Attractions and Places To See around Bickleigh - Top 20

Bickleigh is rich in history. You can explore Bickleigh Castle, an ancient fortified manor with a Norman chapel. Don't miss Bickleigh Mill, one of Devon's oldest working mills, now a shopping and dining destination. The medieval Bickleigh Bridge and the 14th-century St. Mary's Church are also notable landmarks. For a unique historical walk, consider the Exe Valley Railway Path, which follows a former railway line.

The area around Bickleigh offers numerous scenic routes. The Exe Valley Railway Path is excellent for both walking and cycling. Stages of the Exe Valley Way also pass through Bickleigh, offering beautiful views of the river and woodlands. For cycling, the Killerton Park Cycle Track provides a brilliant stretch through the National Trust estate. You can find more specific routes in the easy hikes around Bickleigh and road cycling routes around Bickleigh guides.

Yes, Bickleigh offers several family-friendly options. Bickleigh Mill is a great spot with shops and eateries in a historical setting. The Devon Railway Centre, located at the former Cadeleigh railway station, provides a unique railway experience with train rides and a model railway. Additionally, Shobrooke Park Lake and Stone Bridge offers 180 acres of parkland with grand lakes, perfect for a family stroll.

Bickleigh is nestled in the picturesque Exe Valley, with the River Exe providing a beautiful backdrop and opportunities for wildlife spotting, such as otters. Shobrooke Park Lake and Stone Bridge features grand lakes and sweeping vistas. Northdown Wood, near Thorverton, is a peaceful woodland ideal for walks, especially in spring when wildflowers are in bloom. The surrounding rolling hills also offer plenty of natural beauty.

Beyond exploring the attractions, the area around Bickleigh is excellent for outdoor activities. You can enjoy various hikes, including easy loops like the Exe Valley Way: Bickleigh Loop, as detailed in the easy hikes around Bickleigh guide. Cycling is popular, with options like the Killerton Park Cycle Track and numerous road cycling routes. Mountain biking trails are also available, such as those found in the MTB Trails around Bickleigh guide.

For traditional food and drink, Bickleigh Mill houses shops and eateries in a charming riverside location, perfect for a meal or a Devon cream tea. The Fisherman's Cot, a thatched-roof pub situated along the River Exe, offers traditional pub dishes and stunning views, making it a great spot to relax and potentially spot otters.

Bickleigh is known for its picturesque charm, partly due to its lovely thatched cottages. The medieval Bickleigh Bridge, dating back to the 14th century, is an attractive stone structure. Bickleigh Castle itself, with its ancient fortifications and Norman chapel, showcases centuries of architectural evolution.

The Exe Valley Railway Path is a cycle way and historical site that follows a former railway line. Operational between the late 1880s and the 1960s, this path now offers opportunities for walking and cycling through the valley, providing a glimpse into the region's past while enjoying the scenic landscape.

Shobrooke Park Lake and Stone Bridge is a historical park spanning 180 acres. It features grand lakes and sweeping vistas, offering a beautiful setting for walks. The Devonshire Heartland Way traverses its southern section, making it accessible for exploration. While the original manor house burnt down in 1945, the park's natural beauty and historical remnants remain a significant attraction.

Yes, St Swithun's Church and Holy Well is a proud, medieval church dating back to the 15th century, located on the edge of Shobrooke village. It offers wonderful views over the rolling landscape. The holy well is embedded into a grassy bank on the eastern side of the lane opposite the church, providing a unique historical and natural point of interest.

Visitors particularly enjoy Bickleigh Mill for its unique blend of history and modern amenities. It's appreciated as an 18th-century working water mill, now home to shops and eateries in a gorgeous riverside location. Many find it a lovely place to start or finish a walk, or to stop for lunch or a traditional Devon cream tea.

Yes, the area offers several dog-friendly options. The Exe Valley Railway Path is noted as a very good walk with dogs, being easy to follow. Many of the local footpaths and trails, including sections of the Exe Valley Way, are suitable for dogs, allowing you to explore the picturesque countryside with your canine companion.