Kingsteignton can be explored through its medieval architecture, water management and South Devon ball clay industry. These themes suit a stay that combines local history with time outdoors: a historic leat, a canal and a planned multi-use trail shed light on different aspects of the town, while Hackney Marshes offers a nature-focused experience of its own.
Church and water management
The surviving medieval masonry of the Church of St Michael dates mainly from the 15th century and is in the Perpendicular style. Parts of the wooden panelling of a 15th-century “road screen” featuring images of saints have also been preserved. The church and its furnishings thus offer two different insights into the town’s architectural history.
The Fairwater Leat adds the history of the water supply to this picture. It was probably first constructed in the 13th century, supplied Kingsteignton with water and powered three mills. Its course runs through the churchyard at Rydon to Lower Mill and from there on to the Teign. This topic therefore covers both the former use of the water and its route through the town.
Traces of the ball clay industry
Clay Cellars Studio consists of two clay cellars with doors opposite one another. It is an integral part of the nationally significant industrial landscape of the South Devon ball clay industry. The Hackney Canal in Kingsteignton was built in 1843 to transport clay to the River Teign near Newton Abbot. Taken together, the clay cellars represent a structure within this industrial landscape, while the canal represents the transport of the clay. Both offer an insight into industrial history, without the two sites needing to be linked as a sightseeing route.
Hackney Marshes and the Teign Estuary Trail
Hackney Marshes is a Local Nature Reserve in Kingsteignton. The area can be reached via Greenhill Way, where there is a free car park; a footpath also leads there from the Passage House Inn. As access and parking arrangements may change, check the latest situation before your visit.
The Teign Estuary Trail adds a perspective on routes to the nature and history themes. The first section, between Town Quay in Newton Abbot and the centre of Kingsteignton, opened in March 2013. In April 2018, a 700-metre eastern branch to the Passage House Inn followed. The aim is to create a high-quality multi-use trail along the Teign Estuary for walking, use with mobility aids and cycling. The planned connection is intended to link Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton with Dawlish. If you are planning to use the trail, distinguish between the sections that have opened and the overall route, which is still planned.
A cultural event
The Ram Roasting Fair is a very old festival that has probably continued since the Middle Ages. One of its defining features is the roasting of a whole ram carcass outdoors. If the festival is a reason for your trip, check the current event date in advance, as the annual arrangements may change.
When planning your trip, you can first choose your focus: the Church of St Michael and Fairwater Leat represent architectural and water history, while Clay Cellars Studio and Hackney Canal reflect the ball clay heritage. Hackney Marshes and the Teign Estuary Trail add nature and routes to these themes. If you are looking for hotels in Kingsteignton, you can then shape your stay around which of these aspects of the town you want to focus on.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Mortehoe, Chittlehamholt, Sampford Courtenay, Throwleigh, Colebrooke, Kingsbridge, Colyton, Beer
For the main travel overview: Devon.
