While we were in Devon this week visiting Miles (one of our older sons) we needed to find an activity to do while it was raining. National Trust membership to the rescue and off we headed to Compton Castle.
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Where is Compton Castle?
Castle: Dramatic fortified manor house with towers and portcullis, home to the Gilbert family for nearly 600 years. Open April-October.
Garden: Formal medieval-style knot garden and rose garden with pergolas, kitchen herb garden and informal lawns with orchard. Open April-October.
Source: National Trust Website
Address: Marldon, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 1TA
Phone: 01803843235
Email: comptoncastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
What3Words: ///kiosk.diary.scream
Compton Castle is located down some very tight lanes, it was certainly interesting navigating the Discovery down them! We were sure google maps was leading us to nowhere especally as the sat nav isn’t quite right. It said we had arrived when we were between some houses.
I have added the What 3 Words location to help but you’ll either drive past it on your right before the sat nav says you have arrived or you need to continue and its on the left if you stop by the houses.
Compton Castle Parking
Free parking is available for visitors. We parked in the restaurants parking as it is surfaced, if you park on the castle side it is on grass. Blue badge parking is available on the castle side.
How much is entry to Compton Castle?
You have 2 options when visiting National Trust sites. You can either pay for a day ticket or sign up to an annual pass.
The annual pass offers really good value for money if you are likely to visit more than 3 sites a year. If you are a parkrun regular it also means free parking at National Trust locations like Colby parkrun.
Kids pass has 7% off National Trust tickets and you can sign up to kids pass for £1 for 30 days over on the Kids Pass site (as of 24/8/24)
Annual Pass Prices (as of 24/8/24)
Prices shown as Annual Direct Debit // Monthly Direct Debit
Individual £91.20 // £7.60
Two Adults £151.20 // £12.60
Family (two adults) £159 // £13.25
Family (one adult) £99 // £8.25
Young Person £45.60 // £3.80 (18-25 years)
Junior £12 // N/A (0-17 years)
Under 5’s go free
Day Pass Prices (as of 24/8/24)
Prices shown as Gift Aid Inc // Standard
Individual £10.50 // £9.50
Child £5.30 // £4.75 (0-17 years)
Family (two adults) £26.20 // £23.75
Family (one adult) £15.70 // £14.25
Compton Castle
The Great Hall
The first part of the self guided tour takes you to the Great Hall. We were given a really good talk about the history of the castle (inclduing that isn’t actually a castle but it sounds better than “fortified manor house”) and how it has been restored over the years.
It was really interesting to hear the current owners still live here, from looking at the opening times for visitors it looks like this may be their weekend home.
The Sub Solar
Another of the downstairs rooms where more staff were available to answer questions.
The Kitchen & Scullery
They have this little model of all the buildings and a diagram showing different configurations over the years.
Oscar asked if witches lived here and if not why did they have a cauldron?
Holly was in her element dressing up. All the dresses were open at the back (so you put them on like a hospital gown) which made it alot easier. They were however super heavy and hot!
They also had boys outfits and even a knights armour, the room is quite small so we didn’t stay too long.
Other Rooms
We explored a few more rooms, no guides in here but each room has a little sign with information on for you to read.
The kids were obsessed with the stairs, I was mainly terrified our day may end in A&E. Thankfully it didn’t!
The Gardens
It was such a shame it was raining as the gardens were beautiful. We had a quick walk round but the rain won and we retreated back inside.
Oscar wanted to pick all the apples up but there is a sign to say they leave the fallen fruit for the wildlife.
The Chapel
Next to the main building is a small chapel. It was beautiful and so peaceful even though it was full of people.
The urge to ring this bell though!
Childrens Activities
I do like they have childrens activities on each site we have visited. The little guide is also handy as it always has a map.
Compton Castles activities are to find different features of the castle and also a nature trail which we didn’t end up doing because of the rain.
Compton Castle Summary
Overall this was a nice little visit. Had the weather been better we would have filled another hour or so wandering round the gardens and orchard.
I do think if you are going to visit any of these it’s worth getting the annual pass as they work out such good value compared to a day pass.
Kids pass has 7% off National Trust tickets and you can sign up to kids pass for £1 for 30 days over on the Kids Pass site
Although we probably wouldn’t visit this one again it’s nice we have ticked it off.
ChrissyJ xx
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