Manaton is a moorland parish in a beautiful part of Dartmoor with direct access to good walking country and other pursuits including horse riding and rock climbing on the tors. For a population of about 300, Manaton is a very busy place socially.
The Church
St Winifred’s is a Grade 1 listed building, built around 1400.
The oldest parts of the present granite-built church are the nave and chancel, both built in the early fifteenth century. Later that century, the north and south aisles were added, with the tower also being built either then or shortly after. The chancel was rebuilt following its destruction by lightning in 1779. There were major restorations of the building in 1865 and further works in the 1920s.
An outstanding feature of the church is the exceptionally fine and very rare carved and painted rood screen, from the late fifteenth-century. During the Reformation all the figures on the screen were defaced and the statues on the top removed. We also have a fine Victorian reredos. The tower clock, installed in 1934 in memory of Charlotte Kitson, strikes every hour and can be heard in all parts of the village.
In the churchyard, just in front of the flagstaff, stands the village War Memorial – erected in 1921 to commemorate originally those who fell in the First World War, with the names of those who fell in the Second World War added later.
Typical service schedule
| first Sunday of the month | Holy Communion at 11.00 am |
| second Sunday of the month | All Age Worship at 11.00am |
| third Sunday of the month | Holy Communion at 11.00 am |
| fourth Sunday of the month | Evensong at 6.00pm |
Upcoming services & events
All services and events across North Dartmoor Parishes.
Christingle Service
8 December 2024 11:00 amSt Winifred, Manaton TQ13 9UJHoly Communion
15 December 2024 11:00 amSt Winifred, Manaton TQ13 9UJCarol Service
22 December 2024 6:00 pmSt Winifred, Manaton TQ13 9UJChristmas Eve and Crib Service
24 December 2024 6:00 pmSt Winifred, Manaton TQ13 9UJChristmas Communion
25 December 2024 11:00 amSt Winifred, Manaton TQ13 9UJ
Activities and groups
Church Discussion Group meets once a month 2.00pm to 3.30pm, generally on Thursday. Contact Ann Mosley, 01647 221549.
In the community
There is a Parish Hall near to the church. For bookings contact Caroline Hart on .
A major annual event is the Show and Fair held in August in the church field. Other social activities include the monthly village market and coffee morning, and a Cricket Club. There is a small but effective branch of The Royal British Legion who arrange a successful Poppy Appeal and organise the Remembrance Sunday service each year.
Contact us
For matters relating to the Church, including inquiries re baptisms/christenings, weddings, funerals, or other events, please contact:
You can connect via:
- Facebook @ManatonChurch
- Website covering Doccombe, Lustleigh, Manaton, Moretonhampstead, North Bovey churches: moretonbenefice.uk
Otherwise, please use the information on the Contact Us or Safeguarding pages.
How to find us
The church is located adjacent to the Village Green. There is parking close to the Church. There is very limited public transport to Manaton, currently MD Coaches 671 on Wednesdays; Country Bus 271 on Saturdays.
- Postcode: TQ13 9UJ
- what3words: exotic.remind.propose
Accessibility
- Step at each of the Lychgate and church door
- Hearing loop
- No toilet (although one is planned)
