Pictures of Cockington

About Cockington

This idyllic thatched village perfectly reflects the harmony and glory of a by-gone age, for here you can walk in ancient parkland, or take a romantic drive around Cockington in a sedate horse-drawn carriage.

This celebrated village is an old place, it was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and is seemingly little changed since Tudor and medieval times. Sweet little stone cottages peer out at you from beneath a lush thick thatched roof, these are now mainly curio shops and tea-rooms, none-the-less the village is lovingly preserved.

Quaint Cockington Forge has been there since the 14th-century, its eye catching thatch looks almost about to fall were not for its sturdy supports.

Parts of the village were pulled down in the 18th-century to open up the view from Cockington Court, thus its church was left in an isolated position.

The Drum Inn is a worthy hostelry, built to a design by Sir Edwin Luytens in 1930. This building is particularly notable for the engraving of Whistler's poem "The Drum" in one of the windows.

Historic Cockington Court and its 460 area of parkland are open to the public. The grounds offer scope for delightful walks, picnics, rambles in the woods, and lakes with wildlife. From the park you get an interesting glimpse of the beautiful Gamekeepers cottage which is sited close to the entrance of the woodland walk.

The house hosts many events, most recently it was the venue for an evening of Murder, Mystery and Suspense, featuring the work of Agatha Christie who was born in near-by Torquay. The Court makes a dramatic backdrop for the very English game of cricket which is often played in the grounds on a Sunday after-noon.

Cockington is but a few minutes drive from the centre of Torquay, to miss it would be to miss a joyful experience, for it has a charm beyond compare.