Totnes Castle

Totnes Castle sits high on a hill above the town, commanding the approaches from three valleys. One of the best surviving examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle, Totnes was first erected in the 11th century as a wooden palisade on a high mound.

Extensive remodeling in the 13th and 14th centuries created a circular stone keep atop the mound, surrounded by a curtain wall. The keep has survived in excellent condition, though the outer defenses have been left to crumble.

Editor's View
English Heritage have produced a very nice guide to the castle for children, full of interesting historical anecdotes and games designed to teach children about the castle in a painless way. My own daughter at age 4 was fascinated by the guide and kept asking for it to be read to her, many months after our visit to Totnes.