Bishopsteignton

Bishopsteignton in 2006.

Bishopsteignton (IPA: [ˈbɪʃʊpˌsteɪntən]) is a village located in South Devon, England. Situated between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth, close to the River Teign Estuary, it is about two miles from the nearest beach. The village is on a steep hill, with a small pharmacy and post office on the high street about half way up. Just beyond the post office is a small, family-run supermarket. The village has three churches - one gospel hall (Plymouth Brethren), one Methodist and one Anglican - St John The Baptist, which boasts an excellent Norman doorway which survived Victorian restoration. Among the tombstones are some who were victims of plague, and there are the remains of a 14th century chapel built by John Grandison (1327-69), Bishop of Exeter.

The village has three pubs: The Ring of Bells, The Cockhaven Manor and the Bishop John De Grandisson, named after the Bishop.

The village school is over-subscribed and currently has about 150 pupils.

There is a small beach on the estuary, (known locally as The River Beach or Red Rock), where a few boats are moored - cross the main Teignmouth to Newton Abbot road at the end of Cockhaven Road, follow the footpath opposite over a wooden bridge across the railway, and go down some steep steps - Luxton Steps - to find it. This ancient footpath leads to the point where villagers could ford the river at low tide to reach Coombe Cellars.

Bishopsteignton is also home to its own vineyard near Old Walls and the Red Rock Brewery.

Half a mile away, overlooking the town, is the Bishop's Palace, now a ruin (hence the local name of the old walls), that was built in the 13th century by Walter de Bronescombe, and expanded later by Grandison.

External links

• Bishopsteignton Museum of Village Life
• Red Rock Brewery

Coordinates: 50°33′N, 3°32′W

Donate to Wikimedia