Exbourne: Riverside Paths, Village History and Rural Discoveries

Exbourne, together with Jacobstowe, lies in a largely untouched, agricultural landscape north of Okehampton and close to Dartmoor. The village combines walking, nature observation and local history. This allows you to shape your stay according to your preferred pace: a riverside path, historic buildings and local community venues offer different points of focus.

Riverside walks and observations in the landscape

There are six footpaths in the parish of Exbourne that can be used for walks through the countryside. Exbourne Footpath 1 runs for much of its length alongside a tree-lined river; several gates provide access to the riverbank. Along this route, there are opportunities to observe kingfishers, herons and water voles. Anyone wishing to combine a walk with nature observation will find a specific reason here not to focus their stay solely on the village's history.

The riverside path brings its own quality to planning your day. You can consciously choose the landscape as your main theme or combine a walk with cultural discoveries. The six footpaths in the parish offer different approaches, without limiting your stay to a single attraction.

Church and historical traces

St. Mary's Parish Church in Exbourne contains structural elements from the early 14th century, alterations from the 15th century and an addition from the early 16th century. The tower, porch and south aisle are built of worked granite beneath a slate roof with the ridge running parallel to the nave. For travellers interested in culture, the appeal lies in the visible changes made over several centuries.

The church also contains a square-framed rood screen. Its original construction is dated to around 1420; it was removed in 1835 and replaced after restoration in 1889. Significant parts of the original Perpendicular Gothic tracery and part of the frieze were preserved. St. Mary the Blessed Virgin Parish Church in Exbourne welcomes visitors.

The village's history also reaches far back. The village appears to have existed since at least Saxon times. The Domesday Book lists Exbourne as one of several estates held by Roger de Molis under Baldwin the Sherriff, Baron of Okehampton and the king's immediate feudal tenant. Within the present parish boundary, there are also seven sites indicating prehistoric settlement.

Historic houses in the village

Further historical traces include Town Farm and Town Farm Cottage in Exbourne, which were originally a single 17th-century house. Fir House is a listed former farmhouse dating from around 1500. The building has alterations from the 17th century and an addition from the 19th century. Surviving 17th-century interior features include a post-and-plank partition and a moulded framed-beam ceiling.

These examples make clear that Exbourne has not only a long village history, but that different building phases are also visible in individual buildings. Anyone interested in rural architecture and the development of historic houses can therefore explore the village with an appropriately attentive eye.

Community and different reasons to travel

Since January 2023, Messy Church, a monthly family event, has been held at St. Mary the Blessed Virgin in Exbourne in cooperation with Exbourne Primary School on the third Thursday of each month from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The Exbourne Local History Group meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm in Exbourne Village Hall. Both events show different sides of local life: one is organised as a family event, while the other is dedicated to local history.

Exbourne and Jacobstowe share The Burrow, an underground community shop, café and post office. Alongside the landscape and historic buildings, community-oriented everyday venues therefore also form part of the character of the two villages.

Choosing accommodation for your stay

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Exbourne, you can first consider which focus should define your stay. If walks, riverside scenery and nature observation are central, your daily planning should leave enough time for Exbourne Footpath 1 and the other footpaths. If you are mainly seeking historical impressions, the church, prehistoric sites and surviving historic houses offer a different focus.

The community events mentioned may also play a role in planning your trip, provided their timing fits your stay. Exbourne is therefore a destination for travellers who do not wish to view the rural landscape separately from history and local life.

Further places to consider

If you would like to expand your selection of places, you can also look at Chulmleigh, Payhembury, Sampford Peverell, Torrington, Hemyock, Upton Pyne, Dalwood and Modbury.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.