Cullompton

About

The peaceful country town of Cullompton is set within the tranquil Culm Valley, and boasts one of the UK's most magnificent churches.

The Cullompton Heritage Trail starts at Tesco’s car park and leads you around town landmarks including the fine church, almshouses, the old Bull Ring, the Leat with upper and lower mill and the Waldrons Manor House, currently under renovation.

The finest building in the town is undoubtedly St. Andrew's Church with a lofty 120 foot sandstone tower that dominates the landscape for miles around. This impressive 15th century church was built with wealth from the woollen industry, and is a treasurehouse of beautiful features incuding a wagon roof in rich scarlet, blue, green and gold, and an ornate rood screen.

There is also a very rare oak Golgotha of medieval origin, so old and blackened that it looks like stone. The Golgotha, carved with skulls and bones, would have supported the base of the medieval cross (rood), and may be the only surviving example in the world.

The historic Walronds building, next to the Manor Hotel in central Cullompton, is a delight to visit. Currently undergoing major heritage restoration it is expected to re-open in early 2014.

Delicious local goods can be purchased from friendly knowledgeable producers who have grown or reared the food themselves at the town's award-winning farmers market, plus regular pannier market and expanded street market.

Another Cullompton speciality is antiques, and a visit to nearby Fagins in the Old Whiteways Cider Factory at Hele is a must with rooms and yards crammed with curious and beautiful objects.

Cullompton is also the gateway to the outstanding scenery of the Culm Valley, much of which falls within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Honeycombed with footpaths, bridleways, and cycle trails, this is wonderful countryside to explore at your leisure.

Visitor attractions in Cullompton include Yarak Birds of Prey, a private falconry school, and Diggerland, an exciting family attraction where kids can ride real diggers! It is also worth making a detour to Coldharbour Mill at Uffculme, a historic working woollen mill with waterwheel and original steam engine that gives a fascinating glimpse into the textile industry that once flourished in the area.