Restormel Castle
Day 4 of the roadtrip meant for our first full day in Cornwall. It was a big day ahead for this was the day we had planned for Tintagel.
Before that though, we decided to stop off at Restormel Castle which had been another survivor from our original destinations list. Living so close to Canterbury we are both familiar with Prince Edward, The Black Prince/Knight , so once we found out his connections to Restormel we decided we had to go as it was a little bit of home close by. In truth, Lauren has been fascinated by The Black Prince since childhood so we know a fair bit about him.
Alas, he isn't the subject of our post! During our visit however, we could absolutely see why during his lifetime he had ordered the repair of the castle. Sadly following his death the repairs were abandoned, but it is such a peaceful spot and if we didn't already know the location of his ghost we would have said it had returned here.
Restormel Castle is one of the four chief Norman castles of Cornwall. This was the first of the four that we had visited, the others being Tintagel, Launceston, and Trematon. The latter is a private residence so cannot be visited by the public... However, RC is also one of four principle properties used as residences to the earls of Cornwall, the others being Trematon, Launceston, and Liskeard. Hence Prince Edward having stayed here as this was one of his titles.
This castle is the most intact example of a circular keep and is a rare type of fortification that was exclusive to the 12th and early 13th century. Once a wooden Motte and Bailey castle, the property was converted into stone and the Bailey filled with stone buildings. Sitting atop the Motte, the walls were sunk deep into the original in order to provide a sort of overlap intending for a garden path on the outskirts. We can certainly verify that said path is very beautiful to walk, just dont fall off!
In 1299 the castle's ownership returned to the Crown from private owners, however it wasnt used as a residence despite the Black Prince deciding to stay here in 1354 and 1365. He used these occasions for his feudal subjects to pay him homage. It is no surprise that this residence was chosen as a survey in 1337 the castle was recorded as in disrepair. Prince Edward ordered the repairs from this point on but these ceased following his death from Dysentery in 1376.
RC also saw action during the English Civil War, but this was the only war it would serve in. It housed a Parliamentary garrison who made basic repairs at the time and was then stormed, but it is lost to history as to weather the castle was then intentionally slighted. The Parliamentary survey of 1649 states that Restormel Castle was a complete ruin, too worthless to demolish and too badly ruined to bother with a repair. Only the outer walls remained which is also what stands today.
In terms of ghostly happenings, the only ghosts we can find is that of the castle itself. Nothing but a shell of its former self, it sits lonely atop its Motte, covered in ivy and inviting weary travellers to come and spend some time within the damp stone walls.
The site is lovely for a picnic and absolutely stunning in terms of exploration. You can walk on top of the curtain walls and it is very high, Lauren and Yogi had to take it slowly as both of them ended up a little shaky! What is left of the walls are solid and almost gothic in nature. This is a ruin which had been abandoned to time but has been welcomed back to reclaim a small amount of its former glory in death. There is no doubt about it that Restormel Castle is a morbid ruin, no death or intentional destruction, just abandonment issues and damp shadows. We can relate.
We didn't pick up on any explicit hauntings other than Lauren felt that we were being watched by an unseen force during our external walk of the site. Could this have been The Black Prince summoned by our thoughts? Or was this an unknown entity who's tale is lost to history?
Would we go here again? Absolutely. The spot is calm, picturesque, and to be honest basically a great big spring garden aside from the aesthetic ruins planted in the centre. It's an experience for the soul this one, and an achievement to be proud of if you don't like heights. The views are spectacular and the overall experience was a good one so we'd recommend this one highly. The giftshop was another glorified tea-shack (literally as this one served refreshments!), but it added to the environment instead of taking from it, and the two ladies running it were absolutely adorable and so kind to Yogi who they fell in love with.
DISCLAIMER: Now for the official bit. This blog does not receive any paid promotions from the places mentioned above. We have not been approached to promote or act as spokespersons for any attraction mentioned within this post and this is simply a post intended to act as a day in the life of a couple on a cute date. All photos included are taken by ourselves and as such the rights for these images our ours, no links, brands, or companies mentioned otherwise belong or are associated with Phantom Adventures UK. We are responsible only for this blog. Opinions are our own and not influenced by any third party source..
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