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The Village
Updated 28/11/08
Sampford Courtenay is situated close to the northern edge of Dartmoor. It is famous for the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 and for being a consistent winner of the 'Britain in Bloom' competition.

Sampford Courtenay took its name 'Sampford' from the sandy ford (now replaced by a road bridge) next to the New Inn. The name 'Courtenay' was added by the Lords of the Manor, the Courtenay family who also owned Okehampton Castle. Today King's College Cambridge are Lords of the Manor.

Many of the local houses are thatched and most are made of cob, which is created by mixing well-sieved mud with straw.
The local tradition was to limewash the outside of the cottages at Whitsun time. This serves to preserve the cob and, unlike cement, it does not crack.
Sampford Courtenay from a painting by Kaye Hodge
There are five mediaeval stone crosses, marking each of the roads out into the village.
A thatched cob house near the square
Grouped around the square, in the centre of the village, are Saint Andrew's Parish Church, the Church Rooms, the Methodist Chapel, a Post Office, an Estate Agents and numerous interesting houses.
One of the mediaeval stone crosses
Saint Andrew's Church and the Church Rooms.
A view from the square, looking down towards the main road.
www.sampfordcourtenay.org.uk