Ottery St Mary
Ottery St Mary is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Devon. The town itself is dominated by the famous medieval church, which dates back to the early 13th century. It was later enlarged by Bishop John de Grandisson, who modelled it closely on Exeter Cathedral in 1340. It also contains an astronomical clock of the same period, still in working order.
Among the town's literary claims to fame is the fact that Samuel Taylor Coleridge, was born here in 1772, while William Makepeace Thackery affectionately included it in his autobiographical 'Oebdebbus'.
More recently, Ottery St Mary has featured in the Harry Potter books as 'Ottery St Cathpole'.
We are about 12 miles from Exeter City, and 6 miles from Sidmouth, The Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site. A great area for walking, also along the river.
Pixie Day in June is a great family day, when the pixies kidnap the bellringers from the church. We also are now famous for our painted windows, on the shop windows all through the year
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Recommended Books:
Old English Villages (Country S.) |
English Villages (Writer's Britain S.) | Illustrated Guide to Country Towns and... | Domesday Heritage: Towns and Villages of... |
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