Berry Pomeroy Castle
Totnes, Devon
A late medieval fortress wrapped around an unfinished Elizabethan mansion, and one of the few sites where your dog is welcome in the castle, shop and café.
Berry Pomeroy is two castles in one and both are worth your time. You arrive at the imposing gatehouse and towered walls of the late medieval Pomeroy fortress, and inside stands the shell of something entirely different: a mansion begun around 1560 and intended to be the most spectacular house in Devon. The money ran out, it was never finished, and by 1700 it was abandoned.
While you work through the ruins that drew sightseers, artists and a heavy reputation for hauntings through the 18th century, your dog gets the valley. It sits in steep sided woodland with walks running from the car park down and around, giving you views back up at the ruins from below. Those paths include some steep slopes and they are the best part of the visit: proper Devon woodland, deep leaf litter and shade.
This is one of the more genuinely dog friendly sites English Heritage run. Dogs on leads are welcome in the castle, the gift shop and the café, which is unusual and worth knowing. The car park is 50 metres from the entrance and free for castle and café visitors. The postcode is unreliable for sat nav, so check the road access directions first.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dog on leads are welcome in the castle, gift shop and café.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £9.35 adult
- £4.67 child · £23.37 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01803 866618
- Parking
- The car park is located 50 metres from the front entrance and is free of charge for patrons of the café and castle. There are between 25 and 30 spaces available for cars and minibuses only (please note that the site is not accessible to coaches). At peak times the car park can become full so there may not always be parking available. Additional parking is available in Totnes, which is located roughly 2 1/2 miles from the site.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berry Pomeroy Castle dog friendly?
Berry Pomeroy is one of the more genuinely dog-friendly sites that English Heritage runs. Dogs on leads are welcome inside the castle itself, as well as in the gift shop and café — which is unusual enough to be worth highlighting. There are also woodland walks running from the car park down through the steep-sided valley, with views back up at the ruins from below.
Are dogs allowed at Berry Pomeroy Castle year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs at Berry Pomeroy Castle. That said, it's always worth checking directly with English Heritage before you travel, particularly around special events or maintenance periods.
What should I know before visiting Berry Pomeroy Castle with my dog?
Keep your dog on a lead throughout the visit, including in the castle, shop and café. The woodland paths around the site include some steep slopes, so it's worth having a secure hold on your lead, especially on the way down into the valley. One practical note: the postcode is unreliable for sat nav, so check the road access directions before you set off.
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