Spooky wander around Berry Pomeroy

With Halloween just around the corner, what better time to visit one of the most actively haunted locations in Devon!

There's been a castle at Berry Pomeroy, overlooking Gatcombe since medieval times and in Elizabethan times, the Seymour Family bought the castle from the Pomeroys and extensive remodelled it and built a new mansion within the castle walls.

The castle fell into disrepair during the 17th century, when the focus of the Seymour family kept them in London and the castle developed its gothic romantic outlook from then on, until 1977 when it finally based back to the country and now its managed by English Heritage.

The Ghosts of Berry Pomeroy

There's a few ghosts that go bump in the night around the castle

The Blue Lady is claimed to be a ghost of one of the Pomeroys who strangled her own child by her own father.  She now lures visitors to their doom

In the Grounds of the castle, you can sometimes hear two brothers galloping to their deaths over the cliff to avoid being captured by an invading army.

And the ghost of The White Lady is a story of jealous sisters, with Elinor Pomeroy jealous of her prettier sister, Matilda, and locking her in the dungeon in St Margarets Tower.  Her ghost is now said to haunt the tower and the wall walk alongside it.

On the day itself

We'll be meeting at 10.30 and we'll start with a roughly 5 mile walk around the countryside firstly heading into the village of Berry Pomeroy itself before heading towards Totnes where we'll briefly touch on the eastern edge of the town.

We'll then head towards the valley of Gatscombe and head back towards the castle.

There is a cafe at the castle for those that want a late lunch.

Once we return to the castle, we'll then have an hour or so to explore the castle.  This is managed by English Heritage so you'll need a ticket.  If you're a member, remember to bring your membership card, if you're not a member, you can buy a ticket in advance for 15% off at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berry-pomeroy-castle/.  Tickets will be £9 on the day at the door.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome to join us on this event but we do ask the following:

• Please appreciate the fact that not everyone is a dog owner or lover- especially when we stop to eat
• Please ensure you adhere to the Countryside Code at all times - see (Keeping Dogs Under Effective Control)
• Dogs will need to be kept on leads when in the Castle grounds.

If your dog is uncontrolled and strays in open land frightening other animals or livestock, the leader is supported by the OutdoorLads board of trustees to ask you to leave the event as this is not acceptable behaviour.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

Photo Credits: All photos taken by OutdoorLads members and permission is granted to OutdoorLads for further use.