Upton Pyne

Upton Pyne spans a historical arc from Bronze Age burial mounds to a medieval wayside cross and a war memorial unveiled in 1920. Pynes manor house and the Church of Our Lady add architectural history and ecclesiastical architecture to these themes. St Boniface Way stages also start from Upton Pyne.

Memorials, church and trails

The Upton Pyne War Memorial was unveiled on 24 October 1920 and commemorates 16 members of the local community who died in the First World War. Its date places the memorial at a specific moment in history; the number makes the local scope of the commemoration visible.

Pynes Cross is a medieval wayside cross north of the River Exe, beside an old footpath. It probably marked a meeting point for local paths in the late Middle Ages. The path beside Pynes Cross is still a public right of way. The distinction matters for context: the path’s public status remains in effect, while the cross’s function as a meeting point is a probable interpretation.

From the main road, you can reach the Church of Our Lady via an open, paved area called The Causeway. Figures of the four Evangelists stand beneath the corner pinnacles of the church tower. The church is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; contact the churchwarden before your visit to make sure the church is open.

Bronze Age burial mounds

The Upton Pyne barrow group includes more than 30 recorded Bronze Age burial mounds. Different features stand out among the individual mounds. The Bowl barrow 280m NNE of Starved Oak Cross is low; burial deposits are likely to survive beneath its surface. The Bowl barrow 220m WSW of Starved Oak Cross has one of the best-preserved visible profiles in the group. The Bowl barrow 400m WSW of Starved Oak Cross is one of the largest burial mounds in the Upton Pyne group. The comparisons concern different features: possible burial deposits beneath the surface, preservation of the visible profile and size.

Manor house and terraced gardens

Pynes is a red-brick country house built by Hugh Stafford around 1700. Formal terraced gardens lie to the south of the house. The manor house is notable for its material, approximate construction date and builder, while the gardens are notable for their formal design and location south of the house. The history of the house and gardens thus adds further aspects of cultural heritage to the archaeological monuments.

St Boniface Way stages

Stage 4 of the St Boniface Way runs from Upton Pyne to Mary Harris Chapel at the University of Exeter. The section passes through fields, by rivers and along a railway line. Stage 4A runs from Upton Pyne to the University of Exeter via the Cowley Bridge route. This alternative includes road sections; it also has a short section without a footpath. These features help with comparison: Stage 4 passes through fields, by rivers and along a railway line; road sections and a short stretch without a footpath are important planning details for Stage 4A.

Discover more destinations: Combe Martin, South Brent, Hennock, Clovelly, Okehampton, Shaldon, Torrington, Stoke Canon

For the wider travel guide: Devon.