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Home Cockington Kingswear Marldon Galmpton Stoke Gabriel Contact Us AROUND & ABOUT COCKINGTON     The world famous thatched village of Cockington nestles at the bottom of a valley just one mile from Torquay's seafront. In an idyllic village setting you can: Wander around thatched cottages (most are over three hundred years old) Watch the blacksmith at work in the 14th century forge Enjoy a cream tea Stroll through the acres of gardens and woodlands Watch demonstrations of rural and craft skills Enjoy refreshments at the Edwin Lutyens designed Drum Inn Visit the Parish Church of St George and St Mary. A settlement existed here in Saxon times. The present building "Cockington Court" was completed in 1679. Alterations undertaken in 1820 reduced the grandure of the property and even removed the top floor - the aim was to reduce running costs and avoid paying excessive "Windows' Tax". A horse-drawn carriage operates from the seafront and up the sweeping drive to the "Court". From here you can tour the walled Rose Garden and the Organic Garden. There are extensive walks around the grounds, including the woodland walk during which you will stumble across the quaint "Gamekeepers Cottage" nestling amongst the trees, alongside the large walled enclosure that housed the rabbit warren.     The "Court" is now the home of the Devon Rural Skills Trust and a craft centre where the public can watch crafts being created ( ie glassware, pottery, fabrics, ironwork and hurdle fences) and wander around the retail outlets. Cockington Church is dedicated to St George and St Mary and whilst a chapel has existed here since Saxon times, the present structure dates from 1210. The church was damaged in 1943 by two German bombs (a crater can still be seen to the south of the church). There is no graveyard but 3 dogs belonging to the gamekeeper (about 1910) were buried under the large beech tree. In front of the Court is the meadow on which there is a unique, almost parabolic, cricket pitch. It is here that, in the middle of June, "The Last Night of the Proms" is held. Locals and visitors enjoy an evening of music, picnic in the meadow, and finish the evening with a spectacular firework display.   Home Accommodation Towns & City Villages Pubs Activities Attractions Beaches Events Contact Us