Chulmleigh: Historic Town and Hotels

Chulmleigh combines a listed church and historic buildings with the Little Dart Way, a public golf course and the annual Old Fair. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these different attractions can help with your planning: would you like to explore local history, include a walk, play golf or plan a visit to a market?

St Mary Magdalene and the War Memorial

The parish church of St Mary Magdalene is a Grade I listed building. Its fabric appears to date from the late 15th century; Ashworth restored the church in 1878–1879. The distinctive tower has four storeys, stands more than 90 feet tall and was completed in 1520. The tower was restored again in the 1950s. These different dates thus trace several stages in the building’s history.

The church is also a venue for concerts by the Chulmleigh Society, including some by Young Musicians Support, as well as theatrical performances. Chulmleigh War Memorial was unveiled in 1920 and later extended with additions commemorating the Second World War. It forms part of a heritage ensemble with the church and numerous listed buildings around The Square. Together, the church and memorial offer two different glimpses into local history: the building history of an older place of worship and the commemoration of the fallen.

Historic buildings in the town

In the middle of Fore Street stands The Town Pump, a cast-iron pump from the early 19th century. It was made by J. D. Young and Sons of Barnstaple and has a glass lantern from the late 19th century. On a walk through the town centre, this street feature is easy to distinguish from the larger historic buildings on The Square.

London House and Colnet House on The Square date from around 1870 and retain some 19th-century joinery. London House has a fireplace surround and an Adam-style ceiling centrepiece in the right-hand room. The Cot is another example with a building history of its own: this small cottage with a one-and-a-half-room plan has been preserved near the centre of the market town. It retains intact 19th-century joinery and an original fireplace, which is concealed by a 20th-century fire grate.

No.1 New Street includes a former chapel building from the early 19th century, attached to a cottage. Chulmleigh Primary School is also a listed building: it dates from 1859, is Grade II listed and has a tall bell tower above its gabled entrance. Colleton Manor has medieval origins and was probably altered or rebuilt by Humphrey Bury in 1612. Together, these buildings represent different scales and periods, from a small cottage to a manor with older origins.

The Little Dart Way and the countryside

The Little Dart Way is an approximately 12.5-mile circular route that includes the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Chulmleigh. On the section from Chawleigh to Chulmleigh, the route follows the Ridge and Valley Walk and then climbs Rock Hill to the church. This stage also includes a footpath through woodland to a footbridge over the Little Dart River.

The Little Dart River flows past Chulmleigh and joins the River Taw. For planning purposes, both the approximate length of the circular route and the named points on the Chawleigh-to-Chulmleigh stage are useful. The church is not only a historic destination in the town, but also part of the route description.

Golf and the Chulmleigh Old Fair

Chulmleigh Golf Course is a short, public 18-hole course covering 13 acres. Younger players are welcome when supervised; reduced rates are available for players under 16. The Club House and Terrace serve light meals and snacks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Both areas overlook the golf course. If you would like to eat there, check the service days before your visit.

The Chulmleigh Old Fair is a historic annual one-day open-air market in the centre of Chulmleigh. If the Fair suits the purpose of your trip, check the dates for your travel period. This lets you plan your stay around a specific local event without assuming a particular event date.

Discover more destinations: Salcombe, North Bovey, East Putford, Okehampton, Totnes, Bradworthy, Burlescombe, Buckfastleigh.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.