Thursday, March 7, 2019

Fingle Bridge and Powderham Castle


Today I'd like to take you along to visit a couple of charming places in Devon, England.  We are celebrating our Golden Anniversary here in Britain.  Our first two weeks were in the Lake District and Scotland.  Now we are spending two weeks in Devon and Cornwall.

First you must not be afraid, because we will be taking a very narrow road that is bumpy but enchanting along the way.


The reason I'm requesting you not be afraid so Grayden can concentrate and I can be quiet.


The narrow road leads us down, down, down to a very enchanted spot.


I'm so thankful there are no cars coming toward us!  We're headed down to Fingle Bridge that is over the River Teign. 


This ancient bridge is the gateway to the Fingle Woods and Castle Drogo.  If you read my previous post you know about Drogo. 



After parking the car let's walk across the bridge and drink in the beauty.  There are miles and miles of paths one can take and view the gorge that overlooks Dartmoor.  The Fingle Bridge Inn above looks to be a charming spot to spend the night or enjoy a meal.



The view is lovely and so refreshing.  


Fingle Bridge takes its name from Fingle Brook that flows into the River Teign.  Fingle comes from the old English "fang" meaning to catch.  Of course referencing it to be a great spot for fishing. 


Fingle Bridge was built in the 17th century!  It's been repaired several times.  It sits within the Dartmoor National Park.  It was originally built for packhorses to cross the River Teign. 

It's hard to leave this lovely area, but next we are heading to Powderham Castle.  Maybe the road will be easier there.


The lovely blue skies along with the puffy clouds are giving us a joyous happy adventure in Devon. 


Devon has the most charming thatched roof cottages that dot the landscape along the way.


We're here at the car park and view these lovely fall flowers popping up under this huge tree.  Let's check in and walk up to Powderham Castle.


Powderham sits on the west bank of the River Exe.  It is the home of the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon.  


We have bought our tickets and we are ready for the tour.  Unfortunately, they inform us we are not able to photograph the interior.  If you wish to view the inside you can go to their website at https://www.powderham.co.uk/  



We have enjoyed a lovely day in Devon and hope you did as well as we continue our Golden Celebration in Britain. 
















33 comments:

  1. Sorry, Grayden, I am afraid an “EEEK” couldn’t be stifled. Oh my word! I could not possibly have driven on that road nor ridden with someone else driving on that road. It’s totally insane! Okay, charming, too.

    That castle looks far more “friendly” than most. Was it “cozy” inside?

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    1. Grayden heard that, Vee. The single track roads are very quiet and drivers are very careful. Thank goodness!
      Powderham Castle is a lovely home inside. Quite grand and opulent furnishings, but still cozy.

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  2. Oh Wow....what a cool looking place. Maybe one day I will make it over the pond! Thank you for you sweet post on my blog. It has been a struggle starting in Oct with the loss of my friend on to now and I know it will go on longer but moving home should help. I cry daily, I talk to mom all the time, I see something that reminds me of an event and I break down, just can't do any longer. The dogs, and I will have to adjust at my home. Not sure how living there with 5 pets will be but gotta give it a major try.

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    1. Pam, Great Britain is a lovely place and well worth crossing the pond.
      Take your time as you make changes. My heart and prays are with you. Grief is a very personal journey that has no right or wrong steps. xo

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  3. What a storybook place.. each and every one of them. Did you dine at that wonderful inn? I will click on the link to see the inside of that wonderful castle. It would kill me not to take my own photos. What a magic time you had. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, we did not eat at the Fingle Bridge Inn. We had already eaten at Castle Drogo. As it is the custom of many properties, no photos are allowed as families live in most of them as they do in Powderham Castle. They don't wish to have their private furnishings photographed.

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  4. I would love to visit here! :)

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  5. Another wonderful tour that you have taken us on. The roads/lanes can be a little scary at times and certainly test your driving skills at times.

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    1. Lorraine, since you have grown up with these lanes I'm sure it is old hat for you. It's very charming, but scary for us. We so love it all the same. ♥

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  6. I wasn’t afraid at all! I love the coziness of the countryside there and have so enjoyed traveling along with you two! Those thatched roofs are so charming and it’s so nice to know that they still exist! I’m going to check out that link to the Powerdam Castle. It would be so hard visiting a place like that and not taking pictures!

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    1. Liz, as much as I write about the narrow lanes, it's still wonderfully charming! The countryside of Britain still remains my favorite. There are many thatched roofed cottages in Devon. I'll be showing many more of them. It is hard not to take photos in some properties such as Powderham Castle. The website gives a slight glimpse inside. ♥

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  7. What a charming area! I think I could spend the day at the Fingle Bridge Inn.

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    1. Cathy, the Fingle Bridge area was quite charming and enchanting. ♥

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  8. Well, that's a high hedge for sure. I'm so thankful we didn't get stuck behind the hedge cutter, and it looks freshly tidied up too! They must have known we were on our way. Beautiful photographs, it's all so utterly charming, and I am wondering if those lovely pink flowers under the tree are cyclamen?

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, so glad you were with us and brought us good luck not to be behind hedge trimmers or oncoming vehicles! Such tall hedges added to the enchantment and the charm of our trip down the single track lane. I'm not sure if they were cyclamen or not as they were quite tiny, but oh so lovely. xoxo ♥

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  9. Those narrow roads would certainly make me nervous too, lol. I love seeing the castle and all the lovely scenery. So captivating there, enjoy!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. Jill, England is a fairy tale land in my mind. I'm so glad you visited with us. ♥

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  10. Oh, the narrow roads scare me, Martha Ellen, but only if they are ones on a cliff. These roads look charming with lots of greenery around. Fingle Bridge is so pretty, and the homes along the water are lovely. I love that photo of the huge tree and pink flowers. It looks like our Spring here. I just noticed that our Pink blossom trees are coming out again. Aren't those red flowers beautiful covering the entrance gate? What a wonderful time you had in England, Martha Ellen. And wanted to mention, I really like your Header with those sweet sheep.

    Have a very nice week ahead.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, the gate of Powderham Castle has what I believe was Virginia Creeper growing along the wall. It turns a lovely crimson color in Autumn. It's all over the place in Great Britain. We loved our trip so much, Sheri. It's so much fun reliving it here. We are anxiously awaiting Spring here in Virginia. Thank you for sharing our trip with us.

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  11. Oh The charm of the English countryside... I do love the roads , bridges and thatched roof tops ...although I had to laugh at the urgency ' not be afraid so that Graydon could concentrate and you could be quiet" ... I know that familiar scenario (ha ha). The photos and writing are so descriptive ...I truly feel like I'm there with you ...I have never heard of Powderham Castle...and isn't it sad that you couldn't take pictures... however, I quess I shall have to do a little research( which I love to do ) Thanks you for sharing your lovely journey ...It's very exciting to tour around with you both...ENJOY your week Dear friend...hugs

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    1. Zaa, even though I have complete faith in Grayden's driving it was really hard for me to not exclaim my feelings along some of the single track roads. They are quite charming and I'm so glad you stopped by this evening to join us. I hope your new week fills your heart with joy, my sweet friend. xo

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  12. Martha Ellen, I think I am losing it, because I thought that I had left a comment here on this post. I see I must have scooted away before chatting. Maybe that road we were on scared me away? Haha!

    There are many charming sights (in spite of the white-knuckle road) to see on this journey! I love that stone bridge!

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    1. Cheryl, I imagine you were frightened away. These lanes have heard a lot of prayers from me!
      Fingle Bridge is really charming and so English! Thank you for showing courage and coming back again. ♥

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  13. It all looks enchanting! Whenever I see your England posts it's like having a tiny vacation!

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    1. That's a lovely compliment, Dotsie. It's so nice to have you come along with us.

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  14. Loved the little vacation I was able to take right here on my favorite chair. Lovely. lovely photos! I hope to someday be able to see England for myself, but until then … thanks for sharing!

    Blessings~

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  15. All your lovely photos bring back so many great memories, and this one driving my mini along those country lanes! Thanks Martha Ellen, seeing all your photos has been a real treat.

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    1. Driving your mini would have made a lot more sense than the SUV we rented, Denise. So glad you enjoyed the scenery of your beloved homeland.

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  16. Another wonderful post to see and read. This has been a wonderful tour that you have taken us on.
    Thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  17. Catching up, Martha Ellen! Devon looks beautiful. Oh, I know what you mean about those narrow roads. We didn't rent a car but even on the tour bus to the Cotswolds I was wondering what might happen if we encountered someone! So green and lovely where you are and the castle looks impressive. I will look forward to more and try to be a more prompt visitor!

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