An Englishman’s Home ………….
An Englishman’s home is his castle as the saying goes. Well, Devon has a plethora of castles dating back centuries, built as a fortress or a grand home declaring to the world the one’s status in society.
Around each of these castles, many built on the rivers to aid defence, towns grew from where they paid allegiance to the lords of the castle. Whilst most are now in varying states of decay some are still inhabited, often by families who have been the incumbents for centuries. Powderham Castle on the River Exe being the classic case in point where the Courtenay family, the earls of Devon have resided. The family also owned much of Devon and other castles used as hunting lodges throughout the county. Many are now in the hands of The National Trust, English Heritage and The Landmark Trust thereby ensuring their ongoing future and the history of the county.
The last castle to be built in England is Castle Drogo overlooking the Teign Valley above Chagford on Dartmoor. Built by Julius Drewe who made his fortune as owner of Home and Colonial Stores, the first department stores. Sadly, his vision was never completed due to his son being killed in the First World War and thereby losing generational continuity of ownership.
Every castle will have its own history. Okehampton apparently was built in the 12th century to control unrest with the locals - did it work I wonder?
Surrounding these fortresses whose survival depends on the tourist industry settlements grew into the towns we see today. Whilst Devon is known for amazing coastlines, sandy beaches, sailing and surfing waters you only need to step inland and explore the towns where castles dominate. Far too many to itemise but from Exeter to Dartmouth and west to Okehampton settlements thrived.
Those looking to settle in Devon or move within the county as life progresses have infinite choices. More often than not the town of choice will have a castle or manor from where communities evolved. Today, each and every one has its local ambience offering a wide selection of destinations from which to choose according to life’s requirements. So, bring in the experience of Recoco Property Search, buying agents acting for the discerning looking for the local knowledge to ensure the remit is matched as close as possible.
Buying a home is so much more than the house itself. It’s essential to ensure that one’s lifestyle requirements are available, including schools, sports facilities, transportation, and shopping connections, all of which contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle. Add in the connections to “off market” properties (a phenomenon of the 2020s property market) which, as Property Search Agents Recoco, can introduce and the ongoing requisite introductions to further professional services – surveyors, solicitors, insurance agents, etc, then the process can be as stress-free as possible.
Devon is the third-largest county in England and has a wide and varied countryside – north, south, east, and west - all of which have their own unique local environment and even distinct weather patterns. With two long coastlines accessible via The South West Coast Path, two National Parks, a World Heritage coastal area in the Jurassic Coast and miles of prime agricultural land serviced by thriving towns, connected by national road and rail and air networks there is hardly a better place to live: “It’s all about coming home”.
Founder & Managing Director
+44 (0) 7939 559349