Discover Upton Pyne

Upton Pyne combines impressive evidence of the area’s history with routes through a varied landscape. Anyone looking for a holiday rental in Upton Pyne can plan their stay around church art, medieval route history, Bronze Age barrows and various sections of the St Boniface Way. The focus is not only on individual sights: the different themes allow you to combine cultural discoveries and walks according to the interests of your travel group.

Church, memorial and historical details

The Church of Our Lady is one of Upton Pyne’s notable historical landmarks. From the main road, you can reach the church via an open, paved area called The Causeway. Beneath the corner pinnacles of the church tower are figures of the four Evangelists – a detail that makes the architecture particularly worth viewing. The Church of Our Lady is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Nevertheless, you should contact the Churchwarden before visiting to ensure that the church is open.

The Upton Pyne War Memorial also recounts a specific part of the area’s history. It was unveiled on 24 October 1920 and commemorates 16 members of the local community who lost their lives in the First World War. For visitors interested in history and remembrance culture, the memorial provides a clear connection to the more recent past of the area.

Pynes Cross and routes through the landscape

North of the River Exe lies Pynes Cross, a medieval wayside cross on an old footpath. It probably marked a meeting point for local routes in the late Middle Ages. The path beside Pynes Cross remains a public footpath.

Another focus for active days is the St Boniface Way. Stage 4 leads from Upton Pyne to Mary Harris Chapel at the University of Exeter. The route passes through fields, along rivers and beside a railway line. In addition, Stage 4A leads from Upton Pyne via the Cowley Bridge route to the University of Exeter. If you prefer to plan your day around a longer route rather than individual buildings, these two described stages offer a different way to experience the surroundings of Upton Pyne.

Bronze Age barrows and Pynes Manor

The Upton Pyne barrow group comprises more than 30 recorded Bronze Age barrows. Several individual finds make the group particularly vivid: The Bowl barrow 280m NNE of Starved Oak Cross is a low barrow, beneath whose surface burial deposits have probably been preserved. The Bowl barrow 220m WSW of Starved Oak Cross has one of the best-preserved visible profiles among the barrows in the Upton Pyne group. The Bowl barrow 400m WSW of Starved Oak Cross is among the largest barrows in this group.

Pynes, a grand red-brick manor house built around 1700 by Hugh Stafford, is also part of the area’s historical character. Formal terrace gardens lie to the south of the house, complementing the historic character of the estate.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When searching for a holiday rental in Upton Pyne, it is worth first deciding on your preferred focus. For days centred on culture, the Church of Our Lady, the War Memorial, Pynes Cross and the history of Pynes take centre stage. Anyone who would like to spend more time on routes can consider the St Boniface Way and the landscape along Stage 4. The Bronze Age barrows add a much older past to the picture. This allows you to choose accommodation as a base for an itinerary focused more on historical details, walking experiences or a combination of both interests.

For further travel planning, you can also visit these places: Winkleigh, Blackawton, Braunton, Manaton, Broadhempston, Kingskerswell, Virginstowe and Pennymoor.

For the wider travel overview: Devon.