Brendon

Brendon is a delightful little village scattered along the East Lyn valley. St Brendan’s church, overlooking the valley, was rebuilt in 1738 and further restored in the nineteenth century. There is a Norman font and, over the porch, a pretty sundial dated 1707. A path from Brendon will take you to Lynmouth via Watersmeet, or you can explore further into Brendon Common. Brendon Church at 700ft, which is some distance from the village of Brendon itself. The church was built and restored in the 18th and 19th centuries and has a Norman font. It was moved literally stone by stone from Cheriton.

Brendon, an unspoilt Exmoor village steeped in history, nestles in the peaceful East Lyn river valley. Open moorland spreads from the valley rising to the dramatic coastline of North Devon.

Looking down the Rover Oare valley towards Brendon

The Brendon Valley, is a beautiful valley in North Devon which twists and turns along the East Lyn River. The area boasts stunning examples of exmoor wildlife and plants, as well as the most breath taking scenery.

Typical Doone Country, the little church at Oare was the setting of Lorna Doones shooting in R.D. Blackmore's famous novel of the same name. Brendon is an unspoilt small village which is a popular spot with anglers and walkers. Steeped in history it nestles in the peaceful and beautiful river valley of the East Lyn. Open moorland spreads from the valley halting abruptly at the dramatic coast as cliffs fall to the wild Atlantic..

The delightful valley of the East Lyn river contains a church dedicated to St Brendan the voyager and is two miles and a climb of 350 feet from the village.

Brendon Bridge - image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism, Somerset County Council

The diversity of Exmoor is endless and shows in its ancient farmsteads, historic buildings, old churches, and tiny villages such as Brendon, a showpiece village of thatched cottages set on the banks of the River Lyn.

Brendon: Little village (pub, church) in the deep steep valley of the East Lyn River (salmon/trout fishing). This extraordinarily beautiful part of Exmoor was the land of Blackmore's legendary Doones, and the cottage described below is a 2 mile walk from their hidden-valley stronghold. Glorious woodland/river walks nearby. Riding stables/pony trekking locally. The sea at Lynmouth, 4 miles.Woolacombe's great sand/surf beaches, about 23 miles.

Brendon Bridge

Above is the medieval bridge that spans the river. The lovely old church of St. Brendon has amongst Brenon's treasures containing, not one, but two fine examples of a Norman font.

Looking toward Brendon

Clsoe to Brendon is the magnificent coast. There is not much to beat the splendour of the spectacular scenery around Combe Martin where Little Hangman rises over 700ft above the sea, only to be over shadowed by The Great Hangman which rises to a height of over 1,000ft and gives stunning views in all directions. In the far distance, froth tinged waves take on a golden glow from the rays of a swiftly setting sun. In the spring the wide sloping curve of woodland sweeping upwards from Countisbury Bay becomes a riot of colour as wild rhododendrons burst into bloom, rivalling the exquisite views across the Bristol Channel to the coast of Wales. A great peace descends upon this special place, broken only by the shrill of the gulls and the gentle lap of the waves below.

Brendon Common

Morris Dancing and Mumming at Brendon

See also:

www.brendonvalley.co.uk

Contributed by: Mike Townsend