Watermouth Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Watermouth Castle
Watermouth Castle, showing two of its main sides.
Location	Watermouth, Devon, England
Built	1825
Architect	George Wightwick
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	9 March 1953
Reference no.	1168686
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Watermouth Castle is a large country house in Watermouth, near Ilfracombe in North Devon, England. Although it looks like a medieval fortress, it's not a real castle. It was built in 1825 to be a family home. The building is special and has been protected as a Grade II* listed building, which means it is an important part of England's history.

Today, the castle is a popular family theme park. Inside, you can see a collection of items from the Victorian period, like old-fashioned tools and fun amusement machines. The castle and its grounds are also home to holiday apartments, making it a unique place to visit and stay.

History of the Castle

The story of Watermouth Castle is all about the families who lived there. It was built for a wealthy family and passed down through generations before becoming the attraction it is today.

The Bassett Family Builds a Home

A drawing of the house that stood at Watermouth before the castle was built. This drawing was made in 1796.

The castle was built for Joseph Davie Bassett, who came from a rich and important local family. Before the castle existed, there was a different, simpler house on the land. Joseph decided to replace it with the grand castle we see today. He wanted a home that looked impressive and stood out.

The Bassett family lived in the castle for over 100 years. One of Joseph's sons, Arthur Davie Bassett, sadly died in a horse-riding accident. The castle was eventually passed down to his granddaughter, Edith Bassett Bassett.

During World War I, the castle was used as a hospital to care for injured soldiers. In the years that followed, Edith began to sell parts of the large estate. In 1942, she sold most of the furniture and items inside Watermouth Castle. The Bassett family finally left the castle in 1945.

New Owners and a New Purpose

After the Bassetts left, the castle had several different owners. For a short time, it was owned by a businessman and politician named Keith Wickenden.

In 1977, a man named Richard L. Haines bought the castle and 60 acres of land. He and his family had a brilliant idea: to turn the castle into a tourist attraction for everyone to enjoy. They worked hard to create an amusement park, which was run by the Haines family for many years. In 2023, a company called "The Escapade Group," which also owns another park called Hobbledown, took over.

Watermouth Castle Today

Watermouth Castle is now a fun-filled tourist attraction. It combines history with theme park excitement, making it a great place for a day out.

Inside the castle, you can explore different exhibits. You can hunt for "Castle Treasure," get lost in the "Dungeon Labyrinths," and watch "The Watershow Extravaganza," a show with lights, music, and fountains.

Outside in the castle grounds, there are many rides and play areas. The park is divided into different zones:

• Adventure Land
• Merry go Land
• Gnome Land

These areas have rides and activities for the whole family, set in the beautiful landscape around the castle.