Explore Burlescombe through the Grand Western Canal and traces of church and transport history. The canal, which runs through the village, offers opportunities for coarse fishing; historic buildings reflect the history of the canal and the former transport of limestone to the railway. At the Church of St Mary the Virgin, the focus is on architecture and funerary monuments. This gives you a clear choice when planning your visit: activities by the water, industrial heritage or church furnishings.

Fishing and a break by the Grand Western Canal

The stretch of the Grand Western Canal running through Burlescombe offers opportunities for coarse fishing. If you plan to fish, check permits and access arrangements in advance, as these may vary. There is parking and a small picnic area beside the old quay; check local parking arrangements. This lets you plan your fishing separately from deciding where a break by the canal fits into your stay.

Traces of canal and railway history

The Twin Culverts at St 0643 1643 were built between 1810 and 1814 for the Great Western Canal and are listed as a Grade II structure. Black Bridge illustrates another aspect of transport history: the old mineral railway bridge in Burlescombe was used to transport limestone to the railway line higher up in the village. The two structures can therefore be distinguished by their function: the culverts belong to the history of the canal, while Black Bridge is associated with transporting limestone to the railway. This comparison is useful if you want to understand historic buildings by the purpose they served.

Church of St Mary the Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a 15th-century parish church and is listed as Grade I. The north aisle contains remains of Ayshford Chapel, including an open wagon roof dating from the 15th century and a carved oak chancel screen. The church is also known for its Elizabethan and Jacobean funerary monuments. Several distinct points of interest come together in one building: the medieval church, the surviving parts of the chapel with its roof and screen, and the funerary monuments from later periods. Visitors interested in church architecture can explore both structural features and forms of remembrance.

Canonsleigh Abbey on the Grand Western Canal

Canonsleigh Abbey lies on the western bank of the Grand Western Canal. Its reredorter survives as a rectangular building, 6 m high, with a passage beneath it. This brief description draws attention to features different from those of St Mary’s: here, the focus is on the building’s form, height and passage. The structure therefore offers a distinct architectural perspective. This difference is useful when choosing a theme: at St Mary, the chapel, roof, screen and funerary monuments shape the experience; at Canonsleigh Abbey, the building’s form and passage take centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Modbury, Okehampton, North Tawton, Horrabridge, Coffinswell, Kingskerswell, South Pool, Woolacombe

For the broader travel overview: Devon.