Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email
Kentisbeare B&B Accommodation
Hotel | Bed and Breakfast | Accommodation | Kentisbeare, Cullompton | Devon
Brambles Bed and Breakfast is 18 minutes (9.8 miles) via M5 from Kentisbeare, Cullompton in Devon.
About Kentisbeare:
Kentisbeare is a charming, historic village and parish in Mid-Devon, situated on the edge of the picturesque Blackdown Hills, known for its community spirit, traditional cottages, and proximity to the Culm Valley. Key features include the beautiful St. Mary's Church with its unique chequerboard tower, a thriving community hall, local shops, a pub (The Wyndham Arms), and hamlets like Blackborough and Sainthill, offering rural beauty and good walks. Key Information Location: Mid-Devon, between Cullompton and Honiton, near the River Culme. Community: Strong community spirit, with active village hall, clubs, and events like Easter egg hunts and Christmas parties. Amenities: Village store (Post Office), pub, primary school, pre-school, and a well-equipped Village Hall for events. History: Features a Grade 1 listed St. Mary's Church (consecrated 1259) with a notable 15th-century Rood Screen and unique tower stonework. Local Hamlets & Areas Blackborough (known for its unique farm nativity carol service) Sainthill Stoford Water Croyle Orway Aller Kingsford Local Website The Kentisbeare Parish Council website is a central resource for news, events, and local information.
History of Kentisbeare:
Kentisbeare, a historic Devon village, boasts a rich past centered around its fine St. Mary's Church (Grade I listed, with 13th-century origins and 15th-century additions like the Whiting Aisle), medieval houses (like Priesthall), and significant manorial history, notably with the Wyndham family and later Earls of Egremont, who built the Regency-style Kentisbeare House (1841) as a rectory, reflecting centuries of local influence and architectural evolution. Key Historical Aspects: St. Mary's Church: A beautiful Grade I listed structure, consecrated in 1259, featuring unique chequerboard stonework in the tower and a renowned 15th-century rood screen with original paint and gilding. Whiting Family: John Whiting, a wealthy London merchant, funded significant additions to the church in the early 1500s, including the south aisle, and his memorial brass (now missing) was once in the church. Manorial Lords: The manor passed through families like Punchardson, Furneaux, and Bonville before coming under the influence of the Wyndham family and later the Earls of Egremont. Kentisbeare House (Rectory): Built in 1841 for the rector by J.T. Knowles for the 4th Earl of Egremont, it's a Regency-style house with gardens redesigned by Arabella Lennox-Boyd. Medieval Buildings: The village has well-preserved medieval features, including timber-framed houses with original screens and fireplaces, like Priesthall, noted for its architectural significance. Tithe History: Like many parishes, Kentisbeare's tithes were surveyed and mapped in the 1830s-40s to convert payments in kind to monetary ones, leaving behind valuable historical records. Local Life: In the 19th century, Kentisbeare was a considerable village with fairs, an assembly room, and a mix of farmers, blacksmiths, and other trades, as noted in White's Directory (1850). Further Exploration: Explore parish records (baptisms, marriages, burials) on FamilySearch for genealogy. Check the Devon Heritage website for lists of historical residents. Visit the Kentisbeare Parish Council website for local historical leaflets and information.
Kentisbeare is set in the middle of the rolling plain of the lower Culm valley and is one of the gateways to the Blackdown Hills. Neighbouring Blackborough has wonderful views and on a clear day you can see as far as the southern edge of Exmoor. The third largest settlement in the parish is Sainthill. The parish boundary is only a mile or so from junction 28 of the M5, making travel easy.
Kentisbeare is a thriving community with a shop & post office, school, pub and modern village hall. St Mary's Church, with it's three ancient yew trees, was rebuilt in the 16th century. There is a cricket club and football club, WI and other local clubs. Blackborough is smaller but full of community spirit with a lot of effort being made to hold community events, the village hall often being the focal point. Sainthill has a well supported Baptist Church and Youth Club. The parish is part of Devon County Council's P3 scheme and there are many well maintained footpaths and bridleways to walk. Tourism plays it's part with a range of accommodation, including disabled accommodation. Fishing is available at Goodiford Mill.
Brambles Bed and Breakfast
Whitnage Cottage | Whitnage | Uplowman | Tiverton | Devon | EX16 7DS
01884 829211 | Email