House & Family History: In 1547 Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, purchased Berry Pomeroy Castle, the ancient seat of the Pomeroy family, from Sir Thomas Pomeroy. After the duke's beheading all his estates were forfeited to the crown; it was not until 1558 that the duke's son, Sir Edward Seymour, regained title to the castle. Between 1560 and 1580 Sir Edward demolished the earlier Pomeroy buildings and erected a new four-story Tudor style house within the walls of the ancient castle. By the early 18th century the castle was deserted and ruinous; it became a popular place to visit in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as the personification of a romantic and picturesque ruin. Berry Pomeroy is supposedly one of the most haunted castles in Britain; two female ghosts are said to haunt the castle: the White Lady and the Blue Lady. The White Lady, said to be the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, supposedly haunts the dungeons, where she had been imprisoned by her sister, Eleanor, who was purportedly jealous of her beauty. The Blue Lady beckons for help from passers-by, luring them to her tower, where they fall to their death. She is believed to be the daughter of an 11th century Pomeroy lord who raped her; as a result, she wanders the dungeons mourning the loss of her baby, which she murdered in shame and disgust.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Henry Pomeroy, 13th century; Sir Thomas Pomeroy, 16th century; de la Pomeroy family here from the 11th century until 1547. Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, 16th century. Sir Edward Seymour, 16th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: Owned by the Duke of Somerset; maintained by English Heritage.

House Open to Public: Yes

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No