Compton Castle

Compton Castle is a medieval fortified house, the historic seat of the Gilbert family and now owned by the National Trust. The core of the house dates back to around 1320, with significant additions and alterations made around 1450 and between 1500 and the early 18th century. A restoration program occurred between 1930 and 1955, and the hall was rebuilt between 1954 and 1955. The construction uses local limestone rubble, dressed with red sandstone, white Beerstone, and granite for corbels, lintels, and copings, all covered by slate roofs.

Only portions of the early 14th-century, four-bay hall’s screens passage remain, and it has been reconstructed in the 20th century. At the western end, a solar and withdrawing room feature a polygonal bay window facing west, alongside a large tower to the southwest and a chapel projecting at right angles to the north west, all dating to around 1450. The chapel contains Perpendicular four-light windows and a pointed turned vaulted roof, with a priest's room above. To the east, the service wing includes a buttery, pantry, offices, angle towers to the northeast and southeast, and a kitchen wing to the southeast with another tower on the southeast corner – all constructed around 1500. A north front wall, built around 1500, runs parallel to the projecting chapel and service wings, creating a small courtyard in front of the hall. This front elevation is nearly symmetrical, featuring a contemporary corner tower on the northwest side to balance the northeast tower; both are gabled, albeit in different directions, and have corbelled oriels.

The main portcullis entrance is slightly left of centre, with corbelled machicolations and battlements along the high courtyard wall. Adjacent to the entrance is the Perpendicular north window of the chapel and a service room. A further portcullis leads to a postern gateway on the far left. Outer walls run along the east, west, and south, with another tower on the southeast corner built in the early 16th century. All the towers are square with gabled roofs.

The castle was abandoned by the Gilbert family in around 1750, in favour of Sandridge in Stoke Gabriel, and later used as a farm. It was reacquired by the Gilberts in the 20th century, and, in addition to rebuilding the hall, underwent a thorough restoration. Originally, the land was held by the Comptons. Joan, daughter and heiress of William de Compton, married Geoffrey Gilbert, who built the original house. Compton Castle was the residence of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, the explorer and navigator who claimed Newfoundland in 1583, and he was a half-brother to Sir Walter Raleigh.