>> | Home | Books | Visit | Explore & More | Events | FAQs | Contacts
Hemyock Castle
Ancient Heart of the Blackdowns
Heritage Open Days 2019 in Hemyock, Devon
Hemyock Castle and Village will again take part in this hugely popular celebration of culture and heritage.
Hemyock is set in the now tranquil Culm Valley within the beautiful Blackdown Hills in Devon, just a few miles from the M5 Motorway and Taunton. The rare surviving ruins of Hemyock's moated medieval castle are a scheduled Ancient Monument. Come & view the remaining gatehouse archway, towers & curtain-walls which surround the older manor house. Although situated in the heart of Hemyock village, the castle site is screened by trees and walls, so surprisingly little can be seen from the road.
Note. A section of the path leading to the rear and to our Interpretation Centre is sloping, deep gravel. Wheelchair users will probably need able-bodied assistance.
Note. Hemyock Castle will NOT be open on Sunday 22nd September 2019.
Special events for Heritage Open Days include:
- Hemyock Castle: Sunday 15th September 2019 (2 to 5 pm):
- People Power – March to Democracy
- Some Extraordinary & Influential Women associated with Hemyock Castle; Including Joan Illery who successfully petitioned the courts & Parliament for years for compensation, after her husband was hanged by Royalists who besieged Hemyock Castle in 1643/44
- Centuries of Trade & Links with Continental Europe; Using artefacts found at Hemyock Castle to demonstrate centuries of close links with continental Europe, for trade, people, and ideas; first created for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018:
- Castle Interpretation Centre – Hemyock Castle through the ages
- Castle Grounds - view the conserved ruins and moat
- Dungeon – archaeological finds
- Ancient Cider Press
- Traditional Farming Tools
- Teas, in aid of The Alzheimer's Society
- St. Mary's Church: Sunday 15th September 2019 (2 to 5 pm):
- Special Historical Display
- Teas
Hemyock Castle
Across the stream bordering the Western Churchyard wall is Hemyock Castle. Visitors can follow the trail around the moated Medieval castle ruins and view displays illustrating 700 years of the site's history.
In 1380, King Richard II granted a licence to crenellate the fortified manor house; effectively giving "planning permission" for the castle. During the English Civil War the castle was garrisoned for Parliament against King Charles I. Royalist captives were imprisoned until either they changed sides or were ransomed by their friends. Therefore, when King Charles II was restored to the throne he ordered the castle be "slighted" – its walls and towers were breached so that it could never again be held against the King. Later, the old manor house became a farm house, the old castle buildings were adapted, and the ruins were "quarried" for stone. For the next 300 years until the early 1970s, Hemyock Castle was Castle Farm.
We look forward to seeing you during the Sunday afternoon.
Heritage Open Days are part of European Heritage Days, a Council of Europe initiative. They are co-ordinated by The National Trust with funding by players of People's Postcode Lottery. Heritage Open Days activities will take place throughout Britain over two weekends in September: 12-15 & 19-22 September 2019, with different events on the different days.
European Year of Cultural Heritage – UK is the UK's part of The European Year of Cultural Heritage, a new European initiative.
Hemyock Castle receives no funding, and makes no charge for entry on Heritage Open Days. We welcome donations to The Blackdown Support Group & Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset.
Similar Events:
- Doors Open Days in Scotland
- Open Doors Days in Wales
- European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland
- Open House London
- European Heritage Days
- European Year of Cultural Heritage – UK
- Postcode of Hemyock Castle: EX15 3RJ
- Travelling to Hemyock
- Tour of Hemyock Castle
- A Glimpse of the Interpretation Centre
- Hemyock Village Trail
- Return to Hemyock Castle
Home | Books | Visit | Explore & More | Events | FAQs | Contacts
Hemyock Castle, Hemyock, CULLOMPTON, Devon, EX15 3RJ, UK.
© 2001–2021. Prepared and published by Curlew Communications Ltd