Meshaw offers three distinct highlights to help you plan your trip: walks, the Meshaw Moor nature reserve south of the village, and the history of St John the Baptist Meshaw. The three Meshaw Walks each have their own appeal; Walk 1 can also be planned around its circular route, distance and approximate duration. The historical references range from the Domesday Book of 1086 to the rebuilding of the church in 1838. This lets you decide whether you would like to spend more time walking outdoors, taking in the landscape, or exploring local and church history.
Choose walks by duration and view
Meshaw Walk 1 is a circular route of about 6.5 miles along roads and takes approximately two hours. Along the way, there are views and opportunities to spot wildflowers, butterflies and birds. The combination of a circular route and nature-watching offers something beyond the walking time itself. As road and path conditions can change, check conditions before setting out.
The other two Meshaw Walks differ mainly in what they look out over: Walk 2 offers views towards Dartmoor, while Walk 3 offers a view of the village from a viewpoint. This gives you two different options: a perspective towards Dartmoor or a view of Meshaw. Walk 1 stands out for its circular route and approximate duration. So you can choose based on whether you prefer a view or a particular time frame.
Meshaw Moor south of the village
Meshaw Moor is one mile south of Meshaw and comprises thirteen fields of Culm grassland rich in wildflowers. A marked path runs around the nature reserve and takes about an hour to walk. By way of comparison, this is shorter than the approximately two-hour Meshaw Walk 1. The routes also differ in how they are described: one goes around the nature reserve, while the other is a circular route along roads. You can therefore include their walking times as separate blocks in your plans. As ground conditions can change, check current conditions before setting out.
Local and church history in chronological order
Meshaw is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Mauessart. The earliest recorded Christian worship at St John the Baptist Meshaw dates to 1263; the parish register began in 1580, and the church was rebuilt in 1838. The 1086 entry refers to Meshaw as a village, while the next three dates mark different milestones in the church’s history: worship, the start of the register and rebuilding. This lets you distinguish an early reference to the village from its later church history and read the four dates in chronological order.
Plan your church services
At St John, Meshaw, a Holy Communion service takes place monthly on the second Sunday at 11:15 am, and a morning prayer service on the fourth Sunday at 11 am. If you would like to include a service in your travel plans, check the current dates in advance, as times may change.
Discover more places to visit: Washfield, Coffinswell, Whitchurch, Shaldon, Blackawton, Kingskerswell, Chittlehamholt, Bampton
For the broader travel overview: Devon.
