Tiverton Castle was originally an early 12th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Richard de Redvers. In the early 14th century, Hugh de Courtenay transformed the castle site when encasing a large quadrangular court, with a curtain wall. Flanked on the angles by a square and three round towers, a large square two storey gatehouse flanks the east curtain wall. Sadly nothing of the earthwork castle survives and after Civil War slighting, only three sides of the court and the two southern angle towers remain. The round tower with a later conical roof is complete but the larger square tower is ruinous, they stand against the steep banks of the River Exe, with the other three sides originally having wet defences. 15 miles south is Exeter Castle.