A local Pride festival in Devon, England, has made headlines for wrapping a historic castle in a giant rainbow flag.
Image: Totnes Castle in Totnes, England, wrapped in a rainbow flag for Totnes Pride (Photo: Totnes Pride)
By David Hudson
Totnes Pride is a small event that held several events over the past four days. This included wrapping Totnes Castle in a 150ft flag lent to organizers by nearby Torbay Pride.
Ceri Goddard, from Totnes Pride, said they wanted to do something a “bit different”. Organizers decided on the bold public art event instead of a march through the town.
According to the BBC, around 400 people gathered in the park beneath the castle to watch 30 flag bearers unfurl the flag on Saturday morning.
“There were some logistical challenges but we had a rehearsal and we had the backing of English Heritage who have been amazing, helping us plan,” said Goddard.
Totnes Castle
Totnes Castle dates back to the period following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is considered one of the best examples of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in Europe. A motte refers to the raised ground on which the structure sits, and a bailey is a walled courtyard.
Images of the castle with the rainbow flag quickly went viral on social media. Predictably, some keyboard warriors fumed that it should instead be wrapped in a Union Jack.
“Give us a break already. No one is saying people shouldn’t be free to live as they choose, but not every historic landmark needs to be turned into a statement for the cause of the moment,” said one Facebook commentator.
Another complained, “Flags are removed from lamp posts as they ‘can cause damage’ but this monstrosity can be attached to an ancient castle.”
However, many others clapped back at the gripes.
“Gay people existed in Norman times, too,” said one well-liked comment. “They’d probably be weeping with joy to know there was a time in the future where they could have loved freely. Until everyone gets that, we still need Pride events.”
Others agreed, saying, “Reading some of these comments is truly depressing and actually proves the point that there’s still a very long way to go before the hatred of people for their sexuality is no longer a thing. Well done.”
One woman said, “As a medieval reenactor I heartily support this, and I can say I speak for every member of my group too 😁 medieval combat, not medieval values 😁”
First Totnes Pride for three years
Totnes Pride ran September 24-27 and hosted events at 15 local venues. It included an art exhibition, a community swim in a local river, speed dating, and a ‘queer growers’ event for those who love plants or work on the land. This was the first Totnes Pride for three years after the previous organizers moved away. The theme for 2026 was ‘Queer Joy’.
English Heritage, which oversees the care of Totnes Castle, granted permission for the flag event to go ahead. From photos, it appears volunteers held the flag up around the walls, rather than attaching it to the structure.
Check out some more images below.
