South Brent: Church, Walks and Building History

Building History and Historical Traces

You can explore the history and walking routes of South Brent through specific landmarks. The church and the route to Brent Island provide points of reference for planning; the path along the River Avon offers a different focus, with its landscape and opportunities for wildlife watching.

The Parish Church of St Petrock in South Brent reflects a building history spanning several centuries. Its west tower dates from the 12th century; the church was rebuilt in the 14th century, and aisles were added in the 15th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the tower, the rebuilding and the later addition in chronological order, rather than reducing the building to a single construction date. Historically, the church belonged to Buckfast Abbey. St Petrock therefore brings together several building phases and a historical connection to the abbey.

Lydia Bridge is a packhorse bridge over the River Avon and dates from the 17th or 18th century. Its construction date is clearly distinct from the medieval building phases at St Petrock. This places a church history that developed over several centuries alongside the later dating of the bridge.

The hillfort on Brent Hill is relatively well preserved. It points to the hill’s enduring strategic importance throughout history; the hill was also a landmark and meeting place. The surviving remains of the Chapel of St Michael, by contrast, tell a story of what has been preserved: it is a medieval ruin, of which only the lower courses of the walls and the foundations remain. The historical traces therefore differ too: for the hillfort, the focus is on its state of preservation; for the chapel, on the surviving structure.

Walks and Landscape

The route to Brent Island, designated “For All”, begins on a paved lane south of St Petrock’s Church in South Brent, at grid reference SX 696 601. It is linear and follows an out-and-back format. If you plan to take the route, check the details before setting out. The combination of a linear route and an out-and-back format does not describe a circular walk: you follow one path there and return to the starting point along the same path.

The path along the River Avon near South Brent offers a gentle walk through the surrounding landscape and opportunities to observe wildlife. The two routes have different points of emphasis: the Brent Island route specifies its starting point and out-and-back format, while the Avon path focuses on landscape and nature watching. This gives you a practical way to choose between a clearly described route format and a walk with opportunities for nature watching when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Alston, Dittisham, Woodbury, Crediton, Lamerton, Ilfracombe, North Bovey, Sampford Spiney.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.