Southleigh: Church, Wiscombe Park and Archaeological Sites

Southleigh combines ecclesiastical art, manor-house history, motorsport and impressive archaeological sites. Anyone looking for a blend of culture and landscape during their stay will find a range of different starting points here for planning their trip. The historic sites range from a church with Norman origins to an Iron Age hillfort and a rare surviving earthwork.

St Lawrence’s Church and the Willoughby Chest Tomb

An important cultural and historical landmark is St Lawrence’s Church. Its origins date back to the Norman period, while the tower dates from the 15th century. The west tower is the only surviving part of the medieval Church of St Lawrence. The church’s present appearance also reflects several later phases of construction: the south aisle was added in 1821, the chancel followed in 1854, and the church underwent extensive restoration in 1881.

Inside, the Willoughby Chest Tomb draws attention to a specific testament to the area’s history. It is dated 1616 and dedicated to Henry Willoughby. A carved heraldic relief is located at its western end. For travellers who enjoy taking their time to examine historical details, this tomb offers a single, tangible connection to Southleigh’s past.

Wiscombe Park: Country House and Hillclimb History

Wiscombe Park also represents the combination of architecture and experiential history. The estate is a Grade II* listed country house, built in 1826 by J. Power of Colyton. Motorsport enthusiasts will also find a special historical connection here: the first hillclimb race at Wiscombe Park took place on 24 August 1958.

Access to the Wiscombe Park Hillclimb is via the spectator car park or the competitors’ upper paddock. Anyone planning a trip with an interest in motorsport history can give this focus a different weighting from a day spent visiting churches and archaeological sites. When looking for a holiday cottage in Southleigh, it therefore helps to consider the desired balance of culture, landscape and motorsport when planning your days.

Blackbury Castle and the Cross-ridge dyke

The Iron Age univallate hillfort of Blackbury Castle lies on an east–west spur extending from the Broad-Down plateau. From this position, it overlooks valleys formed by tributaries of the River Coly. In spring, the ramparts and ditches of Blackbury Camp are covered with a dense carpet of brightly flowering bluebells. The site therefore combines an archaeological structure with a distinctly seasonal landscape impression.

Another notable archaeological site is the well-known section of the Cross-ridge dyke near Southleigh. It is 640 metres long; the northernmost 200 metres are visible as a low, flat earth bank in fields behind The Three Horse Shoes Inn. The Cross-ridge dyke on both sides of the inn is considered a rare surviving archaeological site of its kind. It contains archaeological and environmental-historical information about the landscape in which it was constructed.

Historical Discoveries for Planning Your Trip

The picture is completed by the two Ham Chest Tombs. They are dedicated to Richard Ham, 1752, and Andrew Ham, 1667, respectively. Together with St Lawrence’s Church, Wiscombe Park, Blackbury Castle and the Cross-ridge dyke, they create a destination whose appeal does not lie in a single attraction, but in the different traces of architectural history, early land use and regional memory.

When choosing accommodation, the type of trip you want can be decisive: do you value historic buildings, spring landscapes or the history of hillclimb sport? A holiday cottage provides the right setting for an individually tailored itinerary, without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

For comparing other destinations, you can also explore Exminster, Chittlehamholt, East Putford, Sampford Spiney, Clyst Saint Mary, Halberton, Bigbury-on-Sea and Brixton.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.