Explore the Great Hall
In 1931 the castle was in complete ruin, and the Great Hall needed complete restoration. It remained roofless until 1955, but is now a light and impressive room. On chilly days apple wood burns on the fire, filling the hall with aromatic smells. Look out for a model of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's ship the Squirrel in this room: in 1583, in the name of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Humphrey Gilbert colonised Newfoundland.
See the Solar and Sub Solar
The Sub Solar was originally a cellar but in 1450, when the family wanted more space, this whole block to the west of the Great Hall was rebuilt. The ceiling was raised to make a comfortable new room.
A climb up the fifteenth century staircase leads to the Solar; in large medieval houses the Solar was a private living room away from the noise of the Great Hall.
Step back in time in the medieval kitchen
The large cooking fire was a constant danger to the rest of the house and to reduce the risk of a fire spreading, the kitchen was built in a separate building. The high barrel roof and windows let out any smoke that did not go up the three-flued chimney.
To the right of the hearth, the kitchen opens into one of the inner towers originally built to help defend the castle. Here you will find a range of medieval costumes created by Compton Castle volunteers, to show what life was like. Costumes are available for both children and adults to try on.
The tower itself has several floors and visitors will spot a curved stone staircase in the corner leading to a room directly above, which may have been used as a guard room. To keep our visitors safe, please note the staircase and room is closed.
Don't miss the defences
No castle is complete without its defences. The manor was enlarged in the 1450s and then fortified in response to French raids on Plymouth in the 1520s. A close eye could be kept on the two portcullises from the lookout holes close to the ground, and arrows fired through loop holes, kept attackers at bay. Anyone that got through and climbed the walls met stones or boiling oil thrown down holes high up on the walls.
