Walkhampton
| Walkhampton | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 Walkhampton church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX533696 |
| Location: | 50°30’29"N, 4°4’12"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 863 (2001) |
| Post town: | Yelverton |
| Postcode: | PL20 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Devon |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South West Devon |
| Website: | Burrator Parish Council |
Walkhampton is a village on the western side of Dartmoor in Devon.
The village lies on the Black Brook, a tributary of the River Walkham, about four miles south-east of Tavistock, near Horrabridge, Yelverton and Dousland. Burrator Reservoir, constructed in 1898, is to the south-east.
In 2001 the population of the parish was 863.[1]
The village has a pub, the Walkhampton Inn, dating from the 17th century, and a primary school named Lady Modiford's School which was founded in 1719, though the present building with its distinctive bell and clock tower dates from the second half of the 19th century.[2] In 2004 the school had 119 pupils in four classes.[3]
Church
Walkhampton's parish church, which is Grade I listed, is on an ancient elevated site about half a mile north-west of the village. Unlike most churches which face east, it faces north-east, the direction of the rising sun on the longest day.[4] The present building, which is built of granite and has a tower with four prominent pinnacles, dates from the 15th century, with much later alteration,[1] including restoration in 1860–61.[2] For 400 years until 1985 the church had no dedication and was known simply as "Walkhampton Church", but in that year it was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. Research has indicated that it may have been originally dedicated to St Dionisius of Walkynton.[4][5]
Church House, bearing the date 1698, but substantially 16th century in construction, is near the church. It was once an inn.[2] Also nearby is an ancient stone cross which was reconstructed from parts found in a hedge. The base and shaft were re-erected in 1984 by relatives of the Lieutenant Goldsmith who in 1903 had discovered a cross on the moor; a head was added in 1991.[6]
On the moorland above the village is Walkhampton Common which contains many important archaeological sites including at least eight stone rows, many cairns, cists, hut circles and reaves dating to the Bronze Age. There is also much evidence of tin mining from mediæval times and later.[7]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Walkhampton) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Harris, Helen (2004). A Handbook of Devon Parishes. Tiverton: Halsgrove. pp. 179. ISBN 1-84114-314-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Devon, 1952; 1989 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09596-8pages 886–888
- ↑ "The History of Lady Modiford's Primary School". Lady Modifords C. of E. Primary School. http://www.ladymodifords.devon.sch.uk/p_The_History_of_our_School.ikml. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Walkhampton Church - St Mary The Virgin | History". walkhamptonchurch.co.uk. http://www.walkhamptonchurch.co.uk/index.php?id=49. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ↑ Derrick, Richard A.. "St.Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton". Richard's Church Albums. http://www.rca.ukhq.co.uk/temples/church/dev-walkhampton-s.html. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ↑ Harrison, Bill (2001). Dartmoor Stone Crosses. Tiverton: Devon Books / Halsgrove. pp. 91–92. ISBN 1-85522-791-6.
- ↑ "Walkhampton Common". Dartmoor National Park Authority. http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/la-walkhampton-common. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
