Places to visit & things to do
See also the page on Sport Facilities in Sampford Peverell for golf, cycling etc
Bickleigh Mill
Bickleigh Mill, south of Tiverton on the A396, is a working water mill with a good cafe and restaurant, and a shop selling gifts, home furnishings and children's clothes. It is next to the Red Earth art gallery, http://ju4142.wix.com/redearth-gallery and the Devon Railway Centre (see below) which is popular with children.
Bickleigh Mill, south of Tiverton on the A396, is a working water mill with a good cafe and restaurant, and a shop selling gifts, home furnishings and children's clothes. It is next to the Red Earth art gallery, http://ju4142.wix.com/redearth-gallery and the Devon Railway Centre (see below) which is popular with children.
Coldharbour Mill
Coldharbour Mill, just outside Uffculme, about 4 miles from Sampford Peverell, is a 200 year old woollen mill which still works on 'steam-up' days when the steam-driven machinery is started up. It is a museum of the history of the wool industry, spinning and weaving, but with live demonstrations, and it often has special exhibitions. See http://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk for more information.
Cycle Rides
National cycle route goes through Sampford Peverell, along the canal. Bikes can be hired from the back of the Globe if you want to cycle along the canal in either direction.
Devon Railway Centre
The Devon Railway Centre is next to Bickleigh Mill, off the A396 from Tiverton to Exeter. It is a great place to take children, with attractions such as a model railway and train rides on miniature trains. For more information see http://www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk
Diggerland
Diggerland at Willand, about 6 miles from Sampford Peverell, is a theme park where children and adults can ride on or drive construction machinery. For more information go to http://www.diggerland.com
Exmoor
Exmoor National Park is a large area of moorland, woodland and farmland. It stretches north from Dulverton in Somerset, about 15 miles from Sampford Peverell, to the North Devon coast. For more information, walking routes etc, see
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Coldharbour Mill, just outside Uffculme, about 4 miles from Sampford Peverell, is a 200 year old woollen mill which still works on 'steam-up' days when the steam-driven machinery is started up. It is a museum of the history of the wool industry, spinning and weaving, but with live demonstrations, and it often has special exhibitions. See http://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk for more information.
Cycle Rides
National cycle route goes through Sampford Peverell, along the canal. Bikes can be hired from the back of the Globe if you want to cycle along the canal in either direction.
Devon Railway Centre
The Devon Railway Centre is next to Bickleigh Mill, off the A396 from Tiverton to Exeter. It is a great place to take children, with attractions such as a model railway and train rides on miniature trains. For more information see http://www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk
Diggerland
Diggerland at Willand, about 6 miles from Sampford Peverell, is a theme park where children and adults can ride on or drive construction machinery. For more information go to http://www.diggerland.com
Exmoor
Exmoor National Park is a large area of moorland, woodland and farmland. It stretches north from Dulverton in Somerset, about 15 miles from Sampford Peverell, to the North Devon coast. For more information, walking routes etc, see
http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
The canal in Sampford Peverell
The Grand Western Canal
The lovely Grand Western Canal runs right through the middle of Sampford Peverell towards Tiverton to the West and Lowdwells to the East. The canal is 11 miles long and meanders through some of the loveliest countryside you will find anywhere in Devon. A towpath runs along the full length of the canal, and is perfect for walking or cycling (see Cycle Rides above for bike hires). The canal can also be used for fishing or boating, and in summer months you can take a trip on a horse-drawn barge from Tiverton - see http://www.tivertoncanal.co.uk
The canal was bought by Devon County Council in 1971 and was declared a Country Park. It is maintained by the Canal Rangers, but they are helped in many ways by the Friends of the Grand Western Canal, who are always happy to recruit volunteers - see this website: http://www.friendsgrandwesterncanal.org.uk
The canal is also popular with dog-walkers, but if you are out with your dog please pick up and remove any mess your dog makes and use the dog mess bins which are placed at every access point to the canal.
There is an informative visitors' centre at the Tiverton end of the canal, where there are also two good cafes which open from Spring to Autumn. There is also a wealth of information about the canal at this web site: http://www.devon.gov.uk/grand_western_canal
The lovely Grand Western Canal runs right through the middle of Sampford Peverell towards Tiverton to the West and Lowdwells to the East. The canal is 11 miles long and meanders through some of the loveliest countryside you will find anywhere in Devon. A towpath runs along the full length of the canal, and is perfect for walking or cycling (see Cycle Rides above for bike hires). The canal can also be used for fishing or boating, and in summer months you can take a trip on a horse-drawn barge from Tiverton - see http://www.tivertoncanal.co.uk
The canal was bought by Devon County Council in 1971 and was declared a Country Park. It is maintained by the Canal Rangers, but they are helped in many ways by the Friends of the Grand Western Canal, who are always happy to recruit volunteers - see this website: http://www.friendsgrandwesterncanal.org.uk
The canal is also popular with dog-walkers, but if you are out with your dog please pick up and remove any mess your dog makes and use the dog mess bins which are placed at every access point to the canal.
There is an informative visitors' centre at the Tiverton end of the canal, where there are also two good cafes which open from Spring to Autumn. There is also a wealth of information about the canal at this web site: http://www.devon.gov.uk/grand_western_canal
Holbrook Garden and Sampford Shrubs
Holbrook Garden is about a mile from the village, the other side of the A361. The 2 acre garden is run along organic lines and is open to the public on certain days between Spring and Autumn. They also sell plants grown in the nursery. For more information see the garden website here: http://www.holbrookgarden.com and the nursery website here: http://www.samshrub.co.uk
Holbrook Garden is about a mile from the village, the other side of the A361. The 2 acre garden is run along organic lines and is open to the public on certain days between Spring and Autumn. They also sell plants grown in the nursery. For more information see the garden website here: http://www.holbrookgarden.com and the nursery website here: http://www.samshrub.co.uk
Hot Air Balloon trips
In good weather we often see hot air balloons drifting over Sampford Peverell in the mornings or evenings. For more about hot air balloon flights in this area see the Tiverton section of this website: http://www.ballooning.co.uk/balloon-rides-over-mid-and-east-devon.php.
In good weather we often see hot air balloons drifting over Sampford Peverell in the mornings or evenings. For more about hot air balloon flights in this area see the Tiverton section of this website: http://www.ballooning.co.uk/balloon-rides-over-mid-and-east-devon.php.
Knightshayes
Knightshayes
Knightshayes is a Victorian country house just to the North of Tiverton. As well as the interesting William Burges decor it has lovely grounds and a very large walled kitchen garden. It is a National Trust property and is open most days of the year, with occasional special events such as Easter egg hunts and decorations at Christmas. For more information see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes/
Killerton
Killerton is a pretty 18th century house in lovely parkland, near Cullompton. The house has a wonderful collection of historic costumes and always has a fashion-related exhibition running, created in collaboration with fashion students and designers. It is a National Trust property and is open most days of the year, with occasional special events such as Easter egg hunts and decorations at Christmas. With its fashion connections the Christmas decorations at Killerton are usually sumptuous. For more information see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton/
Knightshayes is a Victorian country house just to the North of Tiverton. As well as the interesting William Burges decor it has lovely grounds and a very large walled kitchen garden. It is a National Trust property and is open most days of the year, with occasional special events such as Easter egg hunts and decorations at Christmas. For more information see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes/
Killerton
Killerton is a pretty 18th century house in lovely parkland, near Cullompton. The house has a wonderful collection of historic costumes and always has a fashion-related exhibition running, created in collaboration with fashion students and designers. It is a National Trust property and is open most days of the year, with occasional special events such as Easter egg hunts and decorations at Christmas. With its fashion connections the Christmas decorations at Killerton are usually sumptuous. For more information see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton/
Quad World
If you would like to try riding a quad bike - with full tuition and protective clothing - you might like to visit Quad World, near Cullompton. For more information see http://www.quadworld.co.uk/index.htm
If you would like to try riding a quad bike - with full tuition and protective clothing - you might like to visit Quad World, near Cullompton. For more information see http://www.quadworld.co.uk/index.htm
Sampford Peverell Church
The parish church of St John the Baptist dates from the 13th century, on the site of an older church of which all that remains is a Norman font. The church contains the remains of some of the Peverell family, who gave their name to the village, and an effigy of Hugh Peverell, one of the church's patrons in the 13th century. The church was extended in the early 15th century thanks to the generosity of Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, who owned the village at the time. She lived for a while in the Old Rectory, a private residence next door to the church.
The parish church of St John the Baptist dates from the 13th century, on the site of an older church of which all that remains is a Norman font. The church contains the remains of some of the Peverell family, who gave their name to the village, and an effigy of Hugh Peverell, one of the church's patrons in the 13th century. The church was extended in the early 15th century thanks to the generosity of Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, who owned the village at the time. She lived for a while in the Old Rectory, a private residence next door to the church.
Tiverton Castle
Tiverton castle is a privately owned castle dating from 1106, in central Tiverton. It was once home to the medieval Earls of Devon, and to Katherine Plantaganet, an aunt of Henry VII. She is buried in the neighbouring church which is also worth a visit. The castle is open to the public on certain days between Spring and Autumn. For details see http://www.tivertoncastle.com
Tiverton castle is a privately owned castle dating from 1106, in central Tiverton. It was once home to the medieval Earls of Devon, and to Katherine Plantaganet, an aunt of Henry VII. She is buried in the neighbouring church which is also worth a visit. The castle is open to the public on certain days between Spring and Autumn. For details see http://www.tivertoncastle.com
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life
This lovely museum is located in the centre of Tiverton. It is family-friendly and very welcoming. The displays include the 'Tivvy Bumper' GWR steam engine (you can sound the whistle), local industries (particularly lace making), farm wagons and the history of agriculture, and the every day home life of Mid Devon folk. For more information see: http://www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk
This lovely museum is located in the centre of Tiverton. It is family-friendly and very welcoming. The displays include the 'Tivvy Bumper' GWR steam engine (you can sound the whistle), local industries (particularly lace making), farm wagons and the history of agriculture, and the every day home life of Mid Devon folk. For more information see: http://www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk