Witness deer rutting season at Powderham Castle

This October visitors to Powderham Castle will have the chance to get a glimpse of one of Devon’s most spectacular natural phenomona, the rut of Powderham’s ancient fallow deer herd.

Many will remember how the stunning deer park and its ancient trees played host this summer to 50,000 revelers at the Radio 1 Big Weekend.  But outside of concerts and events, the deer park is home to a majestic herd of 600 fallow deer who roam the 200-acre deer park, which has been maintained for centuries. Indeed Coldplay’s Chris Martin famously reminded the Big Weekend crowd that it is the deer that they should be thankful to, for maintaining such a spectacular setting and allowing the festivities to occur.

October is the best time to experience Powderham Castle’s deer safari and witness the spectacular rutting season, in which majestic male bucks fight each other for dominance and roar their success across the ancient pastures.

The safari tours take place in a covered trailer, with a complete circuit of the deer park lasting approximately 45 minutes. Visitors will be able to see the deer up close in their natural habitat, with photography encouraged by a competition for the best picture of the rut.

Dick Durrant, Powderham Estate gamekeeper, said: "October is one of the best times to visit our deer herd. Usually deer are easily startled in the wild but they are completely comfortable with our tour, which means you get some breathtaking sights you can’t see anywhere else.

"The rutting season is a fascinating time to observe these animals; deer are such majestic creatures and to see and hear them clash antlers is incredible.’’

The deer rut safari takes place on October 11 and 18 at 1:30pm or 2:30pm. Tickets cost £13.50 per person and pre-booking is essential. A delicious cream tea is also included in the price of your deer rut safari ticket, so after you have seen the deer herd you can relax with a delicious refreshment in the home of the cream tea, Powderham Castle.

To find out more, visit www.powderham.co.uk | 01626 890243.