Holiday apartment in Merton: Heritage, Tarka Trail and nature

Merton combines impressive heritage with ball clay extraction and varied landscapes. A large part of the village lies within a Conservation Area, centred on The Square and the Grade II* listed All Saints church. Merton is located on the A386 between Bideford and Okehampton.

Culture

All Saints is a Grade II* listed parish church in Merton, with sections dating from the 15th century. It was restored by Medley Fulford in 1875. Inside are a Norman font, a carved pyramidal Jacobean font cover and medieval stained glass. The figures depicted are St Edmund the Confessor, St Margaret, St Christopher and St Anthony. All Saints is open for services.

The area around Merton also preserves notable historic features. Great Potheridge is a Grade I listed country house, rebuilt by George Monk around 1660–1670 and largely demolished in 1734. In 1608, Great Potheridge was the birthplace of General George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle. Downes House is a Grade II* listed former farmhouse dating from around 1500, extensively remodelled in the early to mid-17th century. Its surviving details include a 17th-century plaster overmantel relief with a coat of arms and Jacobean strapwork. The form of the roof structure at Ford Farmhouse suggests that the house once had an open hall with a central hearth. In the Middle Ages, Speccot was the seat of the prominent de Speccot family.

West of All Saints Church in Merton, near Grange Farm, is a moated site protected as a Scheduled Monument. As a buried archaeological monument, it is well preserved and contains archaeological information about its construction and use. It is also considered a comparatively rare example of its type in Devon.

Nature

The landscape in the immediate surroundings includes Potheridge Hill, Highridge and Castle Hill; all three are hills near Merton. On the boundary between the parishes of Merton and Petrockstowe, Merton Moor has been used for ball clay extraction for many years. The combination of open land, wetlands and industrial use creates different facets within the surroundings of the village.

Speccott Moor is a rare, species-rich wetland of Culm grassland with streams and wet woodland in a remote part of North Devon. The wider regional area around Merton also includes Saunton Sands, a beach. In addition, the Merton and Huish Wildlife Group offers talks, walks and activities relating to wildlife and environmental issues.

Paths and history

The North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway ran through the west of Merton from 1925 to 1982, serving the ball clay industry. The former railway line used by the ball clay industry is now part of the Tarka Trail network of walking and cycling routes.

Castles in the surrounding area

Torrington Castle, Durpley Castle, Croft Castle and Court Castle are located in the area around Merton. All four are castles in the vicinity of Merton and complement the historic landmarks around the church, the former manor houses and the site near Grange Farm.

Other places

Other local pages: Wimbledon, Mitcham, Merton. Other destinations: Hammersmith And Fulham, Haringey, Havering, Camden, Enfield.

For the higher-level travel overview: Greater London.