Martinhoe
| Martinhoe | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 Church of St Martin, Martinhoe | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS667486 |
| Location: | 51°13’18"N, 3°54’35"W |
| Data | |
| Postcode: | EX31 |
| Local Government | |
Martinhoe is a small village in northern Devon, on Exmoor (and within the national park). The 2011 census recorded a parish population of 159.
The northern boundary of the parish is the coast of the Bristol Channel, along which runs the South West Coast Path. Lynton and Lynmouth are to the east, while Parracombe is to the south. Nearby too are Kentisbury (to the south-west), and Combe Martin (to the west).
Parish church
The parish church of St Martin dates in part from the 11th century and is Grade II* listed.[1] It is in the Diocese of Exeter.
The boundaries of the church consist of century old Devon hedges.
About the village
The Beacon Roman fortlet, above the coast to the north west of the village, was occupied for a short time in the first century AD and was excavated in the 1960s.[2] The fort can only be accessed from the South West Coast Path and not from Martinhoe itself.
Hannington Hall is to be found opposite the church of St. Martin and was named after James Hannington, one of the rectors of Martinhoe and who lived in what is now The Old Rectory Hotel, next to the church of St. Martin.
Woody Bay on the coast of the parish was the site of a failed development plan in the 1890s. It is now home to rare flora. Woody Bay is owned by the National Trust.
Heddon Valley is in the Martinhoe Parish. The valley is home to rare butterflies. The valley is owned by the National Trust.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway ran through the southern part of the parish, and Woody Bay railway station is in the parish; at 964 feet it is said to be the highest railway station in southern England.[3] The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust operates narrow gauge trains over one mile of track between the station and Killington Lane.[4]
Hollow Brook (or Hollowbrook) Waterfall, that can be seen from the South West Coast Path, which drops to the sea due north of the village, is claimed to be "the westcountry's highest coastal waterfall, and one of the highest in Britain", dropping 690 feet in a series of falls including two of 160 feet, over 1,310 feet of horizontal distance.[5][6]
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1106778: Church of St Martin
- ↑ "The Beacon Roman Fortlet, Martinhoe". Exmoor National Park Authority. https://www.exmoorher.co.uk/hbsmr-web/record.aspx?UID=MDE1020-The-Beacon-Roman-Fortlet-Martinhoe. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Welcome". Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust. http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Visitor information". Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust. http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/visitor-information. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Top 10 winter waterfalls". http://www.countryfile.com/countryside/top-10-winter-waterfalls. Retrieved 18 August 2016. Source for 210m height
- ↑ "Walk - Martinhoe Roman Fortlet". SouthWest Coast Path Association. https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/print-walk/251/. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- Martinhoe through time – A Vision of Britain