Heritage near Paignton

Berry Pomeroy Castle

29 May 2011

Reputedly Devon's most haunted castle, Berry Pomeroy is secreted away in a steep wooded valley. The 15th century ruin still displays a wall painting of the Three Kings in its gatehouse chamber. The great Elizabethan mansion of the Seymours was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon, a match for Longleat and Audley End, however, it was abandoned by 1700 and subsequently became the subject of many a chilling ghost story, some of which can be heard in the audio tour. To get a good view of the ruin from below, take the woodland walk, although this can be steep in parts.

All Saints Church

Famed for the hymn "Abide With Me" which was penned by Henry Francis Lyte who was the rector here from 1823 until 1847.

Brixham Battery Heritage Centre

The Brixham Battery Heritage Group are all volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and restore the grounds and buildings of the coastal defence battery. Open Sunday, Monday and Friday from 2pm - 4pm you can learn about the history and operation of the site which was built in 1940.

Compton Castle

A castle straight out of a fairytale - turrets, towers and battlements galore. There's house, squirrel and garden trails, plus walks with the gardener. Further details and events at the property are on their Web site.

Dartington Hall

Dance, arts, film, contemporary performance, literature, music - there's a year-round programme of events at this wonderful medieval house set on a 1,200 acre estate by the River Dart.

The Agatha Christie Mile

Start at either the Imperial Hotel or the Grand Hotel on the seafront and step back in time to the Jazz Age. Take a look at the English Riviera website for the details of where to visit. Places include Beacon Cove where Agatha almost drowned and The Princess Pier where she went roller skating as a child.

The Brutus Stone

Set in front of 51 Fore Street, folklore has it thatTrojan Brutus first stepped ashore onto this small granite boulder here in 1136 stating "Here I stand and here I rest. And this town shall be called Totnes".