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Cullompton Town
The historic market town of Cullompton is situated on the river Culm. The town still has working textile and paper mills in the area. Cullompton's textile industry dates back to the late 1700s.
The town has narrow road, but widens near an area called the Bull Ring. This is where Markets are frequently held.
Here you will also find the Cullompton's War Memorial, which you can see a image in our photo page, under Historic.
Cullompton is commonly called "Cully" by locals. Hence our web site name, Cully Online.
Because of fast flowing rivers in the valley, Cullompton became a centre for the woolen industry. The Mill Leat in town was a man made diversion of the river used to power the growing number of mills.
There are working textile and paper mills in the Cullompton area.
One of the main tourist attractions near Cullompton is Cold harbour Mill which is great for a day out particularly on those special days when the old boilers are stoked and the steam powered machines are operational.
Castles
Castles - Tiverton, Bickleigh and Hemyock Castles are all open to the public and the exhibits on display illustrate today's links with Mid Devon's colourful past. connections - such as Fursdon near Bickleigh.
Bickleigh Castle
About three miles outside of Tiverton is one of the prettiest little villages in Devon, and a very popular tourist destination for its' olde worlde' charm.
Passing through Bickleigh and following the banks of the River Exe eventually leads to a sturdy, stone gatehouse structure, all that remains of the 14th century castle of the Courtnays.
During this period, the Courtnays were important landowners in the county, and were created Earls of Devon, with several other castles to their name.
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Bickleigh Castle's origins probably date to Norman times, when the quaint thatched Catholic chapel opposite the gatehouse formed part of the early complex. Considered to be the oldest complete building in Devon, the chapel dates from 1090 and gives a strong sense of time having stood still as it sits alone peacefully in a walled enclosure. When the Courtnays came to Bickleigh it would have been more accurately described as a fortified and moated manor house rather than a castle.
Throughout the Civil War, Sir Henry Carew occupied the castle as a Royalist stronghold but it was captured by Cromwell's troops and later demolished, leaving only the gatehouse for living quarters. As there appears to be limited documentation on Bickleigh's history, it is thought that the farmhouse range was added following the castle's destruction, and the moat subsequently transformed into the ponds now present.
A tour of the castle reveals a distinct Cromwellian theme, with a good collection of armour, and breastplates worn by the Roundheads, displayed on the ground floor of the tower, and an interesting example of an old 'loo' off the great hall. These give a fairly accurate indication of just how small the average 17th century man was. In another room is a painting of an Abbess, sadly defaced with pistol holes alleged to have been made by the victorious parliamentary soldiers as a gesture of their loyalty to the Protestant faith.
The original oak staircase of the castle, dated to circa 1350, is a magnificent example of the robust craftsmanship of the time. Beams and wooden columns feature prominently throughout the house and many of these are thought to have come from a broken Man of War (warship).
This ties in neatly with Bickleigh's important sea connections. Sir George Carew, a member of the family occupying the castle during the 16th century, was the Vice-Admiral of Henry VIII's flagship 'Mary Rose', and he was one of the 600 men who drowned when she unexpectedly sunk to the bottom of the Solent in 1545 whilst preparing for battle. Many of the Carew male descendants had maritime connections, and interesting paintings and nautical objects are on show.
As this remains a home as opposed to a museum, visitors are shown the main areas of interest by guided tour only. Unfortunately, access to the 'spooky' tower was not permitted and its mysterious secrets remain hidden until another time. Reference from www.theheritagetrail.co.uk |
Hemyock Castle
The castle plan is typical of small late medieval castles: a rectangular site with high round corner towers and central interval towers, connected by a high curtain wall; all topped with crenellations. Most buildings were of chert, a local flint stone. The exterior was rendered and painted white.
The castle was in use from 1380 until the 1660s. According to local tradition, Hemyock Castle was slighted — ie. partly demolished — soon after the restoration of King Charles II, because during the civil war, it had been held for Parliament against King Charles I.
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Today, substantial fragments remain of the massive gate house, several towers, walls, and part of the moat. The manor house is a private house
Reference from www.hemyockcastle.co.uk |
Museum - Cold harbour
Cold harbour Mill Working Wool Museum is part of the Culm Valley history. The working museum is situated between the river Culm and the pretty village of Uffculme. This was described by the Daily Telegraph as"A most evocative waterside complex, a rare treasure"
A group of voluntary enthusiasts have converted a crumbling mill into a historical example of Cullompton's living history.
History of Cold harbour Mill can be found in our History Page.
Visitors can see on-site demonstrations of old Victorian spinning, carding and weaving machines still producing knitting wool and the Devon tartan. Regularly scheduled special events, garden walks, restaurant and mill shop also featured.
Contact details are:
The Director
Cold harbour Mill
Uffculme
Cullompton
Devon
EX15 3EE
Tel: 01884 840960
Registered Charity No: 284294
Opening Times
April to October - 10:30am to 5pm daily, last tour at 4pm
Longitude and Latitude - Grid Reference
Lat: 50° 51' 28"N | (50.8579)
Long: 3° 23' 32"W | (-3.3923)
Directions
Directions to Cullompton can be found here.
Map of cullompton including high street map is shown below, click to enlarge
Shops and Services
Cullompton has a range of shops and services. Including:
- Post Office
- Lloyds bank, HSBC Banks, Barclays Bank
- Somerfields supermarket
- Butchers
- Bakeries
- Hairdressers
- Newsagents
- Several pubs
- Opticians
- Mac Donald's
- Local Fast food stores
- Fish and Chip shops
- Launderette
- Sports Centre
Cullompton has a population of approximately 10,270 which are age 15+
Clubs (Dance Music)
There are no clubs in Cullompton, so your need to get a taxi to either Exeter or Taunton.
There are several pubs in Cullompton and the King's Head does have an over 18's disco on Fridays
Cinemas
None. Tivoli Cinema at Tiverton is the closest.
If you can travel a little further, you can visit Taunton or Exeter Odeon, which have more screen, and gives you more choices.
Skating
Cullompton had a vertical ramp installed a couple of years ago, and is used by a keen group of young boarders and bladers.
Sports Centre
The Highly recommended Culm Valley Sports Centre is on the edge of Cullompton. A well equipped sport centre and many facilities on offer.
Quad Bikes
A quad bike circuit can be found South of Cullompton, details to be up dated.
Local Newspapers
Please visit this page for a list of Local newspapers including contact details.
Local Businesses
Accommodation |
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StaySelect.co.uk |
Local listing of Hotels, Guest Houses and Cottages, Cottages, Camping within the Cullompton area |
Entertainment |
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Tivoli
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Cinema Tiverton |
Tiverton Swimming |
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Activities |
Events, Things To Do! |
Mid Devon District Council
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Events |
Cullompton Leisure |
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Quad World |
Off road fun |
Travel and Transport |
Air, Train, Road, Maps |
Cullompton Map |
Multi-Map of Cully |
The Train Line |
Online Rail tickets (Recommended) |
The Automobile Association |
Routes, traffic, travel and motoring information |
Green Flag |
Motoring Organisation. Route Planner. |
UK Public Transport Information |
The official directory for UK public transport on the Internet |
RAC |
Motoring holidays, journey planner, route planning |
Community and Education
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Medical, Religion, Schools, Colleges |
East Devon College |
Providers of quality education and training in Devon |
Culm Valley Community Education |
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St Andrew's Church |
Anglican Church in Cullompton
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Blackdown Hills |
A partnership of local communities, local authorities and interest groups |
Attractions |
Places of Interest, Places to See, History |
Genuki
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Cullompton past and present, history, genealogy |
Devon Attractions |
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Information |
Guides, Tourists Centres |
Information |
Information on Cullompton |
Shopping |
Shops, Guides, Books |
See Cully Online Business Info section |
See Cully Online Business Info section |
Sports |
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Pad Brook Park |
Located in the heart of the Culm Valley at the southern end of Cullompton, Padbrook Park is a sporting and recreational centre for the whole family |
Local
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Property, Councils, Media |
Mid Devon |
Mid Devon District Council |
Property |
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Thorne and Carter
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Independent property specialists |
Bradleys Estate Agents |
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Fish 4 It |
Web Based Company |
Home Web site |
Cullompton, Tiverton & Villages of Mid Devon |
Estate Agents Cullompton |
Search our database to find estate agents in cullompton |
Estate Agents UK |
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Lime Search |
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All Estate Agents in Cully |
Estate Agents in Cullompton |
This house is for sale |
Cullompton Estate Agents |
Cullompton Estate Agents |
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