Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge a stunning riverside walk

Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge

Our latest autumnal day out was a visit to the National Trust owned, Castle Drogo, on Dartmoor. It’s around a 40-mile drive from the Beach Haven.

Castle Drogo is not actually a castle; it was built as a family home built between 1911 and 1930, however, it was built as if it were a castle with huge granite walls and it sits high on a ridge overlooking the Teign Gorge. It is coming to the end of a massive 7-year conservation project to make it watertight as it always had leaking roofs and windows. Next spring it should be open again in all its glory.

Castle Drogo is also a good starting point for a stunning 4-mile circular walk down to Fingle Bridge along the ridge, and back via the riverside path.

The Fingle Bridge Inn is a beautiful spot to sit and have a spot of lunch too!

Castle Drogo on Dartmoor
The start of our walk from Castle Drogo down the Teign Gorge to Fingle Bridge.
Looking our over Dartmoor from Sharp Tor, a short stroll from Castle Drogo car park.
Admiring the stunning view with Castle Drogo peeking through the trees on the ridge.
A perfect, early autumn day for a walk.
Fingle Bridge Inn – the ideal midpoint pitstop!
Finlay eagerly awaiting a few lunchtime scraps at Fingle Bridge.
What an idyllic lunchtime pitstop! A ploughmans took our fancy today – and lovely it was too!
A quick photo on the old bridge before our return walk along the river.
A prefect, tranquil scene on the river Teign. Nearly the end of October but it looks like early autumn. The leaves are only just starting to turn.
The tumbling river Teign.
Finlay was in seventh heaven: woods and a river: second only to a beach for him!!
A suspension bridge is not what you’d expect to find here but of course this is connected with Castle Drogo. It’s close to the river turbine which generates electricity for the property.
A couple of posers on the bridge!
Nearing the end of the walk. Just to the climb back up to the Castle to negotiate.
The stunning view from Hunter’s Tor.
The amazing panorama from Hunter’s Tor is well worth the small diversion at the end of the walk.