Hartland

Introduction The Parish of Hartland covers a large area in the north west corner of Devon. It prospered on the wool trade in the Middle Ages. Hartland village, otherwise known as Harton, is a small town of Georgian origins, with the sort of community and spirit long abandoned by most of England. From brass band to carnival, skittle team to football team, from Harvest Suppers in the village hall to Carol Services in the village Square, Hartland is what an English village was fifty years ago. The lovely village of Clovelly is just a five mile walk along the coast.   Events in Hartland Hartland Garden Show, held on the last Saturday in July is always a great day, a tradition for more than 140 years. Local gardeners always produce a fine display of flowers, fruit and vegetables; cookery, needlework and floral arrangement will play there part and, of course, the children always exhibit a fine array of craft and art. The sports program, catering for all, will last all the afternoon and Hartland Town Band adds musical enjoyment - all that it needs is a good, fine day!

The annual Summer Carnival Week is usually in the first week of August and hold many activities such as the Crowning of the Carnival Royalty, the Military Whist Drive, and the grand finale, the Grand Carnival Procession.

Music

Hartland's annual music festival, One Week in Summer, takes place in late July. Concerts are held in St Nectan's Church in Stoke and sometimes at Hartland Abbey - the Jazz concert is usually excellent! Hartland's musical groups include the Brass Band, Chamber Orchestra and Male Voice Choir. The Brass Band performs on Hartland Quay on Sunday evenings in the summer, and in the Square in Hartland after the Carnival and at Christmas. The Chamber Orchestra gives concerts in Hartland and Stoke Church.

The Male Voice Choir meets each Wednesday at 8pm in St John's, Hartland. New members are always welcome. Contact the chairman, Fred Poole, on 01237 441277 for information.

Antiques, Arts & Crafts

Hartland boasts the Darville Gallery antique shop and two potteries. Hartland Pottery, run by Clive Pearson, produces stoneware such as mugs, bowls and oven to tableware. Visitors can see the throwing of pots on the wheel, and pottery courses available. For more information contact The Forge, North Street, Hartland, Devon EX39 6DE or telephone 01237 441693. Springfield Pottery is run by Philip and Frannie Leach. They produce earthenware pottery, handmade from local clays. Visit Springfield Pottery at 88 Springfield, Hartland, Devon EX39 6BG or telephone Tel 01237 441506. See the Springfield website. Local author and professional cabinet maker David Charlesworth offers fine furniture making courses at Harton Manor, Hartland, Bideford EX39 6BL. Ring 01237 441288, email or visit the website for further information. Milthorne Chairs produce hand made Windsor chairs in beech, ash and elm. Bob Seymour, the proprietor, can be contacted at 10 Fore Street, Hartland.

Hartland Arts & Crafts Society
In 1989, a few local artists were invited to stage a small exhibition to supplement Hartland's other Carnival Week activities. The success of the show prompted the formation on the Hartland Arts & Crafts Society. The Society, with its aims of encouraging, promoting and exhibiting the talents of local artists and craftspeople, has grown in umber and diversity of media since that time. The Society holds Craft Fayres in Hartland Parish Hall in The Square, each year at Easter, in the Summer and in Autumn. The range of talent is wide and includes oil painting, water colours, pen and pencil drawing, hand and machine knitting, spinning, embroidery and other needlework, pottery, ceramics, dried flower arrangements, photography, metalwork, bellows-making and sweets. Most items on show may be purchased, and many of the exhibitors will also accept commissions.

Local Transport & Shops

Hartland's infrequent bus service runs from Northgate Green in Hartland to Bude, Bideford and Barnstaple. It is useful as a drop off or collection service for long walks along the coastal path (ie. when returning after a walk to Clovelly). Trains run from Barnstaple to Exeter. Hartland's nearest mainline station is Tiverton - a taxi can pick you up from there. Kevin Mooney runs a taxi service in Hartland. He is very reliable and helpful but please allow 24hrs advance notice. Ring 07799 468135 for details. Hartland's shops include Gifford's - bakers and general grocers, The Happy Pear - organic health foods, a Post Office, The Handy Store - hardware, and The Pop In - videos, alcohol and groceries. The shops close for an hour at lunch and Tuesday is half closing day. Shamrock Cafe serves breakfast, morning coffee, snacks, lunches and teas. It also sells home made ice cream, groceries, alcohol and even fish and chips some evenings each week! The Hart Inn in the main square is open daily and serves delicious home-cooked food and real ales.

Local Attractions

Hartland Abbey Hartland Abbey lies across a beautiful, sheltered valley by a small trout stream. The twelfth century Abbey was consecrated in AD1160 as a monastery to serve St Nectan's Church in Stoke, and was subsequently owned by Henry VIII. Today, the gardens comprise rare plants, summer perennials, shrubs and vegetables and the woodland walk to the beach is beautiful. For information write to Hartland Abbey, Hartland, Bideford, Devon EX39 6DT, telephone 01237 441264 / 234, fax 01884 861134 or visit the official website.

Hartland Forest Golf & Leisure Park
An 18-hole golf course, suitable for beginners, no handicap requirements. Bar meals available. For further information telephone 01237 431442 or fax 01237 431734.

Docton Mill & Gardens
Docton Mill & Gardens - mentioned in the Doomsday Book - is a restored historic mill and waterway, set in a garden created in a secluded valley, less than a mile from the sea. There are eight acres of natural woodland, lawns and streams. The cream teas are fantastic and the gardens are easy to walk around.

Shipload Bay
Shipload Bay is the only guaranteed sandy beach between Westward Ho! and Welcombe. The cove here comprises a lovely smooth expanse of sand, revealed only at low tide.

Blackpool Mill Blackpool Mill Cottage is situated beside a small stream in a remote cove on the Atlantic coast. It is approached by a private drive through the grounds of Hartland Abbey. The beach is a mixture of pebbles, rocky reefs and sandy gullies, with further sand appearing at low tide. Swimming, surfing and prawning in the rock pools are all possible at low tide. Hartland Quay is situated in the next bay to the south with its own shop, restaurant and bar. Hartland village is two miles inland and Bideford is sixteen miles away. The Abbey Stream which runs past the cottage to the sea holds a plentiful supply of trout and fishing can be arranged as an extra if required. For booking information, write to Affeton Castle, Worlington, Crediton, Devon EX17 4TU or ring Tiverton 860225.

The Hartland Times is published bimonthly by Jamaica Press, 37 Fore Street, Hartland. Tel. 01237 441411 or email Subscription Rates: For the UK: 11.50 (inc. 3.20 P&P). Contact Barbara Manley on 01237 441481

Page last updated: 02 August 2004