Discover Wick: historic farmhouses and landscape

Explore Wick through several specific themes: the architectural history of its farmhouses, the landscape along the River Love and nearby routes. Lower Wick Farmhouse, together with agricultural outbuildings and other listed houses, forms a group in the hamlet of Wick. At the same time, the building phases of individual properties tell of very different changes over several centuries.

Farmhouses and their architectural history

Lower Wick Farmhouse dates from the late 15th to early 16th century. Significant changes followed in the late 16th and 17th centuries; the building was extended in the 19th century. Its range of buildings encloses two sides of a paved courtyard, while the farmhouse forms the third side. To the southeast is another range of buildings: it includes a barn dating from the late 16th to early 17th century, as well as stables and a cowshed from the late 19th century. The farmyard and its various building phases vividly show how an agricultural complex developed over a long period.

Hugginswick Farmhouse also brings together several layers of history. The present farmhouse dates from the early to mid-19th century; its origins probably lie in the 16th or 17th century. It is now divided into two cottages. The adjoining barn and Cider House date from the late 16th to early 17th century and were rebuilt in the early to mid-19th century. Hugginswick Farmhouse and Cuckoo Cottage are both listed Grade II.

Cuckoo Cottage was an early 16th-century farmhouse that was later altered. A smoke-blackened roof truss suggests an early modern open-hall house from this period, heated by an open hearth. Palmerhayes Farmhouse dates from approximately the late 15th or early 16th century; it was remodelled in the 17th century and extended in the 18th century. Its thatched roof has gabled and hipped ends. Together, these examples show different architectural features: a courtyard layout, alterations to older farmhouses and distinctive roof shapes.

Local history also includes John Burrow of Wick. He was among the men from Luppitt who supported the Duke of Monmouth in his rebellion. This historical connection adds a person and an event from the past to the story told by the buildings.

The River Love and routes through the landscape

The River Love flows past the hamlet of Wick and joins the River Otter at Langford Bridge. A walking route in the Blackdown Hills also helps you find your way through the landscape: it continues from the road to Wick to a National Trust car park, then on to the summit of Dumpdon Hill. This route links Wick with a specific destination on higher ground. If you plan to walk it, check current path conditions and access arrangements before setting out, as the route and access may change.

A cycle route associated with the signpost to Wick passes through the Blackdown Hills, a landscape that also features Iron Age hill forts. Honiton railway station is a convenient option for reaching this cycle route by train. This offers a practical way to combine your rail journey and route planning; train services and route conditions may change. So check the relevant timetable and the current condition of the route before you travel.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Wick, its architectural history and landscape can help guide your travel plans. The historic farmhouses, river and routes described here offer different points of interest, with architecture and regional history alongside walks and cycle rides in the Blackdown Hills.

Discover more destinations: Shaldon, Chulmleigh, Cove, Appledore, Stokeinteignhead, Cheriton Bishop, Yelverton, Plympton.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.