Copplestone: Cross and Historic Cottages

Copplestone is a destination for travellers who want to get to know a place through its distinctive buildings and history. At the centre is Copplestone Cross: it has been documented since the 10th century, and its interlaced ornamentation is unique in Devon. This distinctive stone witness to the past combines a long historical tradition with a detail that remains particularly memorable when exploring the area.

Historical Details Around Copplestone Cross

Copplestone Cross stands at a busy road junction on the A377 in the village of Copplestone. Its location is therefore useful for finding your way around and should be taken into account when planning your day. Anyone interested in regional architectural history will find several specific examples in the surrounding area, where different materials, construction periods and architectural details can be observed.

Number 2 Cross Cottages is a Grade II listed house that was formerly made up of two cottages. This former division alone makes the building an interesting example of the area's architectural development. Number 1 Cross Cottages adds to this impression with windows featuring Gothic Revival glazing-bar patterns and fittings dating from the mid-19th century.

Number 1 Cross Cottages is also recorded as dating from around 1840. The house is made of rendered rubble stone or cob and has a slate roof. The combination of the material description, roof form and window design provides several points of interest if you want to view historic houses not merely as a backdrop, but in terms of their visible details.

Brandirons Corner Cottage also draws attention to the construction of an older house. There, the rafters have been renewed, while the principal roof trusses and purlins have been retained. Such differences between renewed and preserved structural elements make the walk more varied: you see not just a building, but can also observe which features define its roof structure.

Planning a Walk and Choosing Suitable Accommodation

For an active addition to your architectural sightseeing, consider the “Tom's Walks 17: Copplestone to New Buildings” walk. It starts at the Bewsley Hill car park in Copplestone. If you enjoy combining historical discoveries with exercise, you can include this starting point in your day's plans. The walk is a separate activity alongside exploring Copplestone Cross and the cottages; this does not imply a shared route between the places mentioned.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is worth first deciding on the focus you want for your trip. If the accommodation is primarily intended as a base for a culturally oriented stay, Copplestone's historical details will be the main focus. If you would also like to plan a walk, the starting point at Bewsley Hill car park should factor into your considerations. This allows you to compare offers not only by location, but also by how well the setting fits your personal itinerary.

Copplestone particularly appeals to those who like to look more closely: at a feature documented since the 10th century, at Gothic Revival windows, at slate roofs or at preserved structural elements of a historic house.

Choose More Destinations

If you would like to consider other destinations for your trip alongside Copplestone, here is a compact selection: Woodbury, Parkham, Lapford, Kingsteignton, West Buckland, Ashprington, Torquay and Slapton.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.