Part of Bickleigh Castle Destroyed In Storm Gerrit
Bickleigh Castle is a historic fortified manor house in the village of Bickleigh, Devon.
Part of this historic castle, which has stood for 1,000 years seeing off wars, has been badly damaged following Storm Gerrit.
When the ancient castle collapsed, there was a yellow warning for wind in Devon with gusts up to 70mph.
Dramatic pictures above, captured by DevonLive, have revealed the extent of the damage.
In the nearby village of Tipton-St-John, villagers were subjected to a mini-tornado, which split a 150-year-old tree in half.
Today (January 2nd 2024) there is an amber warning in place, issued by the Met Office, as storms will likely bring more disruption to the UK.
The castle has a rich history dating back to the 11th century, and it's a Grade I listed building, known for its architectural significance and historical value.
The castle was originally built as a motte-and-bailey castle shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Over the centuries, it underwent various renovations and additions, transitioning from a defensive fortress to a residential manor house.
Bickleigh Castle has seen its fair share of historical events, including involvement in the English Civil War in the 17th century when it was a Royalist stronghold.
During this time, it was partially destroyed and later restored.
During the English Civil War, Charles I’s queen, Henrietta Maria stayed in the castle as a guest of Sir Henry & Lady Dorothy Carew in 1644, on her way to Exeter.
Shortly after her visit, she gave birth to Princess Henrietta Anne Stuart, who later married.
There is a plaque commemorating the birth of the Princess in Exeter, which is now displayed in the Princesshay Shopping Centre.
Today, Bickleigh Castle operates as a venue for weddings, events, and accommodations.
Visitors can explore the grounds, take guided tours to learn about its history, and experience the unique atmosphere of this centuries.
Pictured above it Henrietta Maria, a famous guest who stayed at Bickleigh Castle.
The castle is set in 60 acres of beautiful grounds of which 5 acres are landscaped.
The outer wall, gardens and fish ponds in front of the Keep Gatehouse were landscaped during the ownership of Sir Thomas Carew, Bt., in the 18th Century.
The ponds were created from the remnants of the Norman moat.
The garden walls, gate piers and gates are also designated as listed buildings.
The castle has raving reviews on TripAdvisor.
One recent customer said: “Perfect setting for a Devon cream tea - the scones were heavenly, light and delicious - the castle tour exceeded our expectations.
”John did a marvelous job of re counting the history of the castle, characters and art works seamlessly. Afterwards we were free to stroll around the beautifully kept gardens.
”The staff were wonderful. We were celebrating a birthday and they kindly presented the cream tea with balloons and decorations which we'd brought along.”
Bickleigh Castle says the recent collapse will not affect weddings, tours, staycations, and events at the popular Devon landmark.
If you’d like to visit, the adders is: Bickleigh, Tiverton EX16 8RP.
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