Discover Martinhoe: History, Landscape and Paths

Martinhoe combines Roman traces, a remarkable parish church and prehistoric landscape features with paths through an impressive setting. Those looking for a holiday destination with specific discoveries rather than interchangeable attractions will find several starting points here for planning each day. For families and other travellers, the main question is whether the desired stay should focus more on cultural history, the landscape or a mixture of both.

Roman traces and the history of St Martin

Martinhoe Castle is a Roman signal station known as The Beacon, located 850 m north-west of Martinhoe. The Martinhoe Roman Fortlet walking trail leads to the Roman fortlet of The Beacon. This means that a stay in Martinhoe can also be planned with Roman history in mind. Those interested in historic sites can set this trail aside as a separate item on their itinerary without overlooking the village’s other cultural features.

One of the defining buildings is the Church of St Martin, a listed parish church designated Grade II*. Its chancel dates from the late 13th or early 14th century. The church was restored in 1866–1867 by S. S. Teulon. A particularly specific detail is the 1864 font made of polychrome marble and decorated with foliage. The gravestones in the churchyard also bear many names used by R. D. Blackmore in his story “Lorna Doone”. These details give culturally interested travellers several perspectives on the same place: architectural history, design and literary connections.

Burial mounds, ridges and historic paths

Martinhoe Common also offers a different perspective on the area’s history. Six bowl barrows are located there on a prominent ridge overlooking Woody Bay. In addition, seven round barrows are visible, probably dating from the Bronze Age and appearing as flat, grass-covered mounds of earth and stone. The two groups should be regarded as different historical traces. Together, they show that the surroundings are shaped not only by later buildings but also by older landscape features.

On the eastern side of Martinhoe Common are hollow ways that formed part of the historic route from the Woody Bay area to Parracombe. This aspect may be particularly interesting for your planning if you would like to experience paths not merely as connections between two points but also as part of the area’s history. Martinhoe is also designated as Exmoor Heritage Coast. This designation is part of the official identity of the place and complements the historical themes with a landscape setting.

Which location suits your travel plans?

Martinhoe’s church stands on a quiet country road between Hunter’s Inn and Woody Bay. This specific reference point can help you define the desired surroundings more precisely when searching for a holiday cottage or holiday house. Consider whether you would like to focus your stay primarily on church and architectural history, traces of the Roman past or the landscape of Martinhoe Common.

Those travelling with children can explore the history in different ways: by discovering Roman traces, looking at unusual burial mounds or searching for the names on the churchyard gravestones. At the same time, there is room for a more relaxed day, with the location on the country road and the landscape around Martinhoe Common providing the starting point for your own plans. The combination of specific historical details and visible landscape features makes Martinhoe a destination that can be discovered step by step.

More places for your travel plans

If you would like to compare other destinations alongside Martinhoe, here is a compact selection: Bampton, Ware, Otterton, Newton Poppleford, Yelverton, Pennymoor, Postbridge and Parkham.

For the higher-level travel overview: Devon.