What is the history of your location?

Powderham Castle is the home of the Earl of Devon and has been in the Courtenay family for over 600 years. A castle with an intriguing history, it survived the ravages of civil war and has since gone from strength to strength.

It contains majestic interiors, a fine collection of treasures, beautiful parkland that has been virtually untouched since at least 1728, a herd of fallow deer, a walled Victorian garden, an American woodland garden, the Belvedere tower, Victorian kitchens and a servants’ area. There are also many other small properties scattered throughout the 3,500 acre Devon estate. 

What does it mean to the local people?

The castle is much loved locally and Hugh, the current Earl of Devon, is very active in the community.

Powderham is open to visitors from April to the end of October and each summer holds renowned open-air concerts which have attracted performances by many stars such as Sir Elton John, Status Quo, Blue and Jools Holland.

The castle is also a wonderful education resource for local school children who come to learn about everything from art and history to tourism and agriculture, as well as trying their hand at archery and meeting the castle’s pets.

How long has it been used as a location for the film/broadcast industry?

We’ve welcomed film crews at Powderham for over 30 years. The estate and castle have featured in a number of films including the Oscar-winning Remains Of The Day, and also in TV programmes such as Midsummer Murders and The Black Farmer.

What makes it so attractive as a filming location?

Powderham offers an incredible variety of properties which cover just about every period from 1392 when building started to the Victorian era. It also benefits from its Exe Estuary setting which provides tranquillity and glorious views. Plus, the team here are really friendly and love having film crews at the castle.

What do you like the most about it?

All the fantastic rooms within the castle, such as the glorious Music Room with it's domed ceiling - and the acres of unspoilt Devon countryside.

What is your favourite piece of trivia about your location?

Powderham Castle was home to the Nation's oldest living pet, Timothy Tortoise, who lived to about 160. Sadly he died in 2004. He turned out to be a girl too. This was only discovered in the last 20 years of his life!

If the building's walls could talk, what do you hope they would keep a secret?

The ghosts!! We don't want to put too many people off coming.

www.powderham.co.uk