POWDERHAM CASTLE

Devon

Powderham is one of Devon's best known Castles.  The first Castle was constructed here around 1390 by Sir Philip Courtenay, one of the ubiquitous Courtenays who dominated medieval Devon life.  Sir Philip wasn't actually one of the Earls of Devon, he was a younger sibling.  It is quite hard to trace his original Castle amongst the later additions, although the central tower was almost certainly his.

By the time of Queen Elizabeth Powderham was the Courtenay's main residence.  The River Exe then coming right up to the door, to allow easy access to Exeter and the sea.  A great deal of the work we see today at Powderham was carried out then.

In 1645 Powderham shared the fate of much of Royalist Devon when it suffered the attentions of General Fairfax.  Despite its lack of genuine Castle attributes Powderham resisted for over three weeks before being taken and slighted by the General.

A great rebuild occurred in the 18th century and the Courtenay Earls of Devon live at Powderham to this day.  Tennyson wrote about Powderham in one of his poems.

One of the most endearing tales of Powderham Castle was that when Brunel's railway first passed the Castle the Earl of the time was allowed to 'flag down' the train to board it from his back garden!

The Castle and gardens are open during the summer and are definitely worth a visit.

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2001