Plea to keep Totnes Castle open all year round

Fears of vandalism if it shuts for the winter

It has never been invaded or besieged in the 900 years or so that it has been standing guard over the town, but now Totnes Castle faces what local councillors say is one of the biggest battles it has ever seen.

English Heritage wants to close the gates of the castle through the winter to cut costs.

 But councillors say that will deny locals access to their beloved castle as well as increasing the risk of vandalism.

Now South Hams Council is being asked to lobby English Heritage in a bid to get it to change its mind.

The classic motte and bailey castle – originally built by Judhael of Totnes shortly after the Norman Conquest – is one of 21 English Heritage sites around the country which could be closed in winter as part of a review.

The charity, which manages more than 400 historic sites across England, says only 11 people visited Totnes Castle last November, not enough to offset the cost of keeping it open.

When the full South Hams Council meets on Thursday next week, members will be asked to back a motion from Totnes councillors John Birch (Lib Dem) and Georgina Allen (Green).

They say: “Totnes was never invaded or besieged, so the castle didn’t have to be used for defence, but now it faces a new threat.

“There are many local people who are English Heritage members just so that they can access the areas surrounding the castle and the bailey as a leisure facility.  Any day of the week in summer and on weekends in winter people pop in to walk their dogs, to exercise, meditate, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful peaceful space.

“Totnes is an all-year-round tourist destination. The castle is a must on any visitor’s list, and plenty of locals enjoy taking their own weekend winter visitors to the castle, such a great place to climb up to the top of the walls and marvel at the spectacular views of the town.

“Closing the castle permanently for the winter months will compromise the integrity of the building.  There will be no staff checking on maintenance problems and the threat of vandalism will increase without a regular weekly presence there to act as a deterrent.”

Totnes Town Council has also made representations to English Heritage against the proposed winter weekend closure.