A Room with a View - Watermouth Castle overlooking the Cove near Ilfracombe

Westward TV's reporter on architecture David Young visits Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe, Devon. The country house has picturesque views over Watermouth Cove and was built to resemble a castle, designed by George Wightwick for the Bassett family. The Bassett family resided at Watermouth Castle until 1945 even though the house had been purchased in 1932 by Keith Wickenden a Conservative MP, Chairman of European Ferries and Director of West Bromwich Albion FC.

His brother Alan Wickenden took over the house after Keith's death in 1983 but after retiring to Guernsey he was jailed in 2004 for the manslaughter of his wife of 46 years. The house was bought by Richard L. Haines in 1977. The Castle holds a large collection of Victorian antiques focused on domestic tools and amusement machines.