| North Bovey | |
|---|---|
 The village green at North Bovey showing thatched cottages and the stone cross | |
  North Bovey Location withinDevon | |
| Population | 274 (2001 census) |
| OS grid reference | SX739839 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| 50°38′N3°47′W / 50.633°N 3.783°W /50.633; -3.783 | |
North Bovey is a village andcivil parish situated on the south-eastern side ofDartmoor National Park,Teignbridge,Devon, England, about 11 miles WSW of the city ofExeter and 1.5 miles SSW ofMoretonhampstead. The village lies above the eastern bank of theRiver Bovey from which it takes its name.[1] In 2001 the population of the parish was 274,[1] compared to 418 in 1901 and 519 in 1801.[2]
The parish church is built of granite and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It dates from the 13th century,[1] and wasrestored early in the 20th century by Sir Charles Nicholson.[3] It is one of the several churches around Dartmoor that has a representation of thetinners rabbits on one of itsroof bosses.[4]
On the village green is an ancient stone cross which was thrown down during the Civil War and spent some time afterwards as a bridge over a local stream. In 1829 it was retrieved and installed into a socket-stone which had remained in situ on the village green, though it is not considered likely that it is the original cross that was mounted here as it appears to be older than the base.[5]
The parish encompasses part of the eastern side of Dartmoor, an area rich inBronze Age remains such asGrimspound, right on its boundary. The medievalBennett's Cross, on the road between Moretonhampstead andTwo Bridges is one of the markers of the parish boundary, and theBirch Tor and Vitifer tin mining area is nearby. In the north of the parish, the small settlements of Beeson and Shapley were mentioned in theDomesday Book.[1] There are several preservedDartmoor longhouses in the parish, notably at Lettaford and Westcombe.[3]
Also within the parish isBovey Castle, designed byDetmar Blow and built in 1905–7 forViscount Hambledon, son ofW. H. Smith, the newsagent.[1] It is now a grade II*listed building and a hotel with an 18-hole championship golf course.
The Rev. William Henry Thornton was rector of North Bovey for fifty years. He was the author ofReminiscences and Reflections of an Old West-country Clergyman; Torquay, 1897 & 1899.[6]
