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(Text prepared by Cullompton Women's Institute) The Parish of
Cullompton extends some seven miles along the valley of the River Culm,
covering nearly 8000 acres and with about 7000 inhabitants. The name is
Saxon, meaning the 'Tun' (town), or settlement, on the Culm. (See History Page for more details). The
Town Trail starts at the Parish Hall. This part of the town is known as
the Higher Bull Ring because the cattle market took place here until
1918. Cross the road with care by the War Memorial where the remains of
the old watercourse can be seen. Looking
back, a nearby building above The Estate Agency, has no less than
fourteen chimney pots. Other buildings to note are, to the left, the
fine old Georgian town house, now Barclays Bank and the adjacent house,
Golds Place, which is also Georgian, but has an added modern facade.
Opposite is the old Police Station- the clock face indicates the
previous use of the building. Nearby is the Baptist Church, the
Baptists having been established in the town in about 1700. Proceed
in a northerly direction to Station Road. 0n the opposite corner are
the almshouses given by John Trott in 1522, now used as six residences
for the elderly under the management of Cullompton United Charities. Cross
over with care and walk down Station Road - the railway station no
longer exists - and note College Road. It is thought that this may have
been the site of the building where the monks of Buckland Abbey came to
collect the rents. Continue along Station Road and cross over the leat
road bridge and turn into the public footpath which runs along the Mill
Leat . This is a man-made tributary of the River Culm diverted to power
several mills. The first mill you see is Higher Mill, now converted to
private housing, but the remains of the mill sluice can be seen. Next,
continuing along the now totally demolished except for a wall and the
remains of the sluice. All the mills were corn mills originally, but
Middle Mill was put to various uses and became part of Bilbies' Bell Foundry.
Many famous bells were cast by Thomas Bilbie, including eight out of
the ten in St. Andrew's tower. This mill then became an axle works.
Continue along the leat to Lower Mill. On the way note the fine view of
the church and the old vicarage, now a nursing home, and the fine red
brick Victorian house next to the church. Lower Mill was the last mill
on the leat to have been working and although now converted to a
private residence the old sluice can be seen. You may continue
for a longer walk over the fields belonging to the Cullompton Community
Association and join Duke Street, turning right to walk back into the
town, but to follow this trail turn right by the mill and follow the
lane to Queen Square and on to the top of Cockpit Hilt the site of the
old Cock Pit . Walk down the hill into Pound Square. Animals were
impounded here on Market Days. On your right is the Unitarian Church
dating from 1662 when Richard Compton was ejected from the living of
the Parish Church. The present building replaces a cob chapel which
collapsed in 1915. Proceed through Ways Lane on your right. To the left
is the site of the former tannery (now Somerfields) which was burned
down in 1958, causing great distress to the town, as it was one of the
principal employers. Cross the main Exeter Road to Crow Green. Bear
right and on your left you will see St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church.
This was built in 1929 by the De La Casas family. Note the Spanish
style of building. Turn right and walk up past the church and then turn
right again into New Street, where the disastrous fire of 1839 started,
and almost destroyed the whole town. Proceed back into Fore Street and
turn left, crossing the road into Church Street, which is dominated by
the fine tower of St. Andrew's Church, some
120 feet in height. A visit to this beautiful church is a 'must' and
visitors will find a leaflet inside introducing them to what has been
described as one of the most magnificent parish churches in Devonshire.
It dates mainly from the 15th Century, but the South Aisle was added in 1526 by John Lane, a wealthy cloth merchant. The church contains a very rare wooded Golgotha, of mediaeval origin. After
leaving the church, noting the cobbled pavements of Pye Corner, take a
look at the houses opposite in Gravel Walk. The old thatched houses
were thought to have been priests houses. Returning to Fore Street, and
turning right you pass 'Community House' at one time the Rising Sun
Inn. A few doors along is a shoe shop which was once the Court House,
and then the Market House for the Shambles, where meat was sold.
Further along is the White Hart, an old coaching inn.
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