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North Devon
Scene
West Down
West
Down is a pleasant village, set about four miles inland from the North Devon coast.
The busy market town of Barnstaple is just nine miles away.
450 feet above
sea level, the village sits in a bowl in the hills on the edge of one of the steep
wooded valleys which slice through the hills of this part of North Devon.
It
is the largest of the inland villages that support the scattered farms that have
moulded the landscape.
Substantial farmhouses and smaller cottages are
packed tightly around the 14th century Church. Many of the older buildings are
of cob with slate roofs, and date back to the 17th century.
The farmhouses
are now mostly private houses and their land has been sold off – the land
now farmed from farms on the periphery of the village. At the west end of the
village is the village square.
The village has a shop and post office
and village pub called The Crown, just off the village square.
West Down
has had its own village school which has been on the present site since 1842.
It was built at a cost of £139 and was known as the parochial school. Infants
were charged one penny (old) per week and older children tuppence. In 1890 there
were 175 pupils with 40 infants in a separate room.
The village is noted
for its footpaths, all well maintained and clearly marked. There are many fine
walks to and from the village and some circular ones.
The Crown Inn is
17th Century village pub where you can relax and enjoy a pint or meal in the friendly
atmosphere. CAMRA recommended Sunday roasts (booking advised) shouldn’t be
missed and you can sample local real ales and fine wines. There are home-made
specials on the menu every day and dinner party and buffets can be catered for.
There’s a fantastic garden to enjoy on those long summer days and you can
also sample the hospitality at their B&B.
If you would like to go back
to the days when you could walk to the farm up the road and collect fresh milk
and cream while saying hello to the cows and calves, then head for West Hill Farm.
Chris and Susi Batstone have managed their dairy herd and pastures organically
for five years, and two years ago they set up a processing dairy. The farm now
employs six staff who run the dairy and deliver the fresh milk and cream.
The
dairy team are very proud of their ‘crusty cream’, which is mentioned
by Rick Stein in his latest Guide to food heroes. It is unique to West Hill Farm,
and is a set fresh cream which can be used in the same way as clotted.
You
should also visit the Long House Tea Room – a picturesque 18th century tea-room
in West Down. Try their delicious light lunches and snacks, including traditional
Devon cream teas with home-made scones along with their range of home-made cakes,
with either tea, freshly-brewed coffee or a soft drink. All served with a very
warm welcome!
Once a year the village of West Down is the venue for what
is becoming a major fixture in the running calendar. Individuals, clubs, families
and folk on holiday take part in a beautiful 10k scenic run. The course has been
designed to test the more serious runners, whilst retaining the ‘fun’
element of a casual run through the beautiful North Devon countryside.
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