All Saints Church, Eggesford, Mid Devon & Local History Exhibition

All Saints Church, Eggesford, Devon, was rescued from closure by the Church of England in the 1990s. It represents the heritage of the vast aristocratic estate (at its peak over 16,000 acres with many farms and villages) held by families of regional and national importance, such as the de Reigneys, Chichesters and Fellowes, and later the Earls of Portsmouth.

The Chichesters' earlier Eggesford House was adjacent, before being relocated to today's grand Grade II building higher up the valley. The original walled garden is now in private hands.
Included by historian Dr Todd Gray in his 'Devon's Fifty Best Churches', a Grade II* listed church with rectors from C13; C14/C15 tower. Impressive C17 Chichester monuments, and later owner William Fellowes' C18 monument. The 1867 restoration by the 5th Earl of Portsmouth installed an unusually large family pew, and moved the remarkable Earl of Donegall monument to opposite today's entrance in the nave, fronted by rare Georgian box pews.

The secluded churchyard with views over earlier parkland and the Taw valley has Fellowes and Churchill chest tombs and access to the Portsmouth vault, resting place for the 4th and 5th Earls (closed for this event). The Friends have curated a local history exhibition, and books will be on sale - discover the connections to Julian Fellowes and his acclaimed 'Downton Abbey'.

Cream teas and other refreshments available, with parking by the church or access via the Tarka Line and the Tarka Trail.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:

1100-1700

Location & directions

All Saints Church, Eggesford, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7QU

Directions:

Leave the A377 at Eggesford Station and cross the railway line and the river Taw. The unmetalled road to the church is the first turning left (formerly the road to the now closed garden centre). Parking is available (with disabled parking at the church itself). Eggesford Station on the Tarka Line is about 10 minutes' walk from the church, and the church is on the Tarka Trail. Toilets available at the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel on the A377. what3words: chestnuts.direct.spending

Contact on day:

Jonathan Crofts

Telephone number:

+447798681707

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The disabled parking, church and churchyard are all broadly on one level, however there are two low steps into the church itself (these should be manageable for wheelchair users with assistance). Nearest toilets are at the Fox & Hounds Country Hotel on the A377, not on site.

Additional information

Dr Todd Gray: 'This is a building dominated by a need to be remembered and to do so ostentatiously... The monuments dominate the church and are, according to Miss Cresswell a century ago, more suited to a cathedral than to a small village church... the first great monument... is the only one of its kind in Devon... in the east end of the chapel is a third monument which catches the eye. This massive collection of marble dates from the early eighteenth century and demonstrates the change in taste to classical imagery... Notice also the Tortoise Stove with the motto slow but sure combustion.'

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