Iconic North Devon attraction Watermouth Castle sold after 46 years

Iconic North Devon attraction Watermouth Castle, near Ilfracombe, has been sold after 46 years under the ownership of the Haines family.

Escapade Group Ltd has bought Watermouth Castle, a unique visitor attraction and holiday accommodation business with views across the North Devon coast and Bristol channel.

Watermouth Castle was acquired by the current owners in 1977 and has since been developed into one of the West Country’s premier family tourist attractions.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Grade II* Listed Castle enjoys stunning views over Watermouth Harbour and the North Devon coastline.

The near derelict castle was purchased by the late Richard Haines and his family in 1977 and over the years his vision transformed it into a place of wonder for people of all ages and it became one of North Devon’s premier tourist attractions.

For many North Devon young people, it was also their first introduction to employment and many held seasonal jobs at the castle during their teenage years.

The Castle boasts seven holiday apartments, the indoor element of the visitor attraction and the outdoor theme park includes a wide range of play areas, rides and attractions.

The overall site extends to approximately 64.11 acres (25.95 hectares).

Richard Farley, director of Escapade, said: “We are excited to have secured this prime visitor attraction which rarely come to the market. It has been successfully operated by the Haines family since 1977 and our plan is to continue to trade this leisure facility in a similar fashion whilst also investing in further attractions.”

Colin White of C J White Associates, who acted on behalf of the purchaser said: “We are delighted that we have been able to secure the acquisition of this excellent visitor attraction for Escapade, arguably the leading operator of these types of facility in the UK. We are sure they will further develop and improve this already excellent concept.”

Ian Simpson, head of the Leisure and Trade Related team at Savills, who acted for the vendor commented: “Watermouth Castle is a special property, combining an attractive coastal position with a prestigious historic building, extensive visitor facilities and adjoining woodland offering further potential for the new owners, who I am sure will continue to build on the success of this venue.”

The castle was originally built in 1825 by Arthur Davie Basset for his bride Harriet and the family apartments, kitchen and dairy show that around 40 domestics were employed in the running of the estate.

Richard Haines was an imaginative inventor who delighted in creating new things for the delight of other and the quirky attraction grew from his great passion.

He sadly passed away in 2015, aged 75, but even in later years could always be found tinkering away on his latest project in his beloved workshop.

Stuart Tansley, a partner at Brewer Harding & Rowe Solicitors LLP acted for the vendor and Edward Hunter, a partner at Burness Paull solicitors acted for the purchaser.

The new owner will gain landscaped gardens with rides, activities, play areas and attractions, with the gardens currently divided into Gnome Land, Merry-Go-Land and Adventure Land.

Inside there is a wide variety of Victorian and Edwardian exhibits and artefacts, an ‘N gauge model railway’ and a working Decap Organ.

The basement, known as the Dungeon Labyrinths also has various fairy-tale animations, exhibits and attractions for visitors to explore.

The courtyard has an underground theatre which features the castle’s iconic water, music and light show attraction, plus the main café with indoor seating, gift shop, WCs and an animated show.

With an intriguing link to the modern attraction, Walter Basset (grandson of Arthur) was an engineer and built the first European fairground wheel designed by the American engineer Ferris.

He then went on to construct the Giant Ferris Wheel in the late 1890s which is still standing today in Prater Park, Vienna.

In 1916 the castle was used as a convalescent home for army officers wounded in the First World War, and during the Second World War it was the headquarters for PLUTO, the Pipe-Line-Under-The- Ocean.