St Mary the Virgin in Walkhampton, Dartmoor
Facilities at this church
Toilet
Flushing toilet inside church
Kitchen
Kettle, Fridge
Electricity
In and around Walkhampton
St Mary’s Walkhampton lies half-a-mile north of Walkhampton village on a lofty elevation (700 feet) bordering mysterious and romantic Dartmoor. Occupying an ancient site, it was built long before the village began in the river valley below; hence the unusual distance. Another curious feature is that it faces north-east, the point of sunrise on the longest day, rather than due east. This alignment also points exactly to Gipsy Rock, possibly the meeting place of the Saxon Walkhampton Hundred. Design? Coincidence? A builder‘s error? You decide.
For more information on the church click here.
Rambling and roaming
Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City – Come rain or shine you’ll find something for everyone among the city streets, surrounding countryside and marine environment beyond. There are well-known landmarks, historical sites and natural assets to explore across Plymouth’s many unique areas and districts. Click here for more information.
Buckland Abbey (National Trust) – the Home of Sir Francis – At Buckland, follow over 700 years of footsteps; from the Cistercians who built the Abbey to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country. The Abbey is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures such as the legendary Drake’s Drum. Discover meadows, orchards and woodlands where you can enjoy far-reaching views of the Tavy Valley.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
*Bedding not available as an add on, please bring your own
*Up to two well-behaved dogs welcome, we just ask that you pick up after your furry friends, and take care to leave the church as you found it!
*Fully accessible flushing loo- fancy!
Reviews for Walkhampton
Leave a reviewSince the dawn of (Champing™) time we have hosted thousands of happy champers in our hallowed havens.
Their enthusiastic messages are left in visitor books up and down the land. Here are some submitted via the website.
Looking forward to coming back
We (two adults, two children) stayed at St Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton, Devon for an overnight and it was a fantastic experience! The setting was quiet and beautifully located near the moors, with Tavistock only 20 mins away (be prepared for Devon lanes, though!) The church was made up for our arrival with beds and tea/coffee making facilities, and we were grateful for the big pile of shortbread too! We had some magical games of hide and seek and enjoyed exploring and relaxing. Looking forward to coming back!
Lynda Cooper
Can't wait for my next Champing Adventure
Got a train to Newton Abbot then cycled a few miles and joined the CCT South Devon cycle route to Stoke Bay. As a lifelong cyclist I can’t recommend this route highly enough. It has a bit of everything and the 4 CCT churches en-route were wonderful to visit. It is challenging so really can’t be rushed.
I then cycled up to Walkhampton church for my accommodation. This is the 4th church I’ve Champed at and each one is different and has its own character. St. Mary the Virgin church is on a hill overlooking the village of Walkhampton. Its very peaceful, relaxing and surrounded by superb scenery.
The facilities are superb and included a comfy mattress, sheet & quilt. Full lighting, inside WC, kitchen area with fridge (thanks for the milk), tap water from nearby Dartmoor and even a cafetiere. It is lovely and warm inside. Such a peaceful place and another wonderful Champing experience. Sad to leave. Can’t wait for my next Champing Adventure.
Andy
Absolutely great environment
Fabulous, we loved the whole stay. Well organised, great beds, absolutely great environment. Thanks.
Sarah and Cameron
A truly special and almost magical experience
To put it simply: we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Although the facilities are quite basic, everything that was essential for a comfortable stay was clean, well-maintained, and fully functional. The camp bed provided us with an unexpectedly restful night’s sleep — we were both surprised at how comfortable it was.
One of the most memorable aspects of our stay was the absolute peace and quiet. The stillness of the surroundings, combined with the unique and atmospheric setting of the church, created a truly special and almost magical experience. The ambiance inside the church, with its historic charm and spiritual presence, was just as captivating as the tranquil outdoor environment.
We genuinely believe that this is a wonderful concept — a rare opportunity to spend the night in such an extraordinary and meaningful place. We are grateful to you for making this possible and appreciate the thoughtful way the space has been prepared for guests.
We would gladly return in the future and will certainly recommend this experience to others who are looking for something out of the ordinary and deeply memorable.
Anke and Christian
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