Discover Woodleigh

If you choose Woodleigh as a destination, two distinct themes stand out: the history of the Church of St Mary and the woodland landscape of the Avon Valley Woods. The church is in the village centre, while the Woods comprise several separate areas around the village. There are also public footpaths and bridleways, as well as a specific circular route. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you are more interested in architectural history or in nature and outdoor activities.

Church of St Mary: Layout and History

At the centre of Woodleigh stands the Church of St Mary, an Anglican parish church listed as Grade II*. Its basic layout dates from the 14th century. A surviving Easter sepulchre in the chancel is also from this period. Another important chapter in its history followed a fire: the church was rebuilt in 1649. These dates describe different stages—the medieval layout and Easter sepulchre on the one hand, and the rebuilding after the fire on the other. If you are interested in historic churches, you will find both a specific architectural feature and a clearly identified turning point in the building’s history here.

Woodland Landscape in the Avon Valley

The Avon Valley Woods lie in several separate areas around Woodleigh, near Kingsbridge and within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Together, they cover 139.4 hectares. Their landscape includes semi-natural ancient woodland on the steep slopes of the River Avon valley, newer plantations and grassy clearings. The area therefore includes more than one type of woodland: ancient woodland, younger plantations and open grassland shape different parts of the Woods. The areas around the village and the setting in the Avon Valley provide two useful points of reference for distinguishing the nature theme from the history of the church.

Footpaths, Access and Wildlife

The Avon Valley Woods have several public footpaths, including paths along the River Avon. Riders can use one public bridleway and several permissive bridleways. This distinction is important when planning: the footpaths are public, while using the permissive bridleways requires permission.

Access information also varies by woodland area. Watkins Wood can be reached from a car park or a gate on the road north of the village. A public bridleway crosses the northern part of this woodland. Woodleigh Wood is accessible via a narrow public footpath. If you have a particular type of trail or woodland area in mind, this information can help you distinguish between the access points.

Wildlife is another part of the Avon Valley Woods’ nature theme. More than 30 bird species have been recorded there; mammals found there include otters and dormice. This gives nature enthusiasts another reason to look beyond the woodland, clearings and trails and take note of the wildlife they may spot.

A Riding Route with a Set Distance and Terrain

One specific ride is the 7.5-mile circular route from Woodleigh to Topsham Bridge. It crosses moderately challenging terrain and combines country roads, bridleways and green lanes. You may encounter local wildlife along the route. Its length and circular format give you a clear idea of the route, while the mix of trail types also describes the kinds of paths it follows. This ride can therefore be considered as a distinct riding option, while the public footpaths and bridleways in the Avon Valley Woods cover a variety of local trails.

When planning your hotel and trip, you can choose your focus based on what you would like to experience in Woodleigh: the Church of St Mary offers a tangible link to architectural history, while the Avon Valley Woods combine woodland scenery with trails and wildlife. The circular route adds a riding tour with a specified distance and terrain to the nature theme.

Discover more destinations: Drewsteignton, Frithelstock, Dunsford, Alston, Sampford Peverell, Bere Alston, Lynmouth, Bampton.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.