Chittlehamholt: Village History and Walks

Chittlehamholt appeals to travellers who want to combine rural walks or cycling with an interest in architectural history. Its historic buildings tell of different uses and periods. Outdoors, scenic walks through peaceful countryside and quiet country lanes offer ways to experience the area. When planning your stay, you can weigh up whether architecture and local history or outdoor activities should feature more prominently.

Architectural history and distinctive buildings

The Exeter Inn is a Grade II listed building. Originally a farmhouse, it is now an inn; it is dated to the late 16th or early 17th century. This building brings together a former agricultural use and its current function as an inn. Its date places it in a considerably earlier building period than St John the Baptist Church, which was built in 1838.

St John the Baptist stands beside the manor, about a quarter of a mile from the village. The church was designed by R D Gould of Barnstaple and is considered a typical Victorian church building. It has seven large lancet windows and a two-manual organ. Lancet windows are tall, slender windows with pointed tops; two manuals refers to two keyboards played by hand on the organ. This makes it possible to consider the church’s date, window design and organ as distinct features.

At Chittlehamholt Manor, richly carved bargeboards and chamfered ashlar bay windows shape the architecture. Bargeboards run along the sloping roof edges of a gable; bay windows are projecting sections, and “chamfered” describes their angled shape. Ashlar refers to dressed natural stone. These details draw attention to the roof edge, façade shape and material—features distinct from the church’s date, windows and organ.

Gospel Hall chapel was originally used by the Plymouth Brethren. This adds a distinct history of religious use. It differs from the Exeter Inn’s former agricultural use and its current function as an inn. Together, these buildings reflect different connections to the village’s history, without all being associated with the same period or use.

Walks and cycling

Chittlehamholt offers scenic walks through peaceful countryside, while cycling is possible on quiet country lanes. The activities have different emphases: a walk puts the landscape first, while cycling takes place on the country lanes. You can then decide whether you would rather explore the area on foot or by bike.

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Chittlehamholt, this distinction can help with your planning. Consider whether you are mainly interested in historic buildings and their architectural history, or whether you would give greater weight to walks and cycling.

Discover more destinations: Ashwater, Clyst Saint Mary, Cullompton, Okehampton, Meavy, South Molton, Kingsbridge, Hollacombe.

For the wider travel overview: Devon.