Staverton: Nature Trails and History

Staverton combines nature trails with local and industrial history. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Staverton, you can start by considering which of these aspects you want to shape your stay. At Staverton Nature Reserve, the boardwalk and wildlife take centre stage; at Staverton Station, there are riverside walking paths. Church of St Paul de Leon, Staverton Bridge and Staverton Leat and Hydro Station each lead to different chapters of local history.

Nature and Walking Paths

Staverton Nature Reserve includes a publicly accessible boardwalk area and a fenced inner area. The scenic boardwalk provides a walking route between Staverton’s riverside path and the playing fields. The distinction is important for planning: public access applies to the boardwalk area, while the inner area is fenced. The reserve is used by badgers, deer and four species of bats.

Walking paths along the river are available at Staverton Station, which also has toilets. The station has remained largely unchanged for 100 years. The walking routes are described differently from those at the boardwalk: the boardwalk connects Staverton’s riverside path with the playing fields, while the station focuses on riverside paths. The toilets and the station’s long architectural continuity add practical and historical dimensions to a visit.

Church, Bridge and Industrial History

The present-day Church of St Paul de Leon dates back to the rebuilding ordered in 1314. It has one of the eight surviving rood screens in the county. For those interested in culture, two different aspects stand out: the year 1314 places the present-day church in its historical context, while the rood screen is a distinctive architectural feature.

Staverton Bridge was built in 1413. Its northwestern end lies in the parish of Staverton and is listed as a Grade I building. The construction date and listing refer to different features: 1413 dates the construction of the bridge, while Grade I indicates the status of its northwestern end. Together with the church rebuilding ordered in 1314, this provides another medieval point of comparison: the bridge was built later.

Industrial history is reflected in Staverton Leat and Hydro Station. It was officially commissioned in June 1930 to supply hydroelectric power to the Dartington Estate. This is not just a building, but also a record of its role in the Estate’s energy supply at the time. Mills dating from 1383 and 1586 are recorded in Staverton. These dates predate the Hydro Station’s opening and provide a separate historical point of reference for the area.

Discover more destinations: East Portlemouth, Newton Poppleford, Tiverton, Woodleigh, Lamerton, Dalwood, Ivybridge and Martinhoe.

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