Culmstock Beacon

Culmstock Beacon and views

Culmstock Beacon is a stone hut which sits at the top of Blackdown Common and watches over a number of nearby villages including Culmstock, Hemyock and Uffculme. The views from the Beacon hut are so extensive that on a fair day it is possible to see almost as far as Exeter. 

The hut

 

Culmstock Beacon from Nicholashayne approach

The hut was initially built in the early to mid-1500s – likely during the reign of Elizabeth I. It was used as part of a network of similar warning signals built at the top of hills across the South West of England. Although the hut at Culmstock is not completely original due to restoration, it has played an important part in British history. 

Path leading to Blackdown Common from Nicholashayne

The hut would have originally supported a basket above the hole within the top of the stone roof which was filled with straw and set alight to warn of impending invasion. In the day, one person from the local community would have taken charge of supervising the Beacon and at night there would have been two or three people on constant watch. As invading ships were spotted, fire beacons were lit to warn of the approaching enemy. This was incredibly important during the Spanish Armada of 1588 when invading Spanish ships were seen from the South West coast of Britain. Fire beacons were lit and this quickly conveyed the message to London that the country was at imminent risk from invasion. It is entirely possible that the Beacon at Culmstock was one of those that was lit to pass the message. In one of the most well-known British naval victories, the Spanish Armada of 1588 was beaten and this success was due in part to the quick reaction of the local people who lit the fire beacons. 

Looking at the sky through the hole in the roof

Looking through the window from inside the hut

Looking through the door from inside the hut

The Beacon is easily viewed from the nearby villages of Culmstock and Hemyock and it is reached by a short drive towards Culmstock from the A38 which passes through the Devon/Somerset border near the village of Burlescombe. The Beacon can be accessed by a number of narrow roads which all have very limited parking so, if possible, the easiest way to reach the Beacon is by walking from one of the nearby villages. At the foot of the Blackdown Common are a number of roads that lead to dead ends and therefore the Beacon itself can only be accessed on foot. If you are intending to walk up to the top of the hill do be careful. It can be uneven underfoot and the rocks and stones become slippery when wet. The paths on Blackdown Common are also easily waterlogged and so it is advised that you wear sturdy, waterproof boots. 

Views over Culmstock and Hemyock from Culmstock Beacon and top of Blackdown Common

Heather on Blackdown Common

Views over Culmstock and Hemyock from Culmstock Beacon and top of Blackdown Common

 

 

Be prepared to see plenty of beautiful wildlife as you make your way up to the Beacon hut. Blackdown Common is covered in heather which gives the hills a beautiful purple tinge when it is at its best. There are an abundance of wild ponies which graze on the common and you will be guaranteed to spot them. Rather more tricky to spot however are the beautiful deer which often leap out in front of you as you walk up to the hut. There are no restrictions as to when the Beacon can be accessed and there are amazing views to be seen all year round. This beautiful viewpoint over Mid-Devon is definitely worth many return trips. 

Article by Jo Norton, We Love Mid-Devon

Photos by Jo Norton

All articles on this blog are the property of the authors and We Love Mid-Devon. Whilst we are happy for you to share, No articles are to be reproduced, copied or screenshot without the permission of the author. Please contact us if you wish to re-produce in a publication.

Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme

Coldharbour Mill Museum is situated in the village of Uffculme close to the M5 motorway. It’s one of the UK’s oldest woollen mills, owned by the Fox Brothers a well-known local textile producer. The mill has produced many items over the years including cloth, textile and yarn. Nowadays it’s a working wool museum where visitors can explore and learn more about the history of a working textile mill, the work and processes involved. 

Uffculme is one of the oldest villages in the area and mentioned in the Domesday Book. It’s thought that a mill of some kind has been active on the site since medieval times – originally built for corn – until the mill was eventually developed into a woollen textile business in 1797 by Thomas Fox. The site included land, a water wheel and a variety of buildings and after opening another site at Tonedale in Somerset Thomas Fox ran the business with his six sons. A key part of the Industrial Revolution, the company added a new water wheel to Coldharbour Mill in 1821 and steam engines were added in 1865. 

As it continued to grow the business shifted to worsted spinning, which enabled the company to increase demand, producing high quality and much sought after products, becoming very successful. The mill was powered by steam from 1865 right through to 1981, when the mill opened a working museum in 1982. It still continues to operate as a working museum today, giving visitors an exciting glimpse into an important south-west business. Throughout the year members of the Steam Volunteer Group demonstrate the old steam equipment, giving visitors the opportunity to see the old steam driven machinery in operation.

Things to see

There are many exhibits at the museum for visitors to see, including the steam equipment which mainly comes from this mill, but a few of the pieces are from the nearby – now closed – Tonedale Mill in Somerset. Other exhibits include weaving and spinning machines. Visitors can also see some of the old equipment in use, and experience what it would have been like to work in one of these factories and what life for families at the time was really like. There is also a section showing visitors some of the products that have been made at the site over time, including the production of Puttee’s during WWI and WWII.

Coldharbour Mill is a fantastic place and it gives visitors a real glimpse into the industrial past of Mid Devon. Not only does it still supply much loved products to a variety of companies, but it opens its doors to both locals and visitors from further afield so that they can learn more about its history, and it caters for school education visits too. As well as the incredibly interesting buildings, machinery and old working tools, the mill has a cafe, gift shop and some nice outside spaces for visitors including an outdoor play area for children and picnic area. The mill is also close to a lovely riverside walk, and only fifteen minutes walk from the heart of the village of Uffculme if visitors wish to venture further afield. 

Visting Coldharbour Mill

So, if you’re looking for something interesting to do in Mid-Devon why not visit Coldharbour Mill. Around ten minutes drive from Junction 27 of the M5 motorway, it’s very easy to locate, all you need to do is follow the signs to Willand and then the brown visitor signs to Working Wool Museum, Uffculme. The nearest train station is Tiverton Parkway and there are buses to the village of Uffculme. To learn more about ticket prices and opening hours click the following link.

• Have you ever visited Coldharbour Mill? If so what did you like the most about it?

 

Article by Chrissie Parker, We Love Mid-Devon

Photos by Chrissie Parker.

All articles on this blog are the property of the authors and We Love Mid-Devon. Whilst we are happy for you to share, No articles are to be reproduced, copied or screenshot without the permission of the author. Please contact us if you wish to re-produce in a publication.