Overview: History, what to expect, and unique features of Berry Pomeroy Castle
Berry Pomeroy Castle is a dramatic, ruined fortress hidden in a deep, wooded valley near Totnes in Devon. Its history spans two distinct periods: the older 15th-century stronghold of the Pomeroy family and the newer Tudor mansion started by the Seymour family in the late 16th century. The Seymours intended the mansion to be the most spectacular house in Devon, matching great estates like Longleat, but they never finished the build. The family abandoned the site around 1700, and it quickly fell into ruin.
Visitors can expect a romantic, atmospheric site that gives the experience a tangible sense of decay and history. Because of its remote setting and state of abandonment, the castle earned its reputation as “the most haunted castle in England.” Local legends and the popular audio tour recount tales of the White Lady (said to be the ghost of Margaret Pomeroy) and the Blue Lady, who haunts the castle dungeons. You explore both the medieval castle ruins and the unfinished shell of the Elizabethan mansion, providing a rare view of both a military fortress and an aristocratic residence side-by-side. English Heritage manages the site.
Planning your visit to Berry Pomeroy Castle: opening times
The castle operates a seasonal opening schedule, with daily opening during the main summer and spring periods, and limited opening in the winter months.
- Summer/Spring hours (Late March to late October): The site is typically open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Winter/Autumn hours (November to mid-March): The castle reduces its opening to weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and limited periods during half-term holidays. Hours are generally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Closures: The castle usually closes for a period around Christmas (24th to 26th December). Always check the English Heritage website for the specific schedule before travelling.
- Last admission: Last entry to the site is typically one hour before closing time.
Berry Pomeroy Castle admission fees and tickets
Tickets provide full access to the castle ruins and grounds. As with other English Heritage properties such as Old Sarum, Dover Castle and Gainsborough Old Hall, a maddening seasonal pricing system applies. Super-saver off-season tickets are a little cheaper than peak summer holidays admission. Advance booking online gets you a 15% discount on the gate price.
| Ticket type (On-the-day price without donation) | Price (Super-saver off season rate, checked December 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £9.50 | |
| Concession (Senior, Student) | £8.50 | Price applies to visitors over 65 or students with valid ID. |
| Child (5–17 years) | £5.50 | Children under 5 and English Heritage members enter free. |
| Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) | £24.50 |
Discount note: English Heritage members get in free. Prices include the core admission fee without the optional Gift Aid donation.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Accessibility, safety, and amenities
Due to its medieval and ruined nature, the castle has limited accessibility.
- Accessibility: The ground floor level is mostly accessible, but access to the ramparts, towers, and upper floors of the Tudor mansion requires navigating steep stairs and uneven surfaces. The castle is not suitable for wheelchair users to explore fully.
- Parking: A free car park is located 50 metres from the entrance, but it has limited spaces (approximately 25–30) and a loose stone surface. Coaches are not permitted.
- Facilities: The castle operates a small seasonal café and a shop near the entrance. Toilet facilities, but not accessible toilets, are available.
- Terrain: The castle sits in a deep valley. The walk from the entrance area to the ruins involves a relatively steep, forested approach.
Nearby English Heritage sites
Berry Pomeroy provides a good stop for exploring other historic sites managed by English Heritage in the South Devon area:
- Totnes Castle: Located just three miles away, this is a beautifully preserved example of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle.
- Dartmouth Castle: Situated further south on the coast, this coastal defence fortress offers stunning views over the mouth of the River Dart and the estuary.
- Okehampton Castle: Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, this is the largest castle ruin in Devon, offering a complementary visit to the romantic ruins of Berry Pomeroy.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about Berry Pomeroy Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Berry Pomeroy the most haunted castle? | The castle gained the reputation as “the most haunted castle in England” due to numerous reports and legends involving the White Lady and the Blue Lady, making it a popular destination for ghost hunters. |
| Can I walk the entire castle? | Visitors can walk and explore most of the ground floor and courtyard areas. Access to the upper towers and mansion floors is via steep stone steps and is heavily restricted due to the ruinous state of the building. |
| Is photography allowed? | Yes, photography is permitted throughout the castle ruins and grounds for personal use. The dramatic, ruined architecture offers excellent photographic opportunities. |
| Is the site wheelchair accessible? | The main path and visitor centre are accessible, but the historical ruins, requiring the use of narrow steps and uneven surfaces, do not offer full wheelchair access. |
| Is the castle associated with the Tudors? | Yes, the unfinished mansion shell you see today was the ambitious project of the Seymour family in the late 16th century, replacing the original medieval fortress. |
