I had planned to visit Castle Drogo last week, but in the end decided not to, as I knew I was heading off to Oxford on Monday and needed time to do stuff at home. So, with the sun shining, I drove down the M5 to Castle Drogo.
Castle Drogo
Where dramatic architecture meets innovative family home. A 20th century castle overlooking the Teign Gorge.
Current saving £96.30
One adult £18.00
Parking £4.00
Total saving £22.00
Cumulative saving £214.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £118.30
This is for all intents and purposes a modern castle. Construction started in 1911 and though the family moved in, in 1926, it still wasn’t finished.
The castle was given to the National Trust in 1974, the first building constructed in the twentieth century that the Trust acquired.
It is one of those buildings that for me, is just doesn’t work. It feels like a fake castle, and that isn’t just because it is fake, but I think the way it was built using blocks of granite makes it look quite artificial. In some places it looks like concrete bunkers. I think the issue is that it is too neat and tidy, too new. Which isn’t surprising as it is less than a hundred years old. You can’t really compare this castle to, say Chirk Castle, which was built in 1295 and became a family home there hundred years later.
Inside the layout feels strange with varying staircases, rooms on different levels and feeling quite, I should say cosy, but actually what I want to say is claustrophobic.
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my visit to the castle, it was a great experience to explore the rooms, and it felt like most of the castle was open to visitors. I really enjoyed going through the kitchen and store rooms. I was equally impressed with the hydro electric that was installed, complete with batteries, a sustainable house well before its time.
The National Trust has many houses you can visit, this is one I did want to go and see, and all in all, it was an enjoyable trip.