Whitchurch: Moors, Wayside Crosses and Village History

Whitchurch combines landscape, local history and notable landmarks associated with Dartmoor. If you are planning a trip that caters to different interests in nature and culture, the village offers several specific points of interest: Whitchurch Down with its distinctive moorland, historic wayside crosses, a listed church and buildings with a clear history.

Landscape and paths around Whitchurch Down

Whitchurch Down is registered common land. On its northern side is an area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. This Whitchurch Down SSSI comprises herb-rich valley mire and various invertebrates, including some rare species. It is designated as an SSSI solely because of its outstanding mires. This means that exploring Whitchurch Down is not only about the open landscape, but also about a distinctive natural area with its own ecological character.

The local rights of way and car parks are also relevant to planning your day. They are managed and maintained by Tavistock Town Council. Anyone wishing to include walks in their itinerary can therefore treat Whitchurch Down as a focus in its own right and consciously separate the scenic side of their stay from the historical themes.

Wayside crosses, church and historic buildings

One of the notable historic points of interest is Pixies' Cross. The wayside cross is one of the best-preserved medieval wayside crosses on Dartmoor. Green Lane Cross is associated with medieval routes that crossed Dartmoor to and from Tavistock.

St Andrew’s Parish Church in Whitchurch is a Grade I listed building. Whitchurch House also adds to the historic character: it is a former vicarage that was remodelled and extended in the early 19th century and is based on an earlier 18th-century building. Whitchurch Down is also home to The Pimple, a reservoir entrance building designed in 1914 by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Duke of Bedford. The range therefore extends from medieval wayside crosses to an early 20th-century building.

Walks with local history

A local programme of guided walks includes a tour through the village of Whitchurch. This tour covers the village’s history, which dates back to Norman times. It is part of a programme of 26 local walks that take place every weekend from April to October each year. If you plan your stay during this period, the guided village walk can provide a distinct cultural element alongside the landscape of Whitchurch Down.

Choosing accommodation to suit your itinerary

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Whitchurch, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip first. For nature-related interests, Whitchurch Down, the SSSI and the rights of way managed there take centre stage. If you are more interested in history, the medieval wayside crosses, St Andrew’s Parish Church, Whitchurch House and The Pimple can shape your choice of themes. The guided village walk combines local history with a clearly defined programme and schedule. This allows you to choose accommodation based on the experiences you actually plan to include during your stay.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more places on this page in addition to Whitchurch, you will find Molland, Hollacombe, Broadhempston, Uffculme, Cheriton Bishop, Moretonhampstead, Appledore and Copplestone here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Devon.