Castle Hill Gardens
Eighteenth-century landscape garden surrounding a Palladian mansion built in 1730 for the Fortescue family.
Filleigh, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0RH
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Free parking
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Garden only
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Castle Hill was built in 1730 as Earl Fortescue’s family home. The current custodians are the 15th generation of the Fortescue family to live in the Palladian house.
Set in magnificent 18th-century parkland with many original follies, statues and temples, a sham castle and Triumphal Arch. The woodland gardens are abundantly planted with magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, eucryphias and many rare trees. Formal gardens include the Millennium Garden and a Topiary water sculpture by Giles Rayner.
The steep walk up to the Castle reveals unsurpassed views to Exmoor, Dartmoor and beyond. We also have an excellent all weather tearoom open during the season serving home cooked food. Dogs on leads welcome.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Opening Times and Visitor Information for Castle Hill
Castle Hill Gardens are open to visitors throughout the year with the following schedule:
- November 2025 to March 20th, 2026: Open Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- March 23rd, 2026 to October 30th, 2026: Open Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The gardens are closed on weekends but open on Bank Holidays. Please note that the gardens, ticket office, and tea room may close during inclement weather.
Castle Hill Tea Room operates seasonally:
- Late February 2026 to March 20th, 2026: Open Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- March 23rd, 2026 to October 30th, 2026: Open Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The tea room is closed from December to late February.
Admission Prices:
- Adults: £8.00
- Seniors: £7.50
- Children (5-15): £4.00
- Family Ticket 1 (1 adult + up to 3 children): £16.00
- Family Ticket 2 (2 adults + up to 3 children): £21.00
- Groups of 20 or more: £7.00 per person
Membership Options:
- Friends of Castle Hill: Enjoy 12 months unlimited access to the gardens. Prices are £30 for a single membership, £45 for a couple, and £50 for a family membership.
- RHS Members: Free access for one member per card, Monday to Wednesday (excluding special event days).
- Historic Houses Members: Free access for each member, Monday to Friday (excluding special event days).
For more information or to purchase memberships, visit the ticket office or contact Castle Hill via email.
Historic Houses members visit for free on normal open days. Advance booking is not necessary: just check in at the kiosk on arrival.
Adults: £8.00
Seniors: £7.50
Child (5-15): £4.00
Under 5’s: free
Family Ticket 1 £16.00 (1 adult + up to 3 children)
Family Ticket 2 £21.00 (2 adults + up to 3 children)
Friends of Castle Hill – 12 months unlimited access when gardens open Single £30.00, Couple £45.00, Family £50.00
Group visits of 20+ via coach welcome £7.00 (pre-booking required)
Please contact us to arrange:
Crystal Andrews
01598 760 336
We offer visits for primary and secondary schools.
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
Getting here
Filleigh, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0RH
Leave A361 at roundabout west of South Molton on to the B3226. Follow brown signs to Castle Hill Gardens, follow signs to parking for Gardens.
Take a train to Barnstaple and taxi to Filleigh.
Stagecoach bus route 155 from Barnstaple and or South Molton.
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