From a castle in Devon to the colony of Newfoundland

COMPTON CASTLE IN DEVON is deep in the countryside near to Torquay. It is a fortified manor house that dates back to 1520, and before the fortifications were added in that year, it was already a manor house by the mid fourteenth century.

For many centuries, Compton Castle was home to the Gilbert family. In 1785, the estate was sold. However, in 1931, and American descendant of the family purchased the estate and restored the castle. In 1951, the estate became part of the National Trust on condition that the family could continue to live in a part of it. Today, one wing of the castle is the private home of some members of the Gilbert family.

The most famous member of the family is Sir Humphrey Gilbert (c1539-1583). He is best known for establishing a British colony in Newfoundland – the first British colony in America. And it was the first ever British colony in the world. It can be said that by founding this colony, he was the founder of the British Empire.

Sir Humphrey died at sea while travelling on an English ship, the Squirrel. In many places within Compton Castle there are images and sculptures of squirrels in memory of this ship.

Compton Castle is well worth visiting. Not only is the castle magnificent, but also the rose garden next to it.