Castle Hill, at Filleigh near Barnstaple in Devon, offers private hire for parties, corporate events and weddings, with a West Wing seating 130, a Red Room for lunches of 20 and a woodland temple for ceremonies of 60. The house is an 18th-century Palladian mansion in 50 acres of gardens and woodland, on an estate of about 5,100 acres that has belonged to the Fortescue family since 1684.
Seminars and company events
The West Wing and West Lawn have been hired for parties and corporate events, and the Red Room is used for presentations or lunches of 20 seated around the dining table. A visitor note thanks the estate for an away day, which shows the use for staff days. The gardens and grounds can also be hired as an outdoor space, which suits a garden reception, a team afternoon or a drinks gathering next to the house. The estate team answers enquiries by form and offers viewings, so organisers can see the West Wing and the Red Room before they decide. Private hire is arranged around the garden opening times, and the estate office should be asked about the dates that are free and about how long the rooms can be used. A visitor note on the site praises how smoothly the day ran, which gives an idea of how the team handles larger groups.
Weddings and receptions
Holwell Temple, a restored 18th-century folly on the edge of the woods, holds 60 guests for a private ceremony, and an adjacent marquee holds up to 100 for the reception. It is lit at night and suits a woodland wedding or an informal party. The house also lists weddings in the Red Room and West Wing.
Rooms and capacities
The West Wing seats 130. The Red Room seats 20 at the dining table. Holwell Temple holds 60 for a ceremony, with a marquee for up to 100 for a reception. The 50 acres of gardens are available for outdoor events.
Catering
The estate runs a tea room for visitors. The pages read do not say how catering for private hire is arranged, so ask the estate office.
History and setting
The estate has been the home of the Fortescue family since 1684 and extends to about 5,100 acres. Gardens are open to visitors with a tea room, and private hire takes place around the opening times. The house is set in parkland in north Devon, with the 50 acres of gardens and woodland running up to the Palladian front, so groups that book the West Wing can also walk the grounds. The estate describes itself as suitable for a special event as well as for an ordinary day out, with a tea room and gardens for all seasons and for visitors of all ages.
Getting there
The estate office is at Filleigh, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 0RH.
