Churchstow
Churchstow is a small village 2 miles north west of Kingsbridge, South Devon, which has existed since before the Norman conquest of 1066. The name derives from the church which was built on the top of a high ridge, the place thereafter being known as ‘church-stow.’ (‘Stow’ means a ‘holy place’ in old English). The Church, St. Mary, has a lofty tower and four bells. It is an ancient structure, in the ‘perpendicular’ style. The present structure is of late 14th century origin, built entirely of local slate, with a fine buttressed tower of the South Hams type. The southern aisle is early 16th century and the font is Norman. It was restored, cleansed, and beautified in 1849, at the cost of about £900…
Churchstow is not large. In 1641 there were 67 adult males from Churchstow who signed the Protestation Returns. According to census returns, the population of Churchstow parish was 219 in 1801 and 311 in 1901.
There is a 16th century inn, The Church House Inn, in the village. This is a fine historic Inn which began life as the centre of village life, being the original parish hall, ale house for the legal consumption of ale brewed by the churchwardens and a place to hold religious feasts. It belonged to Buckfast Abbey. There is an earlier building, Leigh, still substantially 15th century. Combe Royal is a Tudor house, much rebuilt, and like these other old buildings, recorded in the famous Domesday book. Oranges and lemons were said to ripen in its gardens. The suffix ‘Royal’ is derived from one William Royel, an early medieval owner.
A major activity in the Churchstow area is, as it has always been, dairy farming, while the Village Stores and Post Office supply the necessities of modern life. There is also a thriving Business Park. Luscombe Maye are well-known in the area, having been the local land and estate agent for over 100 years.