News 2nd December 2025

Hidden Histories of the Culm Valley

The Culm Valley has more than meets the eye, from wool‑rich merchants’ houses and old mills to churches with unusual quirks, disused railway lines and even a tree growing from a church tower. Whether you know the area or are visiting for the first time, it’s worth keeping your eyes open: there are stories hanging around every corner.

Cullompton – A Market Town with Layers

Once a thriving centre of the wool and cloth trade, Cullompton still bears the marks of its prosperous past. Look up as you wander the older streets, many of the fine merchants’ houses stand as hints of wealth from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The town parish church of St Andrew’s Church, Cullompton is a gem worth a closer look. Its fine wagon roof and historic rood‑screen reflect the skill and devotion of centuries past, many visitors miss the detail if they don’t step inside.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Cullompton was a hotbed of religious nonconformity. Early dissenting congregations met, sometimes in secret, reflecting a turbulent time of faith, politics and change. It’s a quiet legacy, easy to walk past, but integral to the town’s character.
For a less‑noticeable walk steeped in history, try the old leat walk: a gentle path tracing the historic watercourse that once powered local mills. It’s a peaceful reminder of how central water and industry were to town life.

Coldharbour Mill & Industrial Echoes

Coldharbour Mill

Not far from Cullompton lies Coldharbour Mill in Uffculme, one of the oldest working woollen mills in the country. Once part of a bustling industry in the region, owned by the Fox Brothers, today it stands preserved, its machinery firing into life on Steam Days, telling a story of ingenuity, industry and community in rural Devon.
Visiting Coldharbour offers more than just a glimpse into textile production: it’s a chance to imagine the lives of workers (many women and children) who powered the looms and helped shape the local economy.

Countryside, Castles and Curious Towers

Near the valley sits Hemyock Castle — now mostly private property but with visible ruins of a once‑mighty fortified medieval castle. Garrisoned during the Civil War and later falling into ruin, its history whispers of conflict, legacy, and changing fortunes. Even from outside you sense the weight of time. Look out for open days to explore the site.
Over in Culmstock, there’s a small but striking oddity: a mature yew tree growing out of the tower of Culmstock Church. Local legend says soil washed in over decades allowed a seed to take root, although it is also possible it was planted deliberately at topping out ceremony. Either way, it’s a sight that demands a photo and a moment’s wonder.
For sweeping views and a sense of solitude, a walk up to the Elizabethan Culmstock Beacon, once part of a national warning system, rewards you with far‑reaching landscapes. It’s easy to imagine why beacons were once lit here — and why even now, standing at the top, you feel you’re on the edge of history and sky.

Culmstock Beacon

Digging Deeper – Heritage, Memory and Rediscovery

Culm Valley’s hidden histories aren’t always flashy or tourist‑ready. Many are found in brickwork, in the bends of old roads, behind church walls, or along silent woodland paths. For the curious, it’s a region that rewards slow walking, open eyes and a little imagination.

Whether you’re rediscovering old family roots, planning a quiet outing, or simply exploring with fresh eyes, keep a lookout for:

Old mills, water‑coursed leats and mills’ remains;
Weathered churches and the stories they hold;
Forgotten castles and village ruins;
Trees where you least expect them, growing stubbornly through stone;
Historic cottages, old trades, and the marks left by ancestral livelihoods.

The Culm Valley doesn’t shout, but if you listen, it tells tales.

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