Castle Drogo: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: The last castle built in England, finished in the 1930s, with immaculate gardens above the Teign gorge. You can walk up from Fingle Bridge, which is a proper climb — or drive to the property. Dogs are welcome outside the house but not inside it.

Not an old castle

Castle Drogo is the last castle built in England, completed in the 1930s for a grocery magnate who wanted a medieval fortress and got a granite one designed by Lutyens. Knowing that before you arrive changes what you are looking at — the interest is in the ambition and the engineering rather than in centuries of history.

Two ways to arrive

Up from Fingle Bridge

The walk from the river up through the Teign gorge is the better approach by a distance, and it is a proper climb rather than a stroll. Allow time and do it in boots. The gorge below is worth the walk on its own.

Drive to the property

The practical option with children, anyone unsteady, or limited time. The lanes in are narrow, which is true of everywhere on this side of the moor.

The gardens

Immaculate, and the thing regular visitors rate most highly. They are formal and sheltered, which also makes them a better bet than the open moor on a windy day.

Dogs

Welcome outside the house, not inside it. Given that the grounds and the gorge walk are the best part, that is less of a limitation here than at some properties.

The practicalities

• National Trust, so admission unless you are a member.
• Winter hours are reduced — check before driving out.
• The narrow lanes in are slow; allow more time than the map suggests.
• The gorge walk below is free and open whether or not you go into the property.

Combining it

Chagford is a few minutes away and has the pubs and the cream tea for afterwards. Fingle Bridge sits at the bottom of the gorge, which makes the obvious day: park low, walk up, look round, walk back down, and eat in the village.