Okehampton Castle is located on the northern edge of the
Dartmoor National Park. The castle started its life as a
mound around the 11th century.
From the 12th century, the principal use of Okehampton Castle
by its owners was as a huntying lodge. The surrounding
estates, filled with deer and wild boar, offered some of the
best hunting grounds in Devon.
Okehampton Castle was a castle of chivalry rather than a
defensive stronghold. All visitors to the castle entered
through the barbican. The barbican controlled
access to the main gate.
The current state of the castle is mostly due to locals
harvesting stone from it during the 15 century for local
construction.
Here's Cara standing in the remains of the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was the focus for business and domestic life.
The Hall was heated from an open hearth fire. The principle
features of the hall were the cusped tracery in the windows and
the base-cruck roof structure. The recesses for the roof timbers
can be seen in this photograph, but the original roof timbers
have long since gone.
August 2006.
A view out of the remains of the Great Hall towards the
castles centre piece.
August 2006.
A view out of the remains of the Great Hall towards the
castles centre piece.
August 2006.
A closer view of the remains. How does that top bit not topple off?
August 2006.
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