Cornworthy combines a distinctive priory history with church architecture, a route to Bow Creek and a woodland area with far-reaching views towards Dartmoor. This makes the village interesting for travellers who want to consider both culture and countryside when choosing a place to stay. The themes differ in their architectural forms, historical periods and landscape connections to the water and woodland.
Cornworthy Priory and its history
Cornworthy Priory was an Augustinian nunnery that was in use from the early 13th century until 1536. The visible remains consist of ruined stone structures and a series of low earthworks. The most significant surviving structure above ground is a freestanding gatehouse dating from the 15th century. The priory is designated as a Scheduled Monument.
The two dates refer to different aspects of the site: the priory was in use from the early 13th century until 1536, while the gatehouse dates from the 15th century. The surviving features also differ. The gatehouse is a single structure above ground; the low earthworks and ruined stone structures form other visible traces. This makes it possible to understand the priory’s history both chronologically and through its different remains.
Church architecture in Cornworthy
St Peter’s Church offers a distinct architectural feature. Its tower consists of three tiers and is designed in a style unique to Devon. This differs from the priory gatehouse: at the church, the focus is on the tower’s arrangement, while at the priory it is a freestanding structure dating from the 15th century. Visitors interested in architecture can compare these two different forms of construction.
Bow Creek and Charleycombe Wood
The landscape also offers different points of interest. The South Hams Way leads from Cornworthy down a descending path to Bow Creek. The creek is rich in birdlife, including herons, swans, egrets, kingfishers, gulls, ducks and Canada geese. The route and the wildlife offer different points of focus: the path descends to the water, while the birds listed draw attention to the creek’s birdlife.
Charleycombe Wood lies immediately north of the village in a steep valley within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The woodland includes a steep hill with impressive far-reaching views towards Dartmoor. Unlike Bow Creek, the focus here is on the terrain and the views. Those weighing up nature-related interests for a stay can distinguish between birdlife by the water and steep woodland with far-reaching views.
The locations also help with orientation: Cornworthy Priory lies at the western end of the village in a small valley south of Bow Creek; Charleycombe Wood is north of the village. These landscape features are therefore in different geographical locations and complement the distinct themes of priory history, church architecture and nature.
Events in Cornworthy
Cornworthy Village Hall and its facilities can be booked for events by village members and other members of the public. If you are planning an event, this is a practical point of interest alongside the village’s historical and landscape themes.
Discover more destinations: Wick, Cove, Berrynarbor, Brixton, Buckland Brewer, Payhembury, Lapford, Kingskerswell.
For the wider travel guide: Devon.
