
Discover more at Compton Castle
Find out when Compton Castle is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
With views over the sloped Devonshire valleys and traditional farmland, the estate at Compton Castle is as historic as the castle. A new project has been established to improve areas of the countryside for nature, while managing the commercial farming.
The estate around Compton Castle is surrounded by typical Devonshire views, sloped valleys that have been traditionally farmed for generations. Tenant farmers manage these areas as commercial farms but recently we're been working with them to improve areas of the estate for nature, where nature and farming can thrive side by side.
We've made changes to the land management through altering pastures for production. One area of the estate has been undergoing an exciting project in partnership with Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. We've planted 10 hectares of new woodland and wood-pasture that will benefit nature, capture carbon and reduce flooding in the village.
The valley side of Compton estate contain fruit orchards and hedgerows with mature trees, such as English and Turkey Oaks. Above the canopy buzzards can often be seen using the warm air currents to rise and soar over the estate, looking for potential food.
The Devon valley is home to the Cirl Bunting, a rare farmland bird which has a distinctive call that can be heard up to 500m away. Its name is derived from ‘to chirp’ in Italian, and if you take a moment to pause and listen, the mails can be heard calling from hedgerows around the estate with a flat, staccato, hammering sound.
Cirl Bunting numbers fell drastically into decline in the 1980's across the UK but the remaining population held on in Devon. Since then, a number of partners have come together, from the National Trust to the RSPB and local farmers to re-establish cirl buntings. Cirl numbers have increased and the population have gone from strength to strength.
You can explore this area of the estate on a permissive one mile walk. Located to the north of Compton Castle, it takes in a traditional sunken lane fringed by hedgerows, farmed landscapes and a recently planted woodland. A wander through here takes in the wide reaching views of Compton Village and on clear days even Dartmoor can be seen.
Check back here soon for a detailed trail map.
We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:
Our definition of close or effective control is:
Find out when Compton Castle is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Step inside this fortified medieval manor, complete with a Great Hall and a sub solar, and learn about the lives of people that once called it home.
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