Discover Little Torrington

Little Torrington combines historic buildings, hands-on craft experiences and a landscape that can be explored on foot. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage for their stay will find a place offering several different travel ideas: church and architectural history, pottery at Tarka Pottery, and footpaths into the surrounding countryside are among the defining themes.

Churches and historic buildings

An impressive starting point for those interested in culture is St Giles, a 15th-century parish church. Inside, a granite column arcade from Lundy Island separates the nave from the south aisle. The wooden main door also deserves attention: it dates from the 15th century and retains the original iron sanctuary ring. Details like these make a visit particularly interesting if you want not just to look at a building, but to appreciate traces of medieval craftsmanship.

The historic architecture also includes the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene in Taddiport. The chapel was originally attached to a leper hospital and is now a Grade II* listed building. Together with Taddiport Bridge, it provides another focal point for planning your trip. The road bridge crosses the River Torridge with three arches and was partly rebuilt in the 19th century. Leland had already recorded a three-arched bridge at this location. The two details reflect different historical perspectives on the same structure and can be read alongside each other when exploring the local history.

Further traces of past residential and agricultural forms can be found at several historic houses. A staircase from Stow House was transferred to Cross House after the mansion in Cornwall was demolished in 1720. South Hole Farmhouse is an unusually complete 17th-century farmhouse and has an integrated attached barn range. Woodland Farmhouse dates approximately from the second half of the 15th century and was altered in the 17th century. Among other features preserved there are a moulded wooden door frame from the early 17th century and a nail-studded oak door with fleur-de-lis decoration on the hinges.

Bagbeare Farmhouse also dates from the early to mid-17th century and may have older origins. The range of outbuildings running parallel to the farmhouse probably also dates from the 17th century. Hayes is a Grade II listed house with a thatched roof and gabled frontage; it formerly consisted of two cottages. At Smytham, recognisable remains of a 17th-century house have survived, including a fireplace.

Crafts and hands-on experiences

At Tarka Pottery, you can get actively involved yourself: customers can throw pots on the wheel or learn hand-building techniques. The ceramics experience studio welcomes people of all ages and with different abilities. Tarka Pottery glazes and fires the finished pieces, allowing them to be taken home as handmade souvenirs. For a family stay, this is a special opportunity not merely to look at an object, but to make one yourself.

Paths, woodland and riverside landscape

The Tarka Trail runs along the western boundary of the parish of Little Torrington. In addition, footpaths lead from Little Torrington into the surrounding countryside. The parish lies within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and contains 15 sites of ancient woodland. These include Huntshaw Wood, an area of special scientific interest, or SSSI for short. Those who value nature experiences and varied days when choosing accommodation can take these landscape and cultural themes into account together when planning their trip, without limiting themselves to just one type of excursion.

The River Torridge is also part of the parish’s natural character. Otters and freshwater pearl mussels have been recorded along its course within the parish of Little Torrington. This reference to the wildlife and aquatic environment complements the historic attractions with a natural history perspective. Depending on your interests, you can plan a day focused on architectural history and regional crafts, or put the emphasis on paths, woodland and the riverside landscape.

More local pages for your planning

If you would like to compare additional destinations alongside Little Torrington, you can find further local pages here: Ashreigney, Drewsteignton, Morebath, Southleigh, Modbury, Ilsington, Virginstowe and Bradworthy. Which holiday apartment or holiday cottage is right for you depends above all on whether you want to focus on historic discoveries, hands-on crafts, or paths through the countryside and woodland.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.