guide Book (we didn't) even though the castle footprint is so small.
There are no refreshment facilities. One uni-loo for visitors.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mrs O
Tolworth, UK99 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Lovely morning spent here yesterday. Tom in the booth was ever so helpful and friendly. I would recommend using the free audio guides as they really helped to visualise the castle’s past. It also gave some focus when wandering around.
After the castle, we went on a beautiful walk around the woodlands. I should imagine it could get slippery on wet days, so make sure you have appropriate footwear on if you do decide to go on the walk.

I notice some people in previous posts mention the steps. Yes they are steep in places but this site is hundreds of years old. They can’t just be replaced!

All in all a very pleasant morning.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul Bates
Solihull, UK8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
We had pre booked as per the website and arrived 15 mins early. The young man on the entrance could not have been more helpful.
He was more than happy to let us in early and fully explained the Covid “ one way system “.
He saw that we had a dog and pointed out a nearby walk. It was an added bonus as was a 35 min walk through fields and along the river.
The castle is very interesting and worth a visit.
Steep climb if you struggle to walk though.
Lovely visit.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SteveMT_1961
Langtoft, UK192 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Was a lot smaller than expected so was a quick visit to the castle ruins and a longer walk around the surrounding area. Oneway system to walk the grounds with a few areas out of bounds due to falling walls? It was very quite and had to prebook tickets to enter. Not sure if it gets busier. There s as all shop and no toilets. The woodland walk goes around the side of the castle although eerily quite as very few birds or wildlife? A pleasant enough trip and good place for a picnic or you can also visit the local town.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christine K
Barnsley, UK836 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Having been gifted a EH membership for father's day we decided to visit this castle while in Devon. Although we didn't have our membership cards yet we had an email saying we could visit. We saw there were slots available so we turned up but had to go through the rigmarole of booking online which was quite a laborious process. Once all the admin was completed we set off with our audio guides which were very useful until I pressed the button too many times.
it was originally built for defence but converted into a stately home of the time. We had a great time exploring and climbing up to the top. There is much more to see than appears from the roadside, and a riverside picnic area. Well worth a visit
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kath
United Kingdom61 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
An enjoyable first visit to this castle. We walked from train station - not too far if fairly fit.

The young lady in the kiosk was very helpful and explained how to use the free audioguide which was quite entertaining. We went on the hottest day of the year so far (17 June 2022) and it was nice to stand in the shade of the ruined walls and listen to the guide.

Some of the steps up to the Castle Keep were quite high and so quite challenging but the views were worth it at the top.

We didn't do the Riverside walk as we were in need of some lunch but enjoyed the time we had at the Castle.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Denise6666
Shoreham-by-Sea, UK9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Really lovely time spent here today. The guy at the desk was so friendly, told us about a lovely woodland walk which was beautiful as a hot day it was a pleasant relief to get out the sun with our doggy. Loved the castle and the views were breathtaking.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cuddlymom
25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
shame we couldn't get into the site as it was closed for the winter. It was interesting looking at it from outside the gates. couldn't fathom why they would build the castle in the bottom of the valley by the water and not on the hill top! There was parking but beware of the numerous large potholes. Road access is tight as it is down a very narrow lane.
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MAGlifer
Barnstaple, UK25 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Wow! Who knew this was here? Visited last weekend while staying nearby - although we do live locally! I'd never been here before, and truthfully I'd never heard about it until I joined English Heritage. A cracking little castle, enough has been preserved to give a good idea of what it must have been like in its' hey day. There's a fair climb from the entry gate to the top of the castle mound - absolutely no good if you have difficulty walking. Some areas are quite steep. Could do with a few more information boards dotted around, but I suppose English Heritage want you to buy a guidebook or an audio tour?

Below the castle there is a small field, with a few picnic tables alongside a stream surrounded by woodland. Very pleasant for an afternoon picnic.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Okehampton Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle is open:
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