Who said there aren't any castles in Devon! Um...I think it was me, actually. 
In fact there are quite a few but this isn't one of them! It's called a castle on the OS map because it's thought there was at one time, but the remains belong to a later manor house which then became a farm called Colcombe Abbey Farm. Confused yet? I know I am! 
It was Neosea who pointed this out to me on the OS map last year, and I've had it in the back of my mind to go and check it out for the last 6 months. So, treating myself to a trip on the Seaton Tramway...at horrendous cost, mind (£8-50, adult fare!)...I had a day out yesterday to pursue that and other leads.
This is an odd one. Not really derelict or abandoned, but I thought it was interesting how the remains have evolved and been incorporated into what it is today. Anyway, onto the history and pics, and see what you think.
It began life as a moated and fortified homestead, probably built in the 13th century. By 1539 it was just ruins and was later rebuilt in the early 17th century and was later altered and added to. Now used as a farmhouse. The metal frame casements replaced the former stone mullion windows and the door has a modern gabled porch.
It was built on the site of and possibly incorporating some of the remains of Colcombe Castle. This was one of the seats of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon, and first built in the late 13th century, by Hugh de Courtenay. It was partly rebuilt by Henry Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter, but after his execution in 1540, was confiscated by the Crown and returned to Edward Marquis of Exeter who died in 1556.
The first thing I came across was this lovely old out-building.
Then the yard with the farmhouse itself.
With this fabulous iron studded door.
Opposite which is this building. This looks new, but whether it's completely new or built onto remains is anybody's guess! The window is original but may have been incorporated into a new build.The door was probably made last week!
The other side of the farmhouse. Sorry about the sun's glare...you might need your sunglasses!
And the barn with it's gorgeous old tiles.
The remains of a cider apple orchard. Everyone of note had cider apple trees back along...part of the staple diet.
And this was also in the yard. Nothing to do with anything really, but I've seen it trundling the streets of Colyton carting tourists about. A Tourist Trap...and pony!
And finally, a sign outside the pub 'The Colcombe Castle'.
Hope you enjoyed.
In fact there are quite a few but this isn't one of them! It's called a castle on the OS map because it's thought there was at one time, but the remains belong to a later manor house which then became a farm called Colcombe Abbey Farm. Confused yet? I know I am! It was Neosea who pointed this out to me on the OS map last year, and I've had it in the back of my mind to go and check it out for the last 6 months. So, treating myself to a trip on the Seaton Tramway...at horrendous cost, mind (£8-50, adult fare!
)...I had a day out yesterday to pursue that and other leads.This is an odd one. Not really derelict or abandoned, but I thought it was interesting how the remains have evolved and been incorporated into what it is today. Anyway, onto the history and pics, and see what you think.
It began life as a moated and fortified homestead, probably built in the 13th century. By 1539 it was just ruins and was later rebuilt in the early 17th century and was later altered and added to. Now used as a farmhouse. The metal frame casements replaced the former stone mullion windows and the door has a modern gabled porch.
It was built on the site of and possibly incorporating some of the remains of Colcombe Castle. This was one of the seats of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon, and first built in the late 13th century, by Hugh de Courtenay. It was partly rebuilt by Henry Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter, but after his execution in 1540, was confiscated by the Crown and returned to Edward Marquis of Exeter who died in 1556.
The first thing I came across was this lovely old out-building.
Then the yard with the farmhouse itself.
With this fabulous iron studded door.
Opposite which is this building. This looks new, but whether it's completely new or built onto remains is anybody's guess!
The window is original but may have been incorporated into a new build.The door was probably made last week!
The other side of the farmhouse. Sorry about the sun's glare...you might need your sunglasses!
And the barn with it's gorgeous old tiles.
The remains of a cider apple orchard.
Everyone of note had cider apple trees back along...part of the staple diet.
And this was also in the yard. Nothing to do with anything really, but I've seen it trundling the streets of Colyton carting tourists about. A Tourist Trap...and pony!
And finally, a sign outside the pub 'The Colcombe Castle'.
Hope you enjoyed.
