St Petrock's Church, Parracombe, Devon

Address:
Church Lane, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4RJ
How to find us | Access information
Opening times:
Open daily
  • Photo: The CCT
  • St Petrocks at Parracombe
  • Photo: The CCT
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Legendary hilltop church with a perfect interior

Set in glorious countryside on the edge of Exmoor this hilltop church seems to be a modest medieval building, but it is the lovely light Georgian interior with painted texts and wonderful furnishings that have hardly changed for 200 years that make it very special.

The undulating slate floors and leaning arcade only add to the unforgettable charm of this church. There are rails round three sides of the altar, the Ten Commandments painted on a board above a pretty fifteenth-century screen, a three-tier pulpit with reading desk, box pews, and musician seats raised on steps at the west end.

St Petrock's is believed to be the last church in Devon to have had musicians accompany the hymns - there is a hole in one of the pews to allow room for the bow of a bass viol.

In 1879 there was a proposal to pull the church down because of fears for its stability, and to build a new one on the same site. The poet John Ruskin led the protests and sent a £10 cheque to support the preservation of the church. The objections were successful and the church was saved.

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  • Access information
    Up a grassy slope, through the churchyard gate, and up a gentle grass path to the south porch. There is a level entrance to the south lobby with a slate floor. Fairly steep sloping access up across grass in the churchyard to a level, wide entrance through the south porch. Uneven floors but passable in a wheelchair with care.
  • Facilities & Hire
    Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating, running water and toilet facilities.The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor.
  • Directions
    11 miles north east of Barnstaple, off A39 and 4 miles south west of Lynton
  • Transport
    Nearest railway station: Barnstaple (10.6 miles)
  • History & Further Information

    Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?

    You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.

    Cornwall, Devon & Dorset County Guide

    This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Cornwall, Devon & Dorset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

  • Community information

    St Petrock's Church, Parracombe is in our west region.

    Useful local links:

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