Bickleigh Castle

Bickleigh Castle is a fortified manor house on the banks of the River Exe at Bickleigh in Devon, England. Once much larger, it now consists of buildings from several periods arranged around a central courtyard, forming what was known as a water castle.

The site began as a Norman motte castle in the late 11th or early 12th century, later dismantled in the mid-12th century when a stone chapel was built. In the 15th century the Courtenay family constructed a mansion, incorporating earlier structures. The Courtenay and Carew families occupied the estate until the English Civil War, during which Parliamentarian forces largely destroyed the main castle buildings in 1645 because of the Carews’ Royalist loyalties.

Several important buildings survived, including the Norman chapel, a 12th-century gatehouse, a 15th-century courthouse, and parts of the curtain wall. After the war, farm buildings were added, and the site later fell into disrepair before being restored in the early 20th century.

The Grade I listed gatehouse dates from the early 12th century and was altered in the 15th century. The chapel, often cited as one of the oldest complete buildings in Devon, contains medieval fabric and a 15th-century wagon roof. Other surviving structures include the Old Court, the 17th-century North Range farmhouse, Moat Cottage, and a former stable block.

The castle stands within 60 acres of grounds, including landscaped gardens and fish ponds formed from the remains of the Norman moat. Today, Bickleigh Castle hosts weddings, events, accommodation, and guided tours by prior arrangement.

Address
Devon, United Kingdom

Established
12th century