Discover Saint Giles in the Wood

If you’re looking for a hotel in Saint Giles in the Wood, local history, a regular coffee gathering and an interest in gardens can each offer a different focus for your stay. The village is known for its listed houses, former estates and a granite milestone; RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington offers a separate garden focus. The details below can help you weigh these themes according to your interests.

Houses from several periods

Among the historic buildings is the row called Nos 5, 6, 7 and 8 Including Front Railings. It comprises four former estate workers’ cottages, built around 1877 for the Honourable Mark George Kerr Rolle. The row is Grade II listed.

Way Barton is an early 18th-century farmhouse. It was built on the site of an old manor known as a barton. The ruins of Stevenstone House date from 1872 to 1873; the building was erected on an old historic site.

When considering these properties, it is worth distinguishing the date of construction from the history of the site: at Way Barton, the old manor belongs to an earlier period, while at Stevenstone House the site predates the dated ruins. This gives each of the different historical connections its own context.

A milestone with English inscriptions

The listed granite milestone at SS 499 179 dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. Its inscriptions read “33 miles to Exon” and “1 mile to Torrington”. The two figures represent markedly different distances: one longer and one shorter mileage. If you’re interested in historic wayfinding, the milestone offers a different perspective on local history from the houses and estates, focusing on the destinations and distances recorded on the stone.

A monthly coffee gathering

The coffee gathering at St Giles, St Giles-in-the-Wood, takes place on the third Wednesday of every month from 10:30 am to 12 noon. Coffee, cake and conversation are part of the occasion. If your stay coincides with that Wednesday, you can add the gathering as a specific event to your plans. Check the date before you travel.

Garden areas at RHS Garden Rosemoor

RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington covers 65 acres. The Queen Mother's Rose Garden features modern roses, while the Shrub Rose Garden is planted with old, traditional rose varieties. Comparing the two areas offers a clear rose focus: modern roses on one side and older, traditional varieties on the other. The Woodland Garden is rich in woodland ornamental plants, while moisture-loving plants thrive in the Stream Garden. The named areas therefore differ in their planting: roses, woodland ornamentals and species that thrive in damp conditions.

You can reach RHS Garden Rosemoor by bus, train, bicycle or on foot. Check the latest travel information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Colyton, Chittlehampton, Sutcombe, Sparkwell, Littleham, Mortehoe, Woodleigh, North Huish

For the wider travel overview: Devon.