Castle Hill, Filleigh

Castle Hill is a country house in Filleigh with Palladian architecture and Portland stone facades that sits within North Devon countryside. The estate covers roughly 5,100 acres and includes the main house along with gardens and historical structures across its grounds.

The Fortescue family acquired the estate in the 15th century, and Hugh Fortescue had the mansion built in Portland stone in 1728. The site shows how a noble family developed a major residence over generations, from early land ownership to its grand final form.

The house displays 18th-century design principles in its rooms, where circular libraries and Greek temples reflect the architectural language of the period. These elements shape how the interior looks and show how wealthy families chose to live and arrange their homes.

The gardens are open on weekdays and offer visitors quiet hours to explore. It is worth checking opening times before visiting and wearing comfortable shoes since the grounds require walking.

A decorative fortification from 1746 sits on the northern hill behind the main house and once served as a banqueting space. This unexpected structure shows how landowners in the 18th century added playful architectural details to their estates.