Berry Pomeroy Castle

The dramatic ruins of Berry Pomeroy Castle stand amid deep woods on a spur above Devon's Gatcombe valley. Its romantic atmosphere fostered tales of hauntings, but in reality it was once filled with life by great households. During the War of the Roses, the Pomeroy family sought security from violent feuds by building the castle within their deer park. In the 16th century the uncle of Edward VI, Lord Protector Somerset, bought the castle. He was executed for treason soon afterwards, but his Seymour descendants went on to build within the medieval walls the Elizabethan mansion, much of which remains. They later added the magnificent north wing and its now-vanished long gallery, among the biggest every built in England. This guidebook provides a tour and history of the castle and those associated with it, illustrated with plans, maps and historical images.