Last Alteration: Friday 20 May 2016
Norris Castle
Norris Castle
New Barn Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6AZ
Norris Castle was built in the Norman style by James Wyatt in 1790. It was built to look like a castle, but this was only for show as there are no actual fortifications. Queen Victoria stayed at the castle when she was young, and this led her to purchase nearby Osbourne House.
During the 1960s and 70s it was open to the public, but in later years its owners, the Coventrys, maintained it as a private residence. However, in August 2015 the estate was sold owing to the costs of renovation work, and its contents auctioned (the interiors were not used in filming, however, only the exterior). The property was bought with plans to transform it into a luxury hotel.
Photos reproduced on the site are by permission.
How to get here:
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Road: From the Fishbourne car ferry, head along Fishbourne Road, then turn right onto the A3054 towards Wootton. Carry on to Whippingham, then turn right towards East Cowes on the A3021. Once you reach East Cowes, on York Avenue, turn right into New Barn Road, and the castle is at the end of the road. Note: the castle is private so you can only get to the gates! Parking: roadside. (5.85 miles, 24mm) +
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Road: From the East Cowes ferry port, head along the A3021. When you are on York Avenue, turn left onto New Barn Road, and the castle is at the end of the road. Note: the castle is private so you can only get to the gates! Parking: roadside. (0.9 miles, 4m) +
Access: privateStatus: recognisableNorth-East Corner
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
The Doctor looks at the Master's prison through a telescope.
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo hides from the search parties.
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
A patrol heads alongside the prison in search of Jo.
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo sneaks past the patrol and heads back to the prison.
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo tries a door, but it is locked.
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
A guard reports as he spots the Doctor and Jo escaping.
Access: privateStatus: recognisableNorth Face
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo heads around the prison.
The Sea Devils (3)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo spies the Doctor in the Master's cell.
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo finds a window and squeezes into the prison.
Access: privateStatus: recognisableCourtyard
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo squeezes through a window into the prison.
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo makes her way through the prison courtyard.
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo makes her way through the prison courtyard.
Access: privateStatus: recognisableEntrance
The Sea Devils (1)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
The Doctor and Jo leave the prison, having visited the Master.
The Sea Devils (2)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo returns to the prison.
The Sea Devils (4)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
The Doctor, Jo and Hart arrive back at the prison.
The Sea Devils (2)
Filmed: 29 Oct 1971
Jo is stopped by guards as she leaves the prison.
Access: publicStatus: n/aSolent View
Photograph taken: 27th July 2002 by Chuck Foster
"This photo was actually taken from the ferry coming into East Cowes, which is about the only place you can see the castle from, as onland it is concealed behind trees on private ground!"
Routes to more distant locations:
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No Man's Land Sea Fort (The Sea Devils). Road (10.2 miles, 28m) : Head down New Barn Road until you reach it's end, and then turn left onto the A3021. Follow the A3021 to Whippingham, then turn left onto the A3054 towards Wootton and continue on to Ryde. From there take the B3330 towards Nettlestone, and then turn left onto the B3340 into the town (Seaview). The coast here along the Esplanade is the nearest point to seeing No Man's Land Sea Fort. Parking: sea front (charge may apply).
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Red Cliff (The Sea Devils). Road (12.5 miles, 40m) : Head down New Barn Road until you reach it's end, and then turn left onto the A3021. Follow the A3021 to Whippingham, then turn right onto the A3054 to Newport. Continue to follow signs to Sandown, which will be the A3056. When you reach Sandown, turn left onto Sandown Road (A3055) and continue along here as it becomes the Broadway. At the end turn right into Avenue Road (B3329), and then when you reach the coast turn left into Culver Parade and the cliffs are further along as you reach Yaverland. Parking: car park (charge may apply).
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Bembridge Sailing Club (The Sea Devils). Road (14.2 miles, 42m) : Head down New Barn Road until you reach it's end, and then turn left onto
the A3021. Follow the A3021 to Whippingham, then turn left onto the
A3054 towards Wootton and continue on to Ryde. From there take the
A3055 towards Brading. Turn left towards St Helens (B3330), and once there,
turn right towards Bembridge on the B3395. The sailing club
is on Embankment Road at the end of the marina. Parking: car park by cafe. 
There is a car park near the cafe.
Additional locations as the crow flies:
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Priory Bay (The Sea Devils): 8.27 miles. 
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Bembridge Harbour (The Sea Devils): 9.04 miles. 
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IBM North Harbour Building (Revelation of the Daleks): 9.78 miles. 
In the News:
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9 Aug 2015: Daily Mail - Castle once deemed too expensive for Queen Victoria goes on the market for £1m - the same price as a two-bed London council flat
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6 Feb 2015: Isle of Wight County Press - "Mystery buyer snaps up Isle of Wight castle for over £4.5m to create luxury hotel
Notable photos/media relating to the location:
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15 Feb 2016: Mark Watterson on Facebook - "Filming Dr Who The Sea Devils Norris Castle Visitors Book"
Related Stories
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The Sea Devils [29 Oct 1971]
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All screen captures are the copyright of the BBC and appear here as reference to illustrate the location in comparison with how it looked at the time of filming and the present day; no attempt is made to supercede this or any other copyright.
