Compton Castle

The estate was home to the families of Compton, de la Pole, Doddiscombe,[3] Gilbert and Templer.

[8] The original undefended manor house was built in the mid-14th century and consisted of a hall flanked by solar and service rooms at each end.

In the hall there is a model of Squirrel, the ship in which Sir Humphrey Gilbert sailed to Newfoundland (The crest of the Gilbert family is A squirrel sejant on a hill vert feeding on a crop of nuts proper[11]).

Another restored room is the kitchen, which is housed in a separate building because of the risk of fire it posed.

[13] Its Great Kitchen is notable for the insight it gives into medieval domestic life, and its small formal gardens are enclosed by a stone curtain wall.