Totnes is best-known as the landing site of Brutus of Troy in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s origin myth for Britain. But it also houses one of the best-preserved Norman castles in England. After William the Bastard invaded in 1066, he ordered a string of castles built in order to subjugate the native English population. Saxon Totnes was a thriving market town on the River Dart, with a mint. The castle was thought to have been built by one Juhel de Totnes, a Breton commander in the Bastard’s army, later passing to the De La Zouche family.
Today, the castle is owned by English Heritage. It is currently closed due to lockdown.
The postcode, for satnav purposes, is TQ9 5NU.