Pictures of Venn Ottery

About Venn Ottery

The scenery around Venn Ottery is quite spectacular, the hedgegrows along the deep winding lanes are of iridescent rich greens and burnished golds, it is perhaps a quiet, almost secret place where nothing much seems to have changed in spite of over 1000 years of history. A farming community exists here, handsome farmhouses are surrounded by pastures being quietly grazed by sheep and cattle. Here and there a pretty cottage comes into view with luxurient Wisteria creeping over ancient walls. The lovely River Otter flows nearby and doubtless it is from this that the village takes it's name.

Perhaps the oldest building here is the parish church of St.Gregory, a building of stark contrasts. It has a stone Tower that dates around 1095 but the rest of the church was rebuilt following fire damage in the late 18th-century. Interestingly, the Hymn Rock of Ages was composed by the Reverend Augustus Toplady who was vicar here from 1766 to 1768.

The most visited part of Venn Ottery is the vast area that forms the Venn Ottery Nature Reserve, it is part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here there are vast tracts of beautiful commonland, a riot of colour in any season - purple moor grass, bell heather and weston gorse predominantly cover the ground. There are beautiful shady woodland areas that provide a safe habitat for mammals, reptiles, rare butterflies and birds. This is a special place where you need time to wander a drink in the rich bounties that are nature's blessing.

Venn Ottery is a short distance from the East Devon Heritage Coast. It is in the midst of a famous tourist area and nearby attractions include; Exeter Cathedral, La Ronde - a national trust property, Crealy Adventure Park and Bicton Park Gardens.