Powderham Castle

“This castle hath a pleasant seat” (Macbeth). Well, it is Shakespeare’s birthday!

We had to be out of the lodge by 9o’clock this morning so nipped down to Dawlish for a takeaway sausage and bacon breakfast bap and a stroll along the prom.

From there we headed to Powderham Castle between Dawlish and Exeter, which has been the home, in various forms, of the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon, since the end of the 14th Century. 

The house is obviously closed at the moment but we strolled through the grounds through the Woodland Gardens and up to The Belvedere, a large tower with commanding views of the Exe estuary and which once housed a ballroom for special parties.

Nearer the house is a walled garden which now houses a small petting zoo, which we reckon Sophie would love so we’ll have to take her there. We had a picnic lunch in the rose garden overlooking the parkland where the deer herd were grazing with the river behind them. It was all rather grand.

We’re back home now and in normal internet range. Many thanks for the comments and stars on my blips this week; sorry for the lack of comments in return.