As a unique experience, guests get the opportunity to stay in a magnificent castle, surrounded by wonderful landscape gardens.
"Views over bays and cliffs from a castle stronghold – a unique holiday opportunity . . ."
Watermouth Castle offers a rare combination of opportunities – for not only do visitors have the chance to live in a castle, but they also enjoy unlimited, free entry to one of the West Country’s premier tourist attractions during their stay (please note that the park, castle and facilities are closed in winter). Within the splendid castle itself, there are seven superb apartments, an indoor heated swimming pool, a museum, a choice of theme attractions, and some fascinating water displays. Outside, the castle’s 50-acre estate features wonderful landscaped gardens, with plenty of space for strolling and relaxing, and glorious woodland walks. There are ducks and waterfowl to admire on the lake outside the walls, and beautiful views from the castle over Watermouth Bay and its harbour, where there are slipway facilities for visitors’ boats, as well as moorings for larger craft (by arrangement with the harbourmaster).
The castle is a true example of a Victorian folly, completed in the mid 19th century by the Bassett family. Now extensively restored by the current owner, its self-contained holiday apartments are reached through an archway in the south court, where the indoor heated swimming pool is available exclusively to apartment residents. Harbour Apartment (ref FHH) and West Tower Apartment (ref FHJ) are west-facing and overlook the harbour, Rhododendron Apartment (ref FHM), South Court Apartment (ref FHP) and Bassett Apartment (ref FHL) overlook the south court towards the wooded hills, and Penn-Curzon Apartment (ref FHK) has sea views from the living room.
A separate part of the castle, open to the public, contains the fascinating museum collections, including a Victorian kitchen, animated displays, mechanical musical instruments, a large model railway and a unique arcade of pier slot machines, all in working order. In the underground theatre is the Water Spectacular, reputedly one of the best fountain shows in the world, a thrilling mix of lights, music and water. Outside in the grounds are further family entertainments, including traditional rides and slides, fascinating water features, children’s play areas, a ‘Gnomeland’, themed crazy-golf, and much, much more all of which earned Watermouth Castle a place in the finals of the South West Tourism ‘Large Visitor Attraction Of The Year’ Award in 2005.
Watermouth Castle enjoys an incomparable setting on rising ground, commanding views over the bays and cliffs of the magnificent coastline stretching away to the east. Take a woodland walk through the estate to the picturesque, award-winning village of Berrynarbor, or visit the coastal village of Combe Martin (less than 3 miles to the east) – famous not only for its sandy coves, inlets and majestic headlands but also as ‘the gateway to the Exmoor National Park’. Combe Martin offers a choice of shops and cafes, and one of Devon’s oldest inns! Ilfracombe is only a five minute drive away to the west, with a range of seaside attractions, good shops and a golf course, and visitors can enjoy miles of golden sand at nearby Woolacombe and Croyde Bay. Superb cliff-top scenery and beautiful wooded valleys make this one of North Devon’s most scenic areas – as well as a paradise for walkers. Beach 500 yards. Shops 2 miles, pub 1 mile.
Note: Music may filter into the pool area from the antique Mortier organ between 10am and 6pm.
All on the first floor.
Living/dining room: With Freeview TV and DVD player.
Kitchen: Galley style with gas cooker, microwave and fridge.
Bedroom 1: With mahogany double half-tester bed.
Bedroom 2: With twin four-poster beds.
Bathroom: With shower over cast-iron castle bath, and toilet.
Heaters included. Private parking.
Gas, electricity, bed linen and Wi-Fi included. Towel hire, £3per person. Cot and highchair available on request. Welcome pack. Payphone (shared with other properties on site). Utility room with coin-operated washing machine and tumble dryer (shared with other properties on site). Office facilities with fax/modem/photocopier available on request. Patio with garden furniture and barbecue (shared with other properties on site). 50-acre grounds (shared with other properties on site. Indoor heated swimming pool (shared with other properties on site, 10m x 4m, depth 1m to 1.5m, open 8.30am-9.30pm). No smoking. Please note: There is a lake and pond in the grounds.
ADDITIONAL FREE FACILITIES
Indoor heated swimming pool and sun lounge. Unlimited free entry to award-winning ’Watermouth Castle Family Attraction’ offering a wealth of experiences and entertainment for all ages. (open Easter– end Oct)
