Family Devon: Powderham Castle with kids

Who lives in a house like this? When you’re talking about a castle, there are usually only a few likely options – and in the case of Powderham Castle, near Exeter, the answer is the Earl of Devon and his family.

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I’ve often imagined myself taking up residence in the castles we’ve visited on our travels. Pretty much every time, to be honest. But I think it’s the first time I’ve set foot in one which is still inhabited.

As I was to discover when we visited on our last day in Devon, that’s not the only thing which sets Powderham Castle apart…

In fact, the castle itself is only the start of the attractions at Powderham – there are so many things to do on the site that exploring inside got pushed later and later until we found ourselves taking the last tour around.

When we visited, it wasn’t possible just to wander through the castle without a guide, so it’s worth making a note of the times and scheduling the rest of your day around it – edit: there are now new open house sessions as well.

It’s also worth taking the tours of the castle even with younger kids as you’ll get hidden doors pointed out, told the history of some of previous generations, plus there’s an activity trail for kids which came in very useful as Minnie’s attention span flagged. 

You can’t take photos or video inside though (as it’s a family home).

Outside the castle itself, the nature trails had topped her list: one involved collecting letters to make an anagram, another was set up especially for Halloween with a string of words to complete a poem.

I cunningly sidestepped the prize pumpkin we could have got (guess who’d have been cleaning that out!) and we headed straight to the small farm/petting zoo.

A few chinchillas were scurrying around between taking a rest in one of the many socks hanging up – very Christmassy – while most of the other areas were home to excitingly feathered chickens.

The star of the show (when you’re four) is meeting the two goats – you can go into the pen and give them a stroke, watched by the neighbouring horse and donkey.

Even more exciting (when you’re four) is the play area next door, with a wooden toy fort including lots of climbing equipment, a huge slide and some small toy cars to ride around on.

There’s a small snack kiosk there next to the picnic tables as well, but as lunch was calling, we headed back into the castle courtyard for food before our deer safari.

One pasty and cream tea (eaten Cornish style, I blame the pasty’s influence) for me and kids’ sandwich for Minnie before we climbed aboard the tractor-drawn trailer into the deer park – again, this is the only way you can explore this part of the grounds and it’s worth getting tickets early. We only just made it aboard.

There’s a recorded commentary as you trundle around on the deer park safari, giving plenty of background about the lives of those in charge of the parkland and just why the deer were so important, all keeping a respectful distance from the animals themselves… hence my rather fuzzy photos.

Some darted off as soon as they saw us, others lounged contentedly under the trees as we watched. I lost count of the number of stags alone that we saw, the total number of deer in the herd is around 600. And there’s history thrown in en route too.

Originally the entrance to the castle would have been from the water, with enough space to protect the inhabitants if needed. Today there are fewer bands of marauders but the drive through the parkland shows the great views of the towers which would have been visitors’ first glimpse.

However recognisable the exterior might still be centuries on, those visitors almost certainly weren’t confronted with a collection of insects and reptiles – another of the spooky themed half-term events, tying in nicely with the ghosts and witches dotted around the grounds.

If it came as a something of a surprise to discover the Earl and Countess of Devon were inside the walls, I certainly hadn’t expected we’d get to meet snakes or hold a Chilean rose tarantula.

With something new around every corner at Powderham Castle throughout the year, you’re guaranteed a day that’s far from dull.

For more great family days out, check out my pick of the best UK castles with kids

Need to know: Visiting Powderham Castle with kids

Tickets cost £10.95 for children aged four to 16, and £14.95 for adults. You also get a free return visit within seven days and there are family tickets available. Parking is free.

Entry is free for Historic Houses Association members, while there are regular discounts for season ticket holders for other Devon attraction as well  as discounts for English Heritage and National Trust members – the discount and who’s eligible changes from year to year, so it’s worth doublechecking.

Powderham castle is open between April and October, opening times are from 11am to 4.30pm (and 5.30pm during the summer school holidays). It closes on some other dates for private functions as well.

The deer park safari costs £2.50 and runs around 1.45pm (weather permitting). There are also regular themed weeks during the school holidays.

The castle is around 20 minutes from central Exeter and 15 minutes from Topsham.

For more ideas of things to do in south Devon, check out my ultimate guide to Devon for families, as well as ideas for visiting nearby Dartmoor with kids and exploring Exeter with kids

PIN FOR LATER: POWDERHAM CASTLE WITH KIDS

Disclosure: My entry was courtesy of the castle – all opinions on visiting Powderham Castle with kids and refusal to carve pumpkins are my own. Contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.

Images and video copyright MummyTravels

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