Castle Drogo

Top choice in Dartmoor National Park


Three miles northeast of Chagford, this outlandish architectural flight of fancy was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for self-made food-millionaire Julius Drewe. Built between 1911 and 1931, it was intended to be a modern-day medieval castle, with all the comforts of a country house. Unfortunately, the property hasn't worn well – it's currently the focus of a massive six-year restoration project. Parts of the house remain open, though, and imaginative midrenovation displays include a scaffolding viewing tower.

Below the house, the woodland trails have extraordinary alpine-esque views over the plunging Teign Gorge.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dartmoor National Park attractions

1. Fingle Woods

1.09 MILES

One of the last remaining patches of ancient woodland left on Dartmoor, this lovely 214-hectare forest was badly marred by the introduction of fast…

2. Scorhill Stone Circle

4.75 MILES

At around 30m in diameter, Scorhill is impressive, despite around half the stones (27) only still standing. It's tucked away on open moor near Gidleigh.

3. Finch Foundry

5.75 MILES

A century ago, this dramatic building would have thundered to the sound of clanging hammers and grinding metal. It was one of the busiest tool factories…

4. Grimspound

6.02 MILES

The remains of 24 Bronze Age houses (often called huts) dot a sprawling 1.45-hectare site that is encircled by an arching 1.5m-high and 7m-wide perimeter…

5. Grey Wethers

6.97 MILES

At this remote site near Chagford, stone circles stand side by side on a stretch of open moor; another stone circle is 400m away near Fernworthy.

6. St Pancras Church

8.34 MILES

St Pancras' immense 40m tower has seen it dubbed the Cathedral of the Moor. Inside, search out the boards telling the fire-and-brimstone tale of the…

7. Okehampton Castle

9.04 MILES

Okehampton's castle dates back to Norman times, and is strategically sited on top of a rocky escarpment. Later it became a sumptuous residence for Hugh…

8. Wistman's Wood

10.84 MILES

Legends swirl around this spooky patch of old-growth oak forest. According to local legend, it was a sacred site for the Druids, who conducted magical…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "england/chagford/attractions/castle-drogo/a/poi-sig/1272854/1316774",
      "destination": "Dartmoor-National-Park",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "England",
      "region": "Dartmoor-National-Park",
      "position": "superzone"
    }