South Tawton - exterior

St Andrew, South Tawton

The parish of South Tawton is in a beautiful part of the Dartmoor National Park with direct access to good walking country and other pursuits. The parish includes the villages of South Tawton and South Zeal with outlying hamlets. The smaller community of South Tawton is home to the parish church of St. Andrew and the adjacent 15th century Church House (restored in 2005). The parish is overlooked by Cosdon (or Cawsand) Beacon which, at 1799 ft, dominates the skyline to the south of the village.

The Church

St. Andrew’s is a Grade 1 listed building of Norman origin and rebuilt in the 15th century and forms a link on the Archangel’s Way walking route. The church was re-roofed in 2013 following extensive fundraising. The wagon roof contains more than 170 late medieval carved bosses, including depictions of the green man and the three hares.

The large churchyard was winner of Devon’s Best Churchyard competition in 2018 and is managed to provide spring and summer wild flower meadows.

Typical service schedule

The pattern of services is shared with both the Church House and with St. Mary’s chapel in South Zeal and varies according to winter and summer, and can always be found on the porch notice board. The major services and festivals held at St. Andrew’s are:

  • Mothering Sunday
  • Easter Day
  • Dartmoor Folk Festival Service with musicians and Morris
  • Harvest Festival
  • Service of Light for Loved Ones
  • Remembrance Day
  • The Beacon Nativity
  • Carols by Candlelight

Upcoming services & events

Services are shared with South Zeal. All services and events across North Dartmoor Parishes.

Contact us

For matters relating to the Church, including inquiries re baptisms/christenings, weddings, funerals, or other events, please contact:

Otherwise, please use the information on the Contact Us or Safeguarding pages.

How to find us

Public transport, car parks

Accessibility

  • Parking available
  • Hearing loop

We very much look forward to welcoming you!