Newton Poppleford: Bridges, Church and River Otter

Newton Poppleford brings together several clear themes for planning a trip: the building history of Church of St Luke and two road bridges, archaeological traces on Venn Ottery Hill, and walking routes connected with the River Otter. You can choose where to stay based on whether historic buildings, the Bronze Age or a particular route is your main focus.

Church and Historic Bridges

The west tower of Church of St Luke dates from the 15th century and is the only surviving part of the medieval church. The rest was rebuilt in 1875. This means the building history can be traced through two distinct periods: the medieval tower and the later rebuilding of the rest of the church.

The two road bridges can also be distinguished by the waterways they cross. Newton Poppleford Bridge crosses the River Otter, while Poppleford Brook Bridge crosses Poppleford Brook. Both date from around 1840. Poppleford Brook Bridge is a small, single-span bridge with a segmental arch made of Hamstone.

Archaeological Traces and Local History

A Bronze Age round barrow cemetery lies on Venn Ottery Hill. It includes above-ground and below-ground remains of at least six Bronze Age bowl barrows. One unusual feature is its position on the slope of the hill rather than on its summit. A Roman road is also recorded as having passed through Newton Poppleford, although its route is unclear.

Newton Poppleford Silk Mill stood at the eastern end of the village, on the west bank of the River Otter. Its history includes a change in production: wool was processed there first, and later the mill switched to silk. The King Alfred daffodil is also part of local history. The Hill family bred it in Newton Poppleford; in 1899 it received a gold medal from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Walking Routes and the River Otter

The Newton Poppleford and River Otter Circular is a circular route; on the return leg, it follows the River Otter. The East Devon Way is different: a long-distance walking route from Exmouth to Lyme Regis that passes through Newton Poppleford. On the circular route, the river forms part of the described return leg, while the East Devon Way places the village on a longer route between the two named endpoints. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Moorhens, mallards, kingfishers and grey herons can be seen along the River Otter throughout the year. A sighting during your visit is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, these species provide a specific connection to nature and the riverside landscape, distinct from the building and local history.

Getting There and Practical Information

Dartline route 52 runs between Exeter and Newton Poppleford. Timetables can change, so check the operator’s latest information before travelling. The village has a village shop and a village pub. As availability may change, it is advisable to check whether each establishment is open before your visit.

A Devon County Council notice dated 2 July 2026 states that the footbridge between Ashtree Farm and Dotton Farm on uUCR 308 in Newton Poppleford is closed until 24 July 2028 or until the work is completed, whichever comes first. Check the latest Devon County Council notice before using the affected route.

Discover more destinations: Kenton, Uplyme, Molland, Bottreaux Mill, East Portlemouth, Kingsbridge, Devonport, Chagford.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.