Plymtree: Church Art, Historic Houses and the History of Its Roads

Plymtree is a destination for travellers who want to combine cultural discoveries with a particular appreciation of historic details. Rather than being defined by a single attraction, the character of the place is shaped by several houses, architectural features and reminders of the past. These include rare external timber framing, an exceptionally richly appointed church interior and a documented history of its roads. If you like to plan your trip around specific discoveries, Plymtree therefore offers interesting starting points for a stay connected with culture and the countryside.

Historic Houses with Unusual Details

Pencepool Farmhouse has a front section with external timber framing, which is very rare in rural Devon. This makes the building a notable example of a construction method that is not commonplace in the local landscape. Little Clyst William Farmhouse also stands out through its classification as a Grade II* listed building. Anyone interested in regional architecture can use details such as these to see how differently historic houses were designed and classified.

Woodbeer Court dates back to the late 15th to early 16th century and was extensively improved in the later 16th century, the 17th century and the early 18th century. Another historic feature of the house is its unusually high proportion of early windows. The adjoining farm buildings form a group dating from the early 18th century. In the cider house among these buildings are the remains of a press – a small, vivid detail that makes the former function of the complex more tangible, without requiring a lengthy history of its construction.

St John the Baptist: Church Art and Distinctive Individual Features

The parish church of St John the Baptist in Plymtree brings together several distinct artistic and historical features. Its painted rood screen dates from the late 15th century and has 34 painted panels. There is also a medieval stone sculpture of the Virgin and Child, set in a niche on the west side. For families with different interests, the church can thus offer a subject that combines architecture, painting and medieval visual language.

Further details can be found inside the church and in the churchyard. The church contains a presumably Flemish alabaster panel from the 16th century depicting the risen Christ and Roman soldiers. The churchyard also contains a Celtic cross made of Dartmoor granite. The old yew tree there is said to be more than 1,100 years old. Together, these elements offer more than a simple overview of a church: they form a sequence of motifs that you can notice individually and compare with one another as you plan your trip.

The History of the Roads and Planning Your Own Day

The roads are also part of the history of the place. In the parish of Plymtree, six footpaths were identified during the original survey under Section 27 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and entered on the Definitive Map and Statement with the relevant date of 5 November 1957. This information describes the historic recording of the network of routes. If you would like to plan walks or a more leisurely day, it is sensible to check the current route that is suitable for your trip yourself in advance.

When choosing holiday accommodation or a holiday house in Plymtree, the main consideration is therefore the type of stay you want. A culture-focused itinerary can emphasise the church art and historic houses; anyone who enjoys moving between built heritage and walking routes can also take the history of the roads into account.

Compare Other Places

If you would like to compare Plymtree with other destinations, you can also include Ashwater, Shirwell, Culmstock, Lympstone, Copplestone, Barnstaple, Stoke Rivers and Bradworthy in your further search.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.