Throwleigh: Moorland, Walking Trails and Village History

Throwleigh brings together moorland, walking opportunities and local history as distinct points of interest. Moorland covered in heather and gorse is part of the parish; at its edges, quiet country lanes offer good opportunities for walking. The landscape and historic buildings can therefore provide different starting points when choosing your destination.

Moorland, Trails and Early History

The Mariners Way passes through part of the parish of Throwleigh. This is a specific route connection; the quiet country lanes and walking opportunities relate more broadly to the edge of the moorland. When planning a trip on foot, you can consider a named route separately from the wider landscape. Above the village at Shilstone Tor are Bronze Age hut circles. They add an archaeological dimension to the natural landscape and walking, and represent a different period from the historic churches and buildings.

St Mary the Virgin: Building History and Visiting

St Mary the Virgin was built largely in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its roof timbers feature carved bosses depicting the Green Man and three hares. Bosses are sculpted decorative elements; the two motifs add a specific architectural detail to the building’s history. The construction period and the decoration thus offer two distinct historical points of interest.

St Mary the Virgin is used for services, concerts and talks, including a concert by the Whiddon Autumn Festival. Access is via several steep steps and is somewhat limited. Parking for the church is limited to the road outside, and a toilet for visitors is available. If you are planning a visit, take the stepped access and limited parking into account.

History and Architectural Styles

Throwleigh Village Hall is a Nissen hut from the Second World War. It previously served as a cinema hut for the US Army camp at Bridestowe. Its current suitability differs from this former use: the hall is suitable for themed events, wedding receptions, parties and talks, as well as overnight stays as part of group activities on Dartmoor. From the hall, the view is towards Castle Drogo and Teign Valley.

Church House in Throwleigh is an early 16th-century church house. Higher Shilstone is a notable Dartmoor longhouse. Among the dated buildings, the span runs from St Mary the Virgin, built largely in the 15th and 16th centuries, and Church House to the Nissen hut from the Second World War. This makes it possible to distinguish different architectural styles and periods without reducing them to a single village history.

Services and Events

A service is held at Providence Methodist Chapel on the third Sunday of each month. This monthly schedule is a specific time reference alongside St Mary the Virgin’s varied use for services, concerts and talks. If you include events in your travel plans, you can distinguish between a recurring day for a service and the church’s different types of events.

Discover more destinations: Two Bridges, Postbridge, Ipplepen, Martinhoe, Staverton, Honiton, Totnes, Buckfastleigh

For the wider travel overview: Devon.