There has been a fortification on the site of Tiverton Castle since the reign of Henry I in 1106. The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries saw rebuilds and updates when the Castle was home to the powerful medieval Earls of Devon. In the seventeenth century the Castle was converted into a country home and today it is the private home of Angus and Alison Gordon.
STOPS
Tiverton
On your marks!...
Tiverton is a historic market town situated in Mid Devon at the confluence of two rivers - the Exe and the Lowman. The town has many fine examples of architecture dating from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries as well as a pannier market and a period art deco cinema.
Tiverton Castle
Now the Castle consists of ancient and modern buildings and visitors can learn the history of the Castle, explore the beautiful walled gardens or try on some English Civil War Armour. There's also antique furniture and royal paintings. You can even feel the weight of a cannonball but mind you don't drop it on your foot!
Address: Tiverton Castle, Park Hill, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6RP
Telephone: 01884 253200 or 01884 255200
Email: Send email
Website: Tiverton Castle
Admission times: For day visits Tiverton Castle is open to the public from Easter Sunday to the end of October on Sundays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 2.30pm ‑ 5.30pm. Last admission is 5.00pm.
Admission charges: Adults: £10.00, Children 7-16: £5.00, Under 7: Free, Disabled unable to climb stairs: Half price, Garden only: £3.00.
Accessibility: Disabled visitors are most welcome, but wheelchair access is limited to the garden and ground floor of the Castle only. Learn about the History, and if interested pieces of armour can be brought down to try on. There is a wide, shallow Jacobean staircase to the first floor, with a very wide banister for visitors who can climb stairs, however slowly.
Toilets: Yes
Shop: Yes
Knightshayes Court
Knightshayes Court is a Victorian country home on a large estate of 19th-century parkland and beautiful post-war gardens. The house was built in the Gothic Revival style and designed by English architect William Burges for the Heathcoat-Amory family. The gardens were laid out by English landscape architect Edward Kemp and were modified in the mid 20th century. One of the paintings displayed in the house is thought to be a self-portrait by Rembrandt.
The Mid Devon Show is currently held at Knightshayes once a year and is well worth a visit if you can make it on the day.
Address: Knightshayes Court, Bolham, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7RQ
Telephone: 0344 800 1895 9-5.30 Monday to Friday and 9-4 weekends and bank holidays.
Email: Send email
Website: Knightsahayes Court (National Trust)
Admission times: The parkland, cafe, shop and toilets are open 7 days a week. See website for opening times of the house and gardens as works are being carried out periodically.
Admission charges: Adult £12, Child £6, Family £30 (includes 2 adults and up to 3 children), 1 adult and up to 3 children £18, Group Adult £11.40. Gift aid prices are optional which are 10% higher.
Parking: Parking is free for National Trust members, for non-members it's £1 for one hour, £2 for two hours, £3 for three hours or £4 for the whole day.
Accessibility: The route through the garden is free-flow and the circular path is hard standing, however it is steep in some areas.
Refreshments: Yes, at Stables Café - open 10am to 4pm daily.
Dogs policy: Dogs are welcome out in the parkland and woodland but must be on a lead in fields with sheep. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas.
Toilets: Yes
Shop: Yes
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life
The Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life traces the history and heritage of the Mid Devon area from local industries and trade to the everyday home life of Mid Devon folk. See the amazing 'Tivvy Bumper' (a GWR steam engine) and farm wagons. Explore the history of farming and lace making - both industries local to the area.
The Museum also houses the Tiverton Tourist Information Service where you can plan visits to other attractions and places of interest.
Address: Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, Beck’s Square, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6PJ
Telephone: 01884 256295
Email: Send email
Website: Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life
Admission times: Tue to Sat 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Admission charges: See website
Parking: There is a short stay pay and display car park right outside our door (blue badge holders must pay but are given a one hour extension on the ticket’s expiry time). We are only a few minutes from the long stay multi storey car park.
Accessibility: A lift is available so that all of the galleries are accessible for wheelchair users. There is an audio (T) loop in reception and some galleries have listening points.
Refreshments: No
Dogs policy: The Museum are dog-friendly and welcome your well-behaved pet and assistance dogs. Dogs must be kept on a short lead.
Toilets & baby changing: Yes
Shop: Yes
Tivoli Art Deco Cinema
The Tivoli Cinema on Tiverton's Fore Street is a single screen cinema built in the Art Deco style. In 2008, the Tivoli was the subject of a campaign led by Dame Helen Mirren to 'Save the Tivoli'. The cinema was purchased by Merlin Cinemas Group who still run it today. It has since flourished and in 2011 was upgraded to digital and 3D.
Address: Tivoli Cinema, 23 Fore Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6LD
Telephone: 01884 255554
Website: Tivoli Cinema
Tickets & prices: See website for details.
Parking: The cinema is situated down a side street half way up the main High Street. Parking is to the rear of the cinema. From the bus station walk up Phoenix Lane and turn onto Fore Street and the Cinema is between HSBC Bank and The Carphone Wharehouse. Alternatively you can park in the Market Car park and walk directly to Fore street to come out opposite the cinema entrance.
Accessibility: The cinema has ramps to aid wheelchair users into the cinema from the main street. There are two wheelchair bays in the screen each with two extra seats alongside. As they do not allocate seats in most of their screenings, to reserve a wheelchair space within the auditorim please contact the cinema's box office during normal opening hours, this also applies should you have any questions regarding accessibility and other accessible facilities.
Disabled toilets: Yes
Art Deco Tour
If you're inspired by the Art Deco design of the Tivoli Cinema then try an Art Deco Tour of London by leading London tour operators London Country Tours. Visit Central London's major art deco attractions as well as the ecletic Eltham Palace, which is a mix of medieval and Art Deco design.
Directions to Tiverton from M3: Leave the M3 westbound motorway at junction 27 and take the A361 exit to Tiverton/Barnstaple. After 7.4 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bolham Road/A3126 into town.
Help us with content
We are eager to improve and add to the Tiverton content on this website. If you would like to contribute or submit a review of an attraction in Tiverton then please email details to us. If you have any Tiverton photos you'd like displayed on the website then email details - we'll then reply so you can send in photos. Thank you.
