Burlescombe

Welcome to Burlescombe:

Burlescombe Parish stretches from Fenacre in the north to Leonard Moor Cross in the south, and from Maidendown in the east to Holbrook in the west. It encompasses the communities of Burlescombe, Westleigh, Canonsleigh, Westcott, Waterloo Cross, Junction 27 of the M5, Tiverton Parkway, Appledore, Southdown and Ayshford. With several locations recorded in the Domesday Book, the parish has deep historic roots. The 11th‑century gatehouse of Canonsleigh Abbey, once a wealthy religious institution until its dissolution in 1539, still stands as a striking reminder of the area’s medieval past.

The manor house at Ayshford, alongside its chapel of ease, was long the seat of the Ayshford family, who owned much of the parish until 1939. Their influence can be seen at St Mary’s Church, established by 1324 and notable for its Elizabethan and Jacobean memorials. The family also played a key role in establishing Burlescombe School, opened in 1859—over a decade before village schools became widespread under the Education Act of 1870.

Local Experiences:

Burlescombe combines a peaceful rural landscape with surprising industrial heritage. The limestone quarry at Westleigh has been active since medieval times and remains operational today, shaping much of the parish’s economic history. The route of Brunel’s Great Western Railway still runs through the parish, now served by nearby Tiverton Parkway. A section of land purchased by the Parish Council, following the line of the former narrow‑gauge quarry railway, has been transformed into a scenic walking route known as the Old Railway Line.

Visitors can enjoy exploring St Mary’s Church, with its ancient rood‑screen and striking memorials, or take a relaxing visit to Waterloo Cross, a nearby traditional pub serving meals and offering comfortable accommodation. For those who love the outdoors, the surrounding countryside provides rewarding walks, including routes along the Grand Western Canal, which is ideal for families thanks to its mainly flat and accessible towpath.

History & Places of Interest:

• Medieval Industry: Westleigh’s limestone quarry has been worked continuously since the Middle Ages and remains active today.
• Brunel’s Railway: Built in the 1840s, the Great Western Railway once included a station at Burlescombe; today Tiverton Parkway serves the parish along the same corridor.
• Old Railway Line Walk: The Parish Council purchased land along the former narrow‑gauge quarry railway, now enjoyed as a scenic walking route.

Events:

Burlescombe hosts a Monthly Market around the last Saturday of every month at Westleigh Community Hall. Visitors can browse fresh local produce, plants, handmade crafts, and enjoy refreshments from the community café—a great way to shop locally and meet the parish community.

Acknowledgement: Image courtesy of Lewis Clarke / Burlescombe : Churchyard & Village Road / CC BY-SA 2.0

Many thanks to Burlescombe Parish Council for providing information for this site.