Discover Bampton: Trails, History and Special Moments in the Village

Bampton combines impressive landscapes with an unusually rich local history. The village lies on the edge of Exmoor National Park and is ideal for planning a trip that brings walks, hiking trails and historical discoveries together. Those looking for a holiday cottage can therefore view Bampton as a starting point for a range of different holiday days: one day, the route may lead out into the countryside, while on another, the village centre with its memorials and historic buildings takes centre stage.

Elevated Views and Paths through the Exe Valley

One prominent landmark is Bampton Castle. The Scheduled Monument stands on a ridge and offers views across the valleys of the Rivers Exe and Batherm as well as over Bampton. The village can also be included in a hiking itinerary: the Exe Valley Way passes through Bampton. For a circular walk, the Exe Valley Way and Coldharbour Farm Circular is an option, with views across the Exe Valley as far as the Brendon Hills. The Bampton Woods Circular opens up panoramic views over the town.

These different types of routes give your trip planning a clear range of choices without requiring every holiday day to look the same. You can combine a longer route through the surrounding area with a circular walk or focus on the village itself. Bampton Millennium Green includes a woodland area with a small quarry and lime kiln, an existing orchard and Lower Luke's field. This means that smaller landscape details are also part of the surroundings waiting to be discovered while exploring Bampton.

Local History between Church and Memorial

The centre of Bampton is designated as a Conservation Area. Among the most distinctive historic destinations is St Michael and All Angels Church, which dates partly from the early 12th century and contains an original late Saxon window arch. Two old yew trees stand in the churchyard and are believed to have been planted more than 500 years ago. The Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre is located in the same church. There, local history is presented through genuine local artefacts, colourful information panels, short films and oral recollections.

The Heritage & Visitor Centre is open on Thursdays from 11:00 to 13:00 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00. Bampton War Memorial Cross is a Grade II listed monument and commemorates 41 local soldiers who died in the First World War. Bampton Motte and Bailey also tells part of the village’s past; apart from a stone staircase, no surviving structure remains there.

Those wishing to explore Bampton with children can include the Bampton Town Trail, with its eight-page family booklet and quiz, in their daily plans. This gives the village walk an additional activity, while the historical stops provide a specific reason to look more closely.

Local Character and Suitable Trip Planning

A special date is the Bampton Charter Fair on the last Thursday in October. At this event, the riverside provides space for local produce and traditional skills. The Charter Fair adds a recurring date in the annual calendar to the village history that is visible all year round.

In Bampton, walking, views and local history can be combined. For further destinations within the same broader selection, see here: Blackawton, Witheridge, Crediton, Meavy, Buckfastleigh, Holsworthy, Kingsteignton and Broadwoodwidger.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.