Visitors to some of Devon’s most popular National Trust destinations can now enjoy a more seamless and sustainable experience, following the installation of new, high-specification electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs across multiple sites.
Through a partnership between the National Trust and RAW Charging, new EV infrastructure has been introduced at a trio of sites – Castle Drogo, Parke and Lydford Gorge – with the move set to support the growing number of EV drivers and helping to ensure historic sites remain accessible for all.
The new hubs arrive in time for the school holidays and the National Trust's Summer of Play, the charity's flagship programme of family activities running until 6th September. This year's programme, delivered in partnership with the Pokémon Company International, includes trails and themed activities at places across the country - meaning EV-driving families visiting Devon this summer can enjoy a full day out and return to a charged car thanks to the destination charging provision.
The first of the sites to go live, Castle Drogo, which overlooks Dartmoor and the Teign Gorge, sees its visitors benefit from a bespoke charging hub designed to provide an effortless, eco-friendly experience. The site features eight Rapid chargers, carefully designed with enhanced accessibility. In line with the National Trust’s “Everyone Welcome” objective, the layout goes beyond standard charging provision to ensure ease of use for all visitors.
All of RAW's chargers can be found and navigated to by using the Zapmap app, and payment is easy; click pay in the app or tap your Zapmap charging card.
Complementing the Castle Drogo installation, additional charging facilities have also been installed at Devon’s Parke and Lydford Gorge sites, offering a mix of Rapid and Standard Plus charging options to suit varying visitor dwell times. Both sites now feature two 50kW DC Rapid charging bays, which are ideal for shorter stays of one to two hours, as well as two 22kW AC chargers, which are suited to longer visits of three hours or more.
These installations are a crucial part of efforts to enhance the visitor experience while reducing the carbon footprint of travel to National Trust locations. By providing state-of-the-art, accessible infrastructure across multiple sites, the National Trust and RAW Charging are ensuring that sustainable travel is both practical and convenient for a wide range of visitors.
Looking ahead, this visitor-focused rollout will continue, with more than 90 additional fast charging bays scheduled for installation in the coming weeks. New sites beyond Devon including Lacock Abbey, Felbrigg Hall, Croome Court and Hidcote, will soon offer similar user-friendly designs, reflecting the unique requirements of each historic location.
Heather Kay, General Manager overseeing all three Devon sites, said:
“We want every visitor to feel welcome and for their journey here to be as enjoyable as the castle itself. These new charging bays are a fantastic addition, allowing our visitors to relax and explore the Teign Gorge and our gardens, knowing that sustainable travel is made easy and accessible for everyone. And with the installations in Parke and Lydford Gorge now added as part of the rollout, there’s no better time for eco-conscious EV drivers to pay us a visit.”
Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, said:
“We’re proud to support the National Trust in delivering high-quality charging infrastructure across multiple Devon sites. From the fully accessible hub at Castle Drogo to flexible charging options at Parke and Lydford Gorge, these installations demonstrate how EV charging can be thoughtfully integrated into unique environments, ensuring a seamless experience for every visitor.”
