Powderham Castle, Medieval castle in Exminster, Devon, Great Britain
Powderham Castle is a fortified manor house on the banks of the River Exe in Exminster, Devon, Great Britain. The building includes a grand marble hall, rose gardens, and woodland trails running through the estate.
Sir Philip Courtenay began building the castle between 1391 and 1406, creating a stronghold during the Wars of the Roses. In 1455 the property survived a prolonged siege by rival noble families from the region.
The name Powderham comes from Old English words meaning powdery harbour, pointing to the sandy estuary nearby. Today the estate keeps a herd of fallow deer that has lived here for centuries and can often be seen grazing in the parkland.
The estate opens its gardens and interiors to visitors throughout the year, with Christmas and summer events drawing the largest crowds. The ground floor rooms are accessible for wheelchair users, while upper floors are reached by staircase.
The estate now serves as a venue for large concerts and has hosted performances by internationally known recording artists. William Chapple founded the library in 1717, which still preserves manuscripts from several centuries.
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