Castle Drogo celebrates 50 years since first being opened to the public 

Castle Drogo, in Devon, is celebrating 50 years since first being opened to public under the care of the National Trust. The castle opened to the public for the first time on Friday 28 March 1975.

The first visitor through the door on that freezing March day was Bernhard Hadwin, who proudly remembered getting ticket number 00001. “that first ticket was precious,” he remembered. “A part of history, and I would always keep it.”  

It was a baptism of fire for the team opening the castle that day as over 1000 visitors braved the cold to be the first to see inside this remarkable building. Since the first visitor 50 years ago the castle and garden are now approaching the 5 millionth visitor and many countless more have walked and enjoyed the surrounding estate.  

To mark the occasion, a host of 1970s themed events and exhibitions will be taking place throughout 2025, starting on 28 March.  

Staff and volunteers will be dressed up in 1970s outfits and are encouraging visitors to do the same. A special cake has also been baked which recreates the cake that was cut at the original opening celebration. 

Back in 1975, a spring flower festival was also held to mark the grand opening. Now, in 2025, visitors can enjoy flower-inspired activities all over the gardens at Castle Drogo as part of the Easter trail running from 4-22 April.  

Senior Programming and Partnerships Officer Rebecca Glover says "We’ve got lots of activities planned to celebrate this special anniversary year. We’re particularly looking forward to 1970s fun, games and discos over the summer and a 1970s Christmas later in the year. Hopefully everyone who visits this year will enjoy celebrating this very special place." 

Thanks to the visitors, staff, volunteers, donors and supporters of Castle Drogo over the last 50 years, it remains a much-loved place today and will continue to be so for the next 50 years and beyond. 

Details of events will be on the website throughout the year. Castle Drogo is open daily until 3 November. 

Further information about Castle Drogo can be found on the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castledrogo