Compton Castle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Compton Castle is a fortified manor house nestled in a valley in Marldon, Paignton, about five miles west of Torquay, Devon, England (grid reference SX865648). Compton Castle has been a National Trust property since 1951.
Built in three periods (1340, 1450 and 1520), Compton Castle has been home to the Gilbert family for most of the intervening period. Members of the Gilbert family still occupy the castle, and administer it for the National Trust. Among the most famous inhabitants one finds Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539–1583), coloniser of Newfoundland and half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh; legend has it that Sir Walter smoked the first pipe of tobacco in Britain while visiting Sir Humphrey.
The grounds are noted for a rose and knot garden. In fact, the lush gardens of trees, flowers, rare shrubs, and thick tall grass bring thousands of tourists during the spring and autumn.
[edit] Trivia
- Compton Castle was used as a location for the filming of the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility.
[edit] External links
- Compton Castle information at the National Trust
- Map sources for Compton Castle
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