Rougemont Gardens

Rougemont Gardens is an urban park in Exeter positioned beside castle ruins, featuring pathways that wind through landscaped grounds. The space includes open lawn areas, planted sections, and walking routes that follow the line of historic city walls.

A castle was established here in 1068 following the Norman conquest and served as a major defensive point for the city. The fortified site eventually transformed into public gardens, which have occupied this ground ever since.

The gardens sit beside remnants from multiple eras of building and defense, visible in the walls and ground features as you walk through. These layers tell the story of how the city developed and protected itself over centuries.

The gardens are free to enter every day and accessible from multiple points around the city center. The pathways are well-marked and relatively flat, making it easy to explore at your own pace.

The park contains a notably deep ditch that may date from Roman times and could have served as a quarry supplying stone for early city walls. This hidden feature beneath the grass reveals layers of history older than the castle itself.

Location: Exeter

GPS coordinates: 50.72580,-3.53090

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23