ウェストデボンの洞窟・トップ5

The "last castle in England" was only completed in 1930. It's something completely different and although it's not (yet) picturesquely dilapidated, it offers many interesting insights into life between the wars. Lovingly looked after by the National Trust and definitely worth a visit.

Will stop at Mill End next time for snack.

These stairs take you to Drogo Castle, which you can of course visit. However, you can also take a break in the castle garden.

Excellent pizza and undercover, outdoor seating at the Castle Inn! No issues taking our bikes into the garden.

Lydford is a pretty little village on the edge of Dartmoor National Park and hides, within its boundaries, several amazing features. One of these is its castle, of Norman origin that was rebuilt in the late 12th century with the tower being renovated in the 13th century. Consistently used over the centuries and repeatedly overhauled, it eventually fell into disuse in the 19th century. Free to enter, you can enjoy its large, sloping lawn after you've had a nose about the tiny building. A perfect picnic spot, the castle sits in utter tranquillity.

Odd 1920s interpretation of a castle.

Lydford is a small ancient village on the banks of the river Lyd established by King Alfred late in the 9th century as a fortification to defend the country from the Vikings and the Cornish. The village became famous for its silver pennies mined and minted locally and the stunning Lydford Gorge with the White Lady Waterfall. Lydford has also been home to two medieval castles, one of which still remains. It was built in the year 1195 at a reported cost of £32 originally as a Royal castle given by King John to William Bruere in 1216 and then by King Henry III to his brother, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, in 1337. Throughout the centuries the castle was notoriously known as ‘a strong house for keeping prisoners’, and by the 18th century, it was used purely as a court of law and gaol being described as ‘being a place most odious, filthy and vile...'. The court and prison earned a grim reputation for hanging defendants in the morning and passing judgement in the afternoon. In 1900 S. Baring-Gould mentioned in his 'A book of Dartmoor' a poem attributed to William Browne in 1644:- "I oft have heard of Lydford Law, How in the morn they hang and draw, And sit in judgment after: At first I wondered at it much, But soon I found the matter such As it deserved no laughter. They have a castle on a hill; I took it for some old wind-mill, The vanes blown off by weather. Than lie therein one night 'tis guessed 'Twere better to be stoned or pressed Or hanged, ere you come thither." Lydford Castle's role continued right up until the early nineteenth century when it was abandoned in preference to a new prison built at Princetown to house French prisoners of war. This has since become the infamous Dartmoor Prison.

A medieval castle on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park, Lydford Castle was built to help control revolt against Norman rule across Devon in the 11th century. The castle had a turbulent history over the centuries, passing to the Duchy of Cornwall in 1342 right up until 20th century. Today, the castle belongs to English Heritage who open it to visitors. You can also visit earthworks from the Normal fort. For more information, visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lydford-castle-and-saxon-town/