Dad had never been to Dartmouth and though I’ve visited the castle I’ve never been to the town (well I parked and went into St Saviour’s church sometime back!). I am not a fan of seaside towns they seem full of tat but Dartmouth is very different it feels like a real town and doesn’t have amusement arcades etc.
The castle (see earlier blog) from the town
I was then going to take Dad to Coleton Fishacre but when we arrived the car park was full and the over spill car park waterlogged and the old boy didn’t fancy a half mile walk so plan B! We popped into Paignton to look at Oldways. The mansion was extended by Paris Singer (sewing machines) and today it is used by the council. There is a an exhibit of old sewing machines and you can view the very grand staircase and you can take photos!!
On to Compton Castle,
the castle fell into ruin and was restored in the last century my a member of the family who wished to rediscover the family seat.
The family are the Gilberts and it was Humphrey Gilbert who led the first settlement of Newfoundland in the 16th century.
His ship was the Squirrel hence the squirrel motif in the chapel (not sure I should have taken this! But if the National Trust are reading there were no signs as there were elsewhere).
Gilbert returned to present papers to Elizabeth I but his ship sunk and he perished, another ship made it to claim Canada for the British.
On the way home we stopped at Berry Pomeroy castle which is now in the care of English Heritage and apparently is the most haunted castle in England – it has the usual excellent audio guide which is included in the admission price.
It started life as a castle and became a grand home before the Seymour’s ran out of money.
2 comments:
I remember seeing something about Pomeroy Castle on the TV some years ago. A rather distinctive name.
And those pictures above of the ceiling....just incredible!
thanks for posting these!
And now we have a Lovely Adult winter BH Gull.
Some lovely pics Pete!
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