Things To See and Do
Climb the Totnes Castle steps
Climb the steps of Totnes Castle’s keep and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views across the town of Totnes and the river Dart.
Trace the development of the town through the centuries in the architecture of the buildings – can you pick out High Street, Saxon in origin? It’s flanked by the Butterwalk and Poultry Walk, which indicate the site of an early market place.
Examine Tones Castle's Keep
Originally Totnes Castle was an earthwork and timber construction. In the early 13th century, the shell keep was built to crown the mound. This was later rebuilt: the structure you can see today. Circular in shape, Totnes Castle is one of the best preserved of the three such keeps in Devon. Look closely, and you can see the defensive arrow slits and battlements.
Relax in the Bailey
Step into the courtyard or bailey, now a grassed area sheltered by trees. Centuries ago, this would have bustled with activity and was crammed with timber buildings including accommodation for the Garrison.
Today, you can enjoy a peaceful picnic or escape the hustle of the town centre. Can you spot the graffiti on the tree carved by prisoners during the Second World War?
Get active on the moat walk
Once you have explored the castle keep and bailey at Totnes, take a walk around the outside wall of the castle to see the steep sided ditch and outer bank which would have formed part of the original defences for the entrance.
Now covered in wild flowers and plants, it is a beautiful walk giving you a sense of how it would have looked centuries ago.
Meet a very old tree
One of the ancient trees standing in the bailey of the castle is a Holm Oak, thought to be more than 150 years old and reaching to the height of the castle keep.
The Holm Oak offers a sheltered spot for visitors to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. It’s a fine example of this beautiful tree, whose name is the ancient word for holly.
The Saxon town of Totnes
Totnes Castle commands a dominant position overlooking the town of Totnes. From Saxon times, the town developed crafts, industries and a mint issuing coins to become an extremely prosperous centre for trade.
Today it is still a thriving town, with a great, artistic community. There are plenty of independent shops, cafes and galleries to explore, all within easy walking distance of the castle.