Broadhembury offers two distinct ways to explore the village’s history: historic buildings and routes that start in the village centre. St Andrew’s Church is open daily; check the current access arrangements before your visit. You can also explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike – from a circular walk with views of Hembury Fort to a longer cycle route with shorter options.
Church and Medieval Buildings
St Andrew’s Church was dedicated in 1259. The south aisle and west tower date from the 15th century, and the ornate early porch from the 16th century. Its construction history therefore spans several centuries; the dates help distinguish the dedication from the later building phases.
The Drewe Arms has late medieval origins. This inn preserves a rare, unaltered pub interior. Newcott and Virginia Cottage are part of a group of eight closely spaced surviving medieval houses in the village. Together, the church, inn and group of houses represent different aspects of local history: sacred architecture, a historic pub and medieval houses.
Those interested in architectural history will find not just one dated church, but several distinct historical points of reference. The known dates for the church can be distinguished from the late medieval origins of the Drewe Arms and the group of houses. This provides a concrete framework for understanding Broadhembury’s different building and property types.
Walking Routes and Views
The Broadhembury and North Hill circular walk starts in the village centre. The route offers a view of Hembury Fort, a small Iron Age hillfort with multiple ramparts in the nearby area. At one point on the circular walk, the sea near Sidmouth is also visible. The two views offer different perspectives: one looks towards a prehistoric hillfort, the other towards the sea near Sidmouth.
One section of the circular walk is also a public bridleway. Broadhembury Parish Council provides maps and guides for six documented walks in the parish. A walking route from the village centre crosses the River Tale over a bridge. The information therefore includes specific route features, such as a river crossing, as well as different landmarks to look out for along the way.
Long-go is also a public bridleway and is suitable for horse riders. When comparing routes, different details are useful here: the Broadhembury and North Hill circular walk is noted for its views and a bridleway section, while Long-go is explicitly described as suitable for horse riders. The available maps and guides cover six documented walks in the parish.
Cycling Around Broadhembury
A 22-mile cycle route connects Hemyock, Blackborough, Broadhembury and Sheldon. It is described as moderate to challenging and has two optional shorter alternatives. This gives you a choice of a longer route or shorter alternatives within the same cycle route. The walking routes and cycle route can be compared using different details: the walking routes include descriptions of views and a bridge crossing, while the cycle route is described by its length, difficulty and alternatives.
To plan your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on historic buildings, a walking route or the cycle route. The features described provide specific points of reference: the architectural history of St Andrew’s Church, the medieval houses, the views along the circular walk or the cycling route options.
Discover more destinations: Sidmouth, Blackawton, Torrington, Uffculme, Ilfracombe, Budleigh Salterton, Whitchurch, Abbotskerswell.
For the wider travel guide: Devon.
