Stoke Rivers offers several specific starting points for exploration: St Bartholomew stands on a hill overlooking the sea, named buildings preserve historic architectural features, and a documented circular walk passes through a sequence of places. This gives you a genuine choice of focus for planning: a dedicated visit to the church, a closer look at individual architectural features, or a walking route. These topics offer different ways to experience the place: its setting and building history, details of individual houses, and a route along country lanes and footpaths.
St Bartholomew: Setting and Building History
St Bartholomew dates from the late 15th or early 16th century and is listed as a Grade I building in England. The church stands on a hill overlooking the sea and is accessible via a grassy footpath. Its date, listing and location complement one another: they place the building in time, identify its protected status and show its position with a sea view. Booking in advance is recommended for a visit; the church may be closed in strong winds. Conditions on the grassy path can change seasonally. Therefore, confirm in advance whether a visit is possible and access is available.
Architectural Features at Three Buildings
Glebe House preserves a 17th-century two-light chamfered mullioned window on the north side of the building. This provides a specific reference point for looking at the architectural form and is spatially distinct from the interior features mentioned at the two farmhouses.
At Stoke Beera Farmhouse, an ovolo-moulded feature dating from 1686 survives at the right-hand end of the chamber’s first-floor fireplace lintel. Ovolo refers to a convex, rounded moulding. Lower Davis Farmhouse preserves ovolo-moulded beams and a 17th-century fireplace lintel in the main room. This makes it possible to compare one feature dated to 1686 with two features in a main room. The dating also differs: a specific year is given for Stoke Beera, while Lower Davis is dated to the 17th century.
A Circular Walk with Named Stages
A circular walk documented for a Ramblers walk on 10 September 2023 runs along country lanes and footpaths from Landkey through Goodleigh to Stoke Rivers, then returns via Gunn on the Tarka Trail. The sequence of places therefore comprises a route through Goodleigh to Stoke Rivers and a return via Gunn and the Tarka Trail. It provides a concrete basis for planning a walk without specifying a walking time or distance. Check current path conditions and access before setting out. Unlike the individual architectural features, the circular route describes a sequence of places and paths; this can help you decide whether your trip should focus more on a walking route or historic architecture.
Discover more destinations: Witheridge, Bradninch, Modbury, Exmouth, Hatherleigh, Ottery Saint Mary, Princetown, Broadwoodwidger
For the overview of the wider region: Devon.
