The National Trust has appointed a new contractor to complete the third and final phase of the five year project repairing and conserving Castle Drogo. Dӕdalus Conservation will be picking up the reigns to continue work making the castle watertight and structurally sound, after the previous contractor went into administration last year.
The firm, who have over 25 years of experience managing conservation building work, will be taking the project to completion, starting work at the castle in May this year. Now well over half way, the project is scheduled to finish by the end of 2018...
As we put the clocks forward this weekend, the National Trust’s Castle Drogo is inviting people to donate their unwanted clocks to become part of a new contemporary art installation, ‘Harrison’s Garden,’ by internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram, that will be on display at the castle from 14 July. The countdown to collect timepieces starts this Sunday, 26 March, as Castle Drogo hopes to gather over 500 ticking treasures from the public by 7 July. The 500 clocks will join 2000 clocks already part of the installation that will go on display. ‘Harrison’s Garden’ promises to be a...
Castle Drogo will be the backdrop for a creative programme of exhibitions and performances celebrating the creative spirit of Dartmoor from Saturday 14 May until Sunday 19 June. There will be artist’s exhibitions, workshops, theatre and a costume display by the students of Plymouth College of Art. The event launched on Friday 13 May with an open evening, including live music, games and a chance to see ‘Trousseau’, a costume display by the students of Plymouth College in the castle. As part of the Festival of Arts there will be ‘Art in the Hut’. Artists such as Diane Bailey, Caroline Turner...
Castle Drogo has been successfully shortlisted for Museums at Night for the second time in three years and the race is now on to win artist Peter Liversidge to host the after-hours event in October 2016. Peter Liversidge is a British contemporary artist who has exhibited in the Tate Liverpool and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. He is most notable for his use of proposals, written on a manual typewriter. The Castle Drogo team loved the link between Peter’s approach and the idea that the original idea for Castle Drogo may have started as a proposal on paper in the 1900s. If...
After the long wet winter, Castle Drogo’s rhododendron garden is bursting into colour following vital conservation work and visitors can now stroll through the new paths and admire the vivid plants and other spring flowers such as daffodils, camellias and bluebells carpeting the garden floor.
For those who find accessing areas such as the garden or wider Drogo estate difficult, there is now a tramper available to hire as part of the Countryside Mobility South West scheme. The tramper route takes in some of the most fragrant parts of the garden including the azalea path and rose...
A Dartmoor Arts project 2-day weekend course: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May 2016. At Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton EX6 6PB. 10am - 5pm, £60/£50
This is a comprehensive introduction to the skills, techniques, tools and purposes of stonemasonry with 2 experienced tutors, Trevor Clarke and Ben Martin. You will learn how to use and maintain tools, practice masonry and letter carving techniques and can work on a project of your own, carve an inscription or a 3D piece, or both. All materials and tools are provided. The course will include a tour of Castle Drogo, currently undergoing...
A rare chance to see a vibrant tapestry by artist Grayson Perry, created for his popular Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman exhibition at The British Museum, is set to be displayed at the National Trust’s Castle Drogo from Saturday 5th March.
The 15ft wide Map of Truths and Beliefs, created by Perry in 2011, will be part of the new Truth and Triomphe exhibition at the castle. Perry’s tapestry will be hung alongside a French masterpiece, the 300 year old Char de Triomphe, made for King Louis XIV and believed to have hung in the Palace of Versailles during his reign.
Castle Drogo is holding a volunteer open day on Saturday 6 February from 11am until 3pm for anyone who would like to find out more about getting involved.
This is the most exciting time in the history of Castle Drogo since its initial construction. After receiving funding in 2012 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Interreg, a European grant, the building project is now over half way. More volunteers than ever are needed to share the exciting interpretation that has been created.
Laurence Harvey, Volunteer Coordinator, says: “There are lots of opportunities at Castle Drogo,...
