Devon's EV infrastructure gets a boost as three National Trust sites go live 

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 electric vehicle users 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, without a single stop at the services.

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 fast-charging bays, 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.

The key features at Castle Drogo include:

• Level access: Chargers are situated on level ground with no kerbs, located directly opposite existing accessible parking and close to the main entrance to the visitor centre.
• Enhanced navigation: The charging area features a smooth tarmac surface and hatching on both sides of every bay, providing ample room for wheelchair users, families with young children and strollers, or those using walking aids.
• User-centric design: Protection bollards have been spaced wider to ensure the charger interfaces are easy to reach, providing a safe and stress-free environment for all drivers.

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 fast 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.

Commenting on the installations, 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, the leading destination EV charge point provider for hospitality, leisure and retail destinations across the UK and Europe, also commented, saying: “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.”

The latest installations come as part of RAW Charging’s Connecting Amazing Places campaign, which sees the brand installing chargers in a range of sites including those operated by the National Trust, the RHS and Merlin Entertainments such as Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventure. It also follows the receipt of the Zapmap Best Network Award for 2026 and ICC Gold accreditation, awarded to RAW Charging in late 2025, cementing the business position as the EV charging partner of choice for the UK’s leading leisure, retail and hospitality destinations.

For more information on RAW Charging, please visit www.rawcharging.com and for more information on the National Trust’s sustainability efforts and to view all energised National Trust sites, visitwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/electric-vehicle-charging-points.