Far away from the every day...
Discover What Makes Northlew & Ashbury So Special
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of West Devon, with far-reaching views to Dartmoor, Northlew is a historic village built around its ancient square. With a Grade I listed church, a traditional country pub, a lively Victory Hall and a calendar of village events, Northlew & Ashbury combine rural peace with a strong and welcoming community spirit.
Read on to explore the unique character that makes Northlew & Ashbury truly special.
A Village That Almost Became a Town
Northlew sits in the heart of rural West Devon, around seven miles north-west of Okehampton, with the hamlets of East and West Kimber also lying within the parish. John Betjeman memorably described it as “a village which almost became a town”, and it is easy to see why. The village is built around a large open square, a layout that points to Saxon origins, and is lined with traditional rural buildings, some of them thatched.
Away from the main roads, Northlew remains a peaceful, unspoilt place. The quiet lanes that wind out of the village reward walkers and cyclists with superb views across open farmland to the tors of Dartmoor.
History & Heritage
Northlew takes its name from the ancient manor of Lew, recorded in the Domesday Book, and the parish was historically part of the Black Torrington Hundred. Traces of the shops and trades that once made the village a busy local centre can still be seen around the square, and a railway line once linked the outlying farms and hamlets to the wider world.
The village is also home to one of Devon’s more curious sayings – that Northlew is where “the Devil died of cold”. Local legend says the creature in question, variously described as a cockerel or a stag, lies buried beneath the market cross in the square.
More recent village history includes the red K6 telephone kiosk in the square. When BT proposed to decommission it in 2009, villagers took it over and brought it back into use.
Remembering Northlew & Ashbury's Fallen
Northlew paid a heavy price in the First World War. Of around 100 men from the parish who enlisted, 24 did not return – believed to be one of the highest proportions of any community in Great Britain. Their sacrifice is remembered on the stone memorial in the churchyard, and in Northlew Victory Hall, opened in 1921 in their memory.
On 28 June 2014, a hundred years after the war began, the village came together for a commemorative event in the square, which was recorded and shared online. A Poppy Avenue running from Okehampton to Broadbury via Northlew, and a Canadian oak planted in the village park, also honour those who were lost.
Churches & Faith
The Grade I listed Church of St Thomas of Canterbury has stood at the heart of the village for centuries – there has probably been a church on the site since the 11th century. Its tower dates from the Norman period, while much of the building was rebuilt in the 15th century. Inside are beautifully carved 16th-century bench ends, one dated 1537, and a medieval rood screen restored in the 1920s. Historic England describes it as “a more than usually complete medieval church”.
The village is also served by Northlew’s Hebron Methodist Chapel, originally a Bible Christian chapel. Both churches hold regular services and activities, often involving children from the local school, and both have rooms used for village events.
Northlew & Ashbury Primary School
Just off the square is Northlew & Ashbury Parochial Church of England Primary School, a small, inclusive village school with the motto “Let your light shine” (Matthew 5:16). The school works in close partnership with families to nurture every child’s ambition, and looks for new and creative ways to engage children in their learning.
Younger children can start at Northlew Preschool, which is based within the school and offers places for 3–4 year olds from 8.45am to 3.30pm each weekday during term time, with indoor and outdoor learning in the school grounds and the local area. Funded 15 and 30 hour places can be used there.
The school is part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust and shares leadership with Exbourne and Bridestowe primary schools as part of the Moorland Hub. As a Church of England school it has strong links with the parish church, and pupils play an active part in village life, from church services to community events such as Bonfire Night.
Victory Hall & Community Life
Extensively refurbished in 2014 with local money, time and effort alongside external funding, Northlew Victory Hall is the hub of village life. It hosts clubs and groups, the annual Craft and Produce Show, the carnival, performances by the Northlew Amateur Dramatic Society (NADS) and community meetings, and is available for private hire.
For a small parish, Northlew has a remarkable range of clubs and societies, including a walking group, badminton, Knit and Knatter, Mother and Toddler, snooker, the Women’s Guild and yoga. Northlew is also one of very few villages still to have its own Silver Band, which plays at the village Christmas tree and the bonfire night carnival procession.
Produce, Post Office & Pub
While a main shop will always mean a trip to Okehampton or a home delivery service, there are several useful outlets for local purchases.
Higher Odham Milk, eggs, butter and clotted cream are all available from a refrigerated box stall in the village square. Further seasonal produce and eggs can be found in an honesty box at the entrance to Lower Crowden farm.
Angi's Ambients, a small pop-up shop with basic supplies runs during Post Office hours in the Church Room and on Saturday mornings 10 -12 am in the Methodist Church hall.
The first Saturday of the month also sees Northlew Market with a wide range of farm produce, cakes, crafts and more, plus breakfast, in the Methodist Church hall, 10 - 12 am.
Post Office services are available from the Church Room, Monday and Friday mornings, 09 - 12 am.
Just off the square is The Green Dragon, a quintessential English country pub.
Playing Field, Fun Day & Air Ambulance
The village playing field was kindly donated to the community by Mr Percy Adams, as recorded on the memorial stone beside the play park. Today it is home to a children’s playground and picnic shelter, and hosts many community activities throughout the year. A Parish Council working party checks and maintains the play equipment, and new volunteers are always welcome – contact the Parish Clerk to get involved.
Each spring, usually on the last Saturday in April, the Village Fun Day takes place on the playing fields, raising money for local charities and community projects. Thanks to a village fundraising effort, lighting was installed on the playing fields in 2018 so that the Devon Air Ambulance can land safely at night in a medical emergency.
Walks, Trails & the Pegasus Trail
The quiet lanes, public footpaths and bridleways around Northlew and Ashbury make the parish a wonderful place to explore on foot, with far-reaching views across rolling farmland to Dartmoor. Our Local Walks & Public Rights of Way page has details of routes around the village, and the Northlew walking group organises regular walks, including nature walks, through the year.
Passing through Ashbury, the Pegasus Trail is a waymarked 15-mile (25km) route for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Mostly following quiet lanes, public bridleways, a disused railway line and forest tracks, it runs from Meldon on the edge of Dartmoor towards Cookworthy Forest, and will eventually link the Granite Way with the Ruby Way. On a clear day, Ashbury Ridge offers views to Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor. Sections between Meldon and Broadbury Castle Farm, and between Beamsworthy and Cookworthy Forest, are currently open, with parking at Meldon Reservoir and Cookworthy Forest.
A Small Village With a Big Heart
Northlew may be scattered across a large rural parish, but its community is strong, friendly and supportive. With its primary school, churches, shop, Post Office, pub, Victory Hall and calendar of events, it remains a largely self-contained village where people look out for one another – and a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
Education & Community
Northlew & Ashbury Primary School
Northlew and Ashbury Parochial Church of England Primary School is a small, friendly rural school serving children aged 2–11 from Northlew and the surrounding area. Part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, it offers a nurturing, family-like environment in which every child is known as an individual.
The school has close links with the village and its churches, with pupils regularly taking part in services, events and activities throughout the year.
Northlew Victory Hall
Opened in 1921 in memory of the men of the parish lost in the First World War, and extensively refurbished in 2014, Victory Hall is at the heart of village life.
It is home to many of Northlew’s clubs and groups, hosts the annual Craft and Produce Show, the carnival and NADS productions, and is available for private hire.
By the numbers
306
Households (2011 Census)
A mix of village homes, cottages and farmhouses across the parish.
762
Residents (2011 Census)
A friendly community of families, retired residents and working households.
8
Square Miles in Size
Rolling farmland, woodland and quiet country lanes with views to Dartmoor.