River Exe, Tiverton
not able to go to heaven by one of these ways then, by God, they would not go there at all as long as he was Mayor’. Despite the top citizen of the town’s remarks Methodism arrived in Tiverton in 1752 and has remained there ever since.
Following the Napoleonic Wars a young man from the Midlands with a genius for invention and the business acumen to exploit it came to Tiverton. The young man was the 32 year old John Heathcoat who bought Heathfield and Company’s
redundant mill
and established a lace manufactory in the town. He patented a machine for the making and manufacturing of bobbin lace in 1808. By 1815 his machines were being licensed throughout the midlands earning him £16,000 a year; a millionaire in today’s world.
The following villages near Tiverton, and worth a visit, especially if you have an historical interest; Loxbeare, Washfield, and Stoodleigh.
Bickleigh lies astride the middle valley of the Exe amongst perfect pastoral beauty with rounded green hills rising to 700 ft. Bickleigh Bridge, a noted beauty spot dates from the late 16th century. It is said that Simon & Garfunkel gained inspiration for their hit song about troubled water whilst
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relaxing on the bridge. When visiting this beauty spot you will find two inns offering accommodation and excellent food.
The village of Bickleigh is very picturesque with its ancient food pubs on the river, and the Devonshire Centre, with its craft- and gift shops and also a cafe. Alongside the Centre is the Devon Railway Centre which gives train rides along the Exe Valley.
Bickleigh Castle was a moated and fortified manor-house,
of
which the gatehouse range is the chief remnant to-day. A fortified house of the Bickleigh family existed here in the 12th century. Work of this period may be seen in the bases of the imposts in
the gatehouse, and in the small chapel immediately
across
the lane. The house later degenerated into a farmhouse, but was rescued after the sale to the Carew properties in 1922, and
restored to its present form.
Bickleigh to Tiverton is a nice country linear walk, which takes in all the best of the countryside, like kingfishers along the water and the rabbits in the woods and much
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