Whimple can be explored through clearly distinct themes: the history of St Mary's Church, cider history at the Whimple Heritage Centre, and the surrounding agricultural landscape. Added to these is the Wassail, an annual event in January. This distinction can be helpful when choosing a holiday rental: are you most interested in church architecture, local industrial history, a walk, or a regular event?
St Mary's Church and its architectural history
There has been a church on the site of St Mary's Church since Saxon times. St Mary's was extensively remodelled in 1845 by Charles Force, a building contractor from Exeter, and extended with a new south aisle. The designs were by John Hayward, the diocese's leading local church architect at the time. This brings together a long history of worship and a precisely dated remodelling.
The churchyard walls on the south and east sides, including the south gate, are listed at Grade II. Their date of construction is less certain: they were probably built in 1845 at the same time as the church's reconstruction; parts may be older. When looking at the architectural history, it is therefore worth distinguishing the extensive remodelling of the church from the uncertain dating of individual sections of wall.
A service is held at St Mary's every Sunday; details may change. Check the latest information if you are planning to attend a service during your visit.
Cider history at the Heritage Centre
The Whimple Heritage Centre documents the rise and decline of Whiteway's Cyder. It is the only cider museum in Devon. The museum at the Heritage Centre is on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible. If this accessibility information is important for your visit, check the latest visitor information in advance.
The Wassail as a seasonal event
The Whimple Wassail takes place every year on the evening of the traditional “Old Twelvy Night”, on 17 January. If 17 January falls on a Sunday, it takes place the following day. During the Wassail, participants walk from the Whimple Heritage Centre to various orchards in the village and then on to the village cricket club, where refreshments are served. The event gives your travel plans a specific date in January; arrangements may change from year to year. So check the relevant information before travelling.
Rural surroundings and a walk
Whimple is surrounded by farmland, including distinctive cider orchards. The Whimple Wander circular walk starts at The Square, near Whimple Village Stores. This offers a specific starting point for a walk alongside the cultural and historical attractions.
When looking for a holiday rental, your travel interests can guide your choice: the Wassail ties your stay to a specific date in January, while church architecture, cider history and the rural surroundings offer different thematic focuses. This lets you choose Whimple according to the reason for your trip, without turning the individual themes into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Stokeinteignhead, Uffculme, Rackenford, Colyton, Ipplepen, Salcombe, Instow, Copplestone
For the overview of the wider region: Devon.
