Castle Drogo-National Trust

This is an unusual view...
Can you guess where in the Castle this is? 🍾

Here is Baptisia australis, or blue false indigo. It’s a herbaceous perennial that can be found in the blue borders at Drogo. It prefers lime green soil and is very deep rooted so dislikes being moved once established.
It originates from North America where it was used as a dye by the Cherokees. True indigo originates from Malaysia.

It's nearly the summer holidays!

Looking for ways to get out and about with the family? Get ready for a sports filled Summer at Castle Drogo, with plenty of activities to keep you moving.

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo for more information.

A sneak peek of the study before it's opening 👀... coming soon!
Make sure you come and visit Drogo so you can see it for yourself.

We're returning to roses in the shrubbery this week.

Here is Rosa 'Rambling Rector', a rather lovely and very vigorous rambling rose. You'll find it at the top of the shrubbery near the Bunty House where it is making a good attempt to scale a sycamore tree. This is not a rose for the faint hearted as it will quite happily grow up through large trees.

It is a once a year flowering rose, but will go on to produce brightly coloured hips later in the year.

The shop has plenty ready to get yourself out and about this summer!

It's national Cream Tea day, and the weather is finally perfect for enjoying one! Why visit us here at Castle Drogo for a perfect afternoon tea.

This week's plant is here by popular request. A lot of visitors are asking after its identity and a number of people have suggested it as plant of the week.
This is Dactylorhiza foliosa, or Madeiran orchid. It is found growing on the shady side of the herbaceous borders and is a beautiful shade of purple-magenta. Its botanical Latin name comes from the shape of its roots, which are finger-like (the dactyl bit of the name).

This is an unusual view...
Can you guess where in the Castle this is? 💡

The formal gardens are looking very colourful as we move properly into the summer! The roses are especially beautiful this time of year, so make sure to visit and enjoy it for yourself.

The Study is getting ready to open!

Here, Franco our Senior Collections Officer, and Tim our General Tradesperson are hanging the original door back in its frame. This is to prepare it for opening as a new space in the Castle soon!

On Saturday 22nd June, Staddons Farm Apiaries will be in the shop between 1pm and 3pm for a 'meet the local maker'.

This is certainly an unusual view...
Can you guess where in the Castle this might be? 🧐

This week, we celebrated Volunteers’ Week with our wonderful volunteer teams. Across all areas, from the Visitor Centre and Castle to the Gardens and the Turbine House… we really couldn’t do it without you! A huge thank you not just this week, but every week.

To find out more about what volunteering means at Castle Drogo, get in touch at [email protected]

Ever fancied visiting Castle Drogo and the Teign Gorge but can't get to us? Good news. Starting this weekend, as part of , we will be running a shuttle bus between Okehampton train station and the Castle for FREE!
Find out more here 👉 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo/sustainable-travel-across-dartmoor-national-trust

It's easy to take the train from Exeter or Crediton to Okehampton and we'll do the rest. 🚂🚍

We'd love to get more people to our site who don't have access to a car, or those who'd like the challenge of traveling sustainably. Help us take the first step towards greener transport and go on a car free adventure this .

Head to our website to help plan your day 👇
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo

The wall around the Herbaceous boarder is having some repairs done this week. Built in the 1920's the wall is an original feature of the garden and part of the design by Lutyens. After 100 years holding up against the Dartmoor weather, the walls are now getting a bit of TLC. The work will be ongoing throughout the week, as small sections are taken apart and stones reset in lime mortar.

One of garden team spotted a small pearl bordered fritillary 🦋. They like damp grassland, moorland, and open woodland and get their name from the row of 'pearls' on the underside of their wings.

Have a car-free day out at Castle Drogo!
As part of Great Big Green Week (8 -16 June), we are excited to announce that we are offering a free Castle Drogo Shuttle Bus service on selected dates, between Okehampton and the Castle. To find out more head to our website 👉
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo/sustainable-travel-across-dartmoor-national-trust

Looking for some half term fun?

Come and join us at Castle Drogo from the 25th May to the 2nd June for our natural navigation trail! Your skills with nature will be put to the test as you move through gardens with only the landscape around you as a guide.

Make sure to come down and see the bluebells here at Castle Drogo! There's not long left until they're out of season.

To brighten up your midweek, here's some shots of the beautiful colours in the garden from Saturday! Now that the sun is out more the garden is ready to be fully enjoyed.

📸 Christine Gray

Don't forget we also post on our instagram! Make sure to check us out over there as well.

https://www.instagram.com/castledrogont/?fbclid=IwAR2MCpfmnCuqN86Lpdh0kiEuFpYBUfaugMoHeO_vpIog5pueCicR8q2VgrE

Needing a treat for your bank holiday?

The café at Drogo is the perfect place to satisfy those cravings! With a Rhubarb and Custard cake and new double chocolate and pistachio cookies, you won't be disappointed.

What's coming up in the Castle Drogo Shop?

To celebrate the (hopeful) move towards warmer weather up here, you'll find our "perfect pollinators" table full of spring time treats. It includes a beehive handmade by Helen in the shop as well as local honey.

Towards the end of the month on the 25th May we have a "Meet the Local Maker" event where Four Elms Fruit Farm will be doing tastings of local apple juice and cider. For more info, you can check out the event on our website.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo

This little shrub is Fothergilla major, or, Mountain witch alder. Although originating from south eastern USA, it does well here and can be found growing on the shady side of the shrubbery. It's distinctive flowers are fantastically perfumed in spring and in autumn it's leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red before falling to the floor.

Second hand book sale!

This bank holiday weekend Castle Drogo will be holding a second hand book sale.

Whether you're looking for a holiday read, a gift, or a surprise, you're sure to find a bargain.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo/events/27a57487-e658-42e5-bb91-46ad31187580

If you're planning a visit to Castle Drogo don't forget to check out our café and shop.

We've got some new flavours for you to try in the café, including tasty rhubarb flapjacks and our popular watercress soup, perfect with a cheese scone.

The shop is fully stocked with a large selection of plants. Popular at the moment are and our selection of herbs and herbaceous plants.

Finally getting some warmer weather has prompted the crab apple trees to blossom in full force! Seeing all the colours in the garden has been a welcome change from winter.

📸 Arran Edge

Spring has sprung in the Bunty House garden!

These tulips are delicate species that do well in shady tough conditions perfect for the Bunty House garden. The yellow is Tulipa sylvestris which originates from Eurasia and North Africa where it grows in woodland conditions. The pale pink one is Tulipa saxatilis, also known as the candia tulip and originates from Greece and Turkey. Finally, the deep pink one is Tulipa 'Little Beauty', a lovely miniature variety.