Exeter University Club: Exeter Branch Lunch and Guided Tour of Powderham Castle

The Manor of Powderham was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It came into the Courtenay family in the dowry of Margaret de Bohun on her marriage to Hugh de Courtenay, son of the first Courtenay Earl of Devon in 1325. The Courtenays had come from France in the reign of Henry II and had acquired considerable lands and power in the South West by judicious marriages to wealthy heiresses.

During the English civil war Powderham Castle was under siege by the Roundheads a number of times in the years 1645 to 1646 but remained loyal to the Royalists until it eventually fell.
It has suffered a chequered history until the present day. Recently the present Earl of Devon was forced to sell a large number of possessions in order to be able to maintain the property.

Meet at 12 noon in the castle car park for lunch at 12.30pm in the tea room inside the castle courtyard.

Providing we are at least 15 persons the Group admission rate is £6.50 for Seniors/Adults £7.50
The afternoon guided tour will be at 2:30pm.

Contact: Ian Thomson by Saturday 8 September 2012 to book your place (01626 867363)