Bickleigh Mill and Bridge

At Bickleigh Bridge each year the thatched cottages, Famous Bickleigh Mill and Inns on the river bank are threatened with flooding of the river Exe. This again is caused by water being taken from other places in the universe and deposited here by natural phenomena. In times past a Giant Monster sized fish appeared during flooding and used to be displayed inside a large case inside The Trout Inn. Unfortunately I was not able to find it when I revisited recently and recieved some strange looks from new staff when I asked 'where is the big stuffed trout?' So, if you happen to know where this monster went please let me know and send me a picture... it may have escaped.
The pictures here show the picturesque scenery at Bickleigh bridge where the calm waters arrive from Exmoor at the corner of the Crediton Triangle and can continue down the Exe Valley where they develop into great floods and lakes.

Bickleigh Bridge from a Balloon - 2007

COWLEY BRIDGE FREDA

The site of Cowley Bridge is often passed almost un-noticed by many folk who travel en route to Crediton via Bickleigh, or to Crediton via Exeter...
that is, except for the garden of Bernadot. Freda, a charming lady with straw hat who tends the garden there and never seems to age although she does move from time to time. Maybe her secret of youth is down to the many cups of tea she has supplied by Dot who lives here in this special corner of the Crediton Triangle. Keep your eye on Freda because she often changes her costume depending on the weather!

In the late 16th Century John Hooker of Exeter wrote of some of the fine fruit that was grown in orchards in the area and that many of them were named after very localised areas. At Cowley Bridge apples were known as the "Cowley Crab". You can read all about these in a book called Lost Devon although you will have to find the book first.

Scenery around the Crediton Triangle...

View looking up a picturesque street in Thorverton.

May 2003 Here is a picture I took of golden Oil-seed crops in the beautiful Exe Valley. One of the many wonders of the Crediton Triangle.

February 2009 - The sun set with an ancient hedge winding its way over the snowey hills.

February 2009 - Snowey sunset with trees near Crediton

In 2001 the main Exeter to London railway line at Cowley Bridge was completely washed away cutting off Devonshire from the rest of the country! Low land in the area of Stoke Cannon Village was also flooded as can be seen in this picture.

I am sure in ancient times it was a very important and more peaceful place where cows and sheep were led across the Exe valley.

Bickleigh Castle

The famous Bickleigh Castle viewed across the moat has a 14th century gatehouse and a rich history going back to Norman times. It is recorded also in the Doomsday book and was the family home of the Carew family in the 17th century.

Going Potty in the Crediton Triangle

The Crediton Triangle has had a major influence over the art world, in particular pottery, and it is just within the Bickleigh corner where Devon's biggest and best pottery festival takes place each year. You can read all about this by clicking the link below... if all goes well you should remain in the Crediton Triangle and arrive at the Bickleigh page, if not, you could end up anywhere in cyberspace! Good luck. The Bickleigh Pottery Festival 2002

Bernaville Nurseries and Gold Mining

Now most folk who come to the Crediton Triangle are here for a very good reason... Bernaville Nurseries.
If you want ANYTHING for your garden then this is the place to come to. They have a huge garden centre here with lots of nice plants and a massive gift shop with cafe and all the latest facilities. They also have a large aquatic section with tropical fish and pond fish too.

But while folk are busy digging holes in their gardens few will realise that the Romans were reputed to have been digging even larger ones on the hills nearby almost 2000 years ago! They were mining lead ore here and although little trace of the mines of that time remain a few 18th and 19th century shafts exist. Devon and Cornwall are riddled with old mine workings and as well as Lead ore, pockets of Manganese were also mined at Upton Pyne and Stoke Canon in the last few centuries.

Some of the valleys around the Crediton Triangle also contain... wait for it... GOLD! But before you all go rushing out to buy spades from Bernaville Nurseries the gold is found in tiny grains that are so small you need a scope to see them (and even then the imagination can work wonders!) However, an official commerical gold mine was opened several decades ago in the area but I am not sure if it was successful for long.

Bluebells in private woodlands in East Devon - May 2004

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