Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email
Hemyock B&B Accommodation
Hotel | Bed and Breakfast | Accommodation | Hemyock, Cullompton | Devon
Brambles Bed and Breakfast is 25 minutes (10.5 miles) via A38 and B3391 from Hemyock, Cullompton in Devon.
About Hemyock:
Hemyock is a historic, picturesque village in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in East Devon, known for its rich past, including prehistoric roots, medieval iron smelting, and the ruins of Hemyock Castle. It's the largest village in the Blackdown Hills, offering traditional rural life with amenities, a Norman church, a fancy Victorian water pump, and access to beautiful countryside walks, plus links to the Cadbury chocolate family's ancestry. Key Features & History Location: Situated in the upper Culm Valley, near the Devon/Somerset border, surrounded by scenic landscapes. Blackdown Hills: As the largest village in this AONB, it's a hub for outdoor activities like walking. Hemyock Castle: Remains of a 14th-century moated castle, with parts of towers and gatehouse still visible; it's a scheduled ancient monument. Iron Age & Medieval: Evidence of prehistoric activity (c. 100 BC) and medieval iron smelting (bloomeries) using local ore. Cadbury Connection: Ancestors of the Cadbury chocolate family originated from Hemyock. St. Mary's Church: A historic church featuring a notable list of "dog-whippers" (employed to keep dogs out during services). Victorian Water Pump: An ornate, historic pump stands proudly in the village centre. Village Life & Amenities Community: A viable village with a primary school, medical centre, shops, post office, and a popular pub (The Catherine Wheel). Activities: Ideal for exploring the countryside, with footpaths leading through valleys, woods, and fields. Parish Hall: A well-used community hub for events, meetings, and markets. Interesting Facts The village name might come from a British stream name ("Samiaco") or a Saxon personal name ("Hemman"). The first Young Farmers' Club in England started in Hemyock in 1921. There's a legend of a Dark Ages battle at nearby Simonsburrow.
History of Hemyock:
Hemyock, Devon, boasts ancient roots from 100 BC, thriving on medieval iron production, wool in the Tudor era, and later, the Culm Valley Railway; its history centers around the impressive, ruined 14th-century Hemyock Castle, a key Civil War site, now a private home with remains open for visits, alongside historical links to the Cadbury family and early industrial innovation like the West of England's first butter factory. Key Historical Aspects: Ancient Origins: Prehistoric remains suggest settlement around 100 BC. Saxon Era: Hemyock was a significant administrative center (Hemyock Hundred) and saw battles, including a Saxon victory over Britons. Medieval Growth: The village prospered from smelting local iron ore in bloomeries (furnaces). Hemyock Castle: A moated, quadrangular castle built after 1380 by Sir William Asthorpe, later falling into ruin. Crucial during the English Civil War (mid-17th century) for Parliamentarians, then captured by Royalists, and finally slighted (destroyed) by order of Charles II. Today, its substantial remains, including towers and walls, surround a later house and are open to the public on specific days. Industrial & Victorian Age: Wool trade brought wealth from the 1500s to the 1800s. The Culm Valley Railway, ending at Hemyock, operated for about 100 years. Home to the West of England's first mechanically operated butter factory (1886). Notable Connections: The Cadbury chocolate family originated in Hemyock. Visiting Hemyock Today: Explore the village, the Norman church, and the impressive castle ruins. Visit the Hemyock Castle Interpretation Centre for history displays. Check the Blackdown Hills National Landscape website for opening times.
Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email