Discover Black Torrington

Black Torrington combines a rural character with a remarkable density of historical traces. The rural community is considered to be beautifully situated and surrounded by farmland and woodland. Anyone wishing to combine a trip with culture, small discoveries and outdoor activity will find a range of starting points here for planning their days – from the medieval church to walking and riding trails in the parish.

St Mary's: medieval architectural history and a lively community

At the heart of the village's history is St Mary's, a small, well-preserved Anglican parish church dating from the 15th century. Its origins reach back to the Middle Ages. At the same time, the church shows indications of Norman origins, while it is essentially a Perpendicular Gothic building. Much of the rest of the building dates from around 1500; the chancel dates back to the 14th century. The transept may represent the remains of a 14th-century building.

Anyone interested in historical details can discover several distinctive architectural features at St Mary's. The south aisle has a fine wagon roof with carved ribs, bosses and wall-plate corbels. An unusual 18th-century screen separates the aisle from the chapel. There is also an octagonal granite font from the 15th century, with trefoil-headed panels on the stem. The six bells, with their ground-level bell frame, also contribute to the church's distinctive character.

St Mary's is also a centre of community life. The St Mary's Ruby Hand Bell Ringers meet there weekly to play with their restored set of handbells. Anyone wishing to learn bell ringing can simply come along on practice evening. Regular services are also held; details can be found on the noticeboard at the entrance from the road. St Mary's also offers an informal café-style service with coffee and refreshments.

Memorials, trails and landscape

The war memorial is a well-executed granite cross on a green. Shallow steps with rounded kerbstones lead up to it. It commemorates eight local soldiers who died in the First World War, as well as six men who fell in the Second World War. It thus complements the church-history impressions with a quiet place of remembrance.

A section of The Ruby Way runs through Black Torrington. The parish also has public footpaths and bridleways. Another historical trace lies 80 metres north-west of Windmilland Cross: the barrow there stands prominently on a ridge and is comparatively well preserved. It may have been reused as the site of a later windmill, which gave the nearby crossroads its name.

Historic houses as additional discoveries

Further historical points of interest include East Graddon Farmhouse, Hole Farmhouse, Higher Braundsworthy Farmhouse and Beara Court. East Graddon Farmhouse dates from around 1500 and is regarded as a well-preserved late-medieval farmhouse with an unusual plan. It probably has an addition from the mid to late 16th century, as well as alterations from the early 17th century. Hole Farmhouse dates from the 16th century, was altered in the mid-17th century and later extended in the 17th or 18th century.

Higher Braundsworthy Farmhouse also preserves architectural features from several periods. Probable additions from the early 17th century and extensions from the 19th century form part of its architectural history; inside, the house was changed very little by modernisation in the 20th century. Beara Court is a country house built between 1873 and 1890 by Lucius H Reichel on the site of an earlier house, and is regarded as a rare surviving example of a Devon landowner's mansion with outbuildings and gardens.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Black Torrington, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel rhythm. Culture enthusiasts can make St Mary's, the war memorial and the historic houses the focus of their visit. Those who prefer being outdoors can take into account the section of The Ruby Way as well as the public footpaths and bridleways. For cyclists, more than 30 miles of the Tarka Trail are available in the wider regional area between Braunton and Meeth. This section can be reached via the B3233 and the A386 between Bideford and Hatherleigh. Black Torrington Bridge is also located in the vicinity of Black Torrington, a road bridge over the River Torridge with probable origins in the 17th century that was extensively rebuilt in the mid-19th century and in the 20th century.

Black Torrington therefore offers a travel idea in which historic architecture, community life and rural trails stand side by side. Choose your accommodation according to which of these facets should form the focus of your stay, and discover the village at your own pace.

Further places for travel planning: East Portlemouth, East Putford, Axminster, Copplestone, Stokeinteignhead, Little Torrington, Brixton and Parkham.

To the main travel overview: Devon.