Chittlehampton brings together sacred history, remembrance, industrial heritage and craftsmanship. Its notable features include the Grade I-listed Church of St Hieritha, the medieval pilgrimage history of St Urith's Well and the former supply of local quarries to lime kilns across Devon. A ceramics studio and a military museum add to this picture. This mix offers several distinct ways to explore the area, rather than defining it by just one period or theme.
Church, remembrance and sacred heritage
The Church of St Hieritha is a Grade I-listed building. This designation gives travellers who appreciate historic religious architecture a specific reason to visit Chittlehampton. The Chittlehampton War Memorial offers a different perspective on the past: it commemorates 20 local servicemen who died in the First World War. The church and the memorial thus represent two different forms of historical remembrance—the protected church building and the commemoration of individuals from the area.
St Urith's Well and medieval pilgrimage history
St Urith's Well is also known as Teara's Well or Taddy Well; it probably dates back to the 8th century AD. In the Middle Ages, the well and its associated chapel were an important pilgrimage destination. People with eye conditions in particular came there on the first Sunday after St Peter's Day to anoint themselves. This history connects a specific place with a medieval pilgrimage practice and a particular date. It therefore differs from the War Memorial's commemorative purpose and the church's listed status.
Industrial heritage, museum and crafts
Chittlehampton's former limestone quarries supplied many lime kilns in Devon. This broadens the focus from individual buildings to local industrial history and its links to the county's lime kilns. Hudscott Cross also forms part of this historical context: the monument is believed to have come from Chittlehampton churchyard.
Roger Cockram Ceramics offers a different, craft-based perspective. The business has a studio and gallery in Chittlehampton, North Devon, and makes individual pieces from porcelain fired at high temperatures. Unlike the history of the limestone quarries, the focus here is on individually crafted objects. If you are planning to visit the studio or gallery, check the arrangements before travelling.
The Cobbaton Combat Collection is a military museum and tourist attraction in Chittlehampton. It adds another perspective: unlike the church, pilgrimage practice and ceramic art, its focus is military history.
Choose a hotel to suit your travel interests
When looking for a hotel in Chittlehampton, you can use these differences as a guide: are you more interested in sacred history and medieval pilgrimage practice, remembrance of the First World War, or industry, the military museum and ceramics? This will help you choose accommodation that fits the subjects that genuinely interest you.
Discover more destinations: Hollacombe, Woolacombe, Lynmouth, Meshaw, Colebrooke, Staverton, Blackawton, Uplyme
Return to the main travel overview: Devon.
