BICKLEIGH CASTLE

Devon

Bickleigh has much in common with Tiverton Castle, three miles further up the River Exe. It was probably started in the early Norman period, although nothing remains older than 1400. However, nearby stands a small early Norman chapel.

The Castle was owned by the Pointingtons, but at the time of the construction work we see today, it was passed to the Courtenays...there is some uncertainty as to which family built it. But the Courtenay family is more than a fair bet, as the Castle followed very much the same plan as Tiverton, built only a few years before.  That of a strong Gatehouse, quadrangle and towers.

Oddly enough Bickleigh shared an almost identical fate to Tiverton.  After General Fairfax had put paid to the Giffard family's resistance there, he moved on to Bickleigh which was being held by the Carew family for the King.  Short work was made of Bickleigh and the Carews and the Castle was all but destroyed, leaving only the Gatehouse (pictured) intact.

Bickleigh Castle is open to the public during the summer months.

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2001