Dartmoor: Castle Drogo
 Castles |
Located near the northern boundaries of Dartmoor is a magnificent granite edifice with a Gothic sounding name, Castle Drogo, often referred to as the last great country house to be built in England. Collaboration between the genius of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the foremost architect of his day, and the wealth of Julius Drewe, whose ancient Norman ancestor's name Drogo was usurped for the project, produced a building of exceptional impact. Constructed between 1910 and 1930, the architect displayed ingenuity and originality in marrying the styles of country-house opulence with the characteristics of a medieval castle. Lutyens chosen material is granite, which lends the exterior presentation a rather grey, forbidding even prison-like quality. Internally, however, he has exploited the potential of ‘bare' granite imaginatively to produce a timeless world of vaulted ceilings and arched passages, the stark granite effectively contrasting with rich tapestries, Spanish treasure chests and classic Oriental, French and English furnishings. Julius Drewe lived here only briefly and Castle Drogo is now a National Trust property
The extensive castle grounds, with geometric yew hedges and beautifully terraced gardens, offer quite dramatic views over the celebrated Teign Gorge, about six and a half twisting miles of natural beauty running from Steps Bridge, built in 1816, to Castle Drogo. The gorge's densely wooded slopes of mixed coppice together with the clear fast-flowing waters of the Teign provide a rich habitat for wildlife. Trout and salmon flash through the waters, kingfishers and herons swoop near the silvery surface while buzzards circle high above; amongst the numerous mammals for whom the woods are home are the fallow deer, predatory mink and, exceptionally, otters. The river may be crossed at several points, the most popular being Fingle Bridge, where, having passed over the 16 th century pack-horse bridge the road ends in front of a most accommodating inn.
East of the entrance to Castle Drogo is Drewsteignton a compact little village, the heart of which is the picture-postcard square with cob and thatch cottages, a church and the Drewe Arms pub. Further east, and in stark contrast, is Dartmoor's most accessible Neolithic tomb, Spinsters' Rock, consisting of three uprights supporting a capstone, dating from between 3500-2500 BC. Local folklore has it that a trio of spinsters erected the tomb before breakfast one morning. Lying to the south of Castle Drogo is the small market town of Moretonhampstead, notable for the handsome two-storeyed 17 th century arcaded almshouses. This is a most appropriate centre from which to explore the eastern moors. Nearby is the delightful Miniature Pony Centre, where various small breeds are kept in addition to rare miniature ponies. A little further south is North Bovey, one of the prettiest villages in Devon; an unspoilt delight it has managed to keep the invasion of tourists at bay. Its lovely green is shaded by ancient oaks and watched over by 17 th century thatched cottages. The village church has a depiction of three rabbits chasing each other on a roof boss in the chancel, this being the emblem of former tin-miners found elsewhere in the county; these miners financed the rebuilding of many churches in the district.