Throwleigh - interior

St Mary the Virgin, Throwleigh

St Mary’s Church is in the centre of the village of Throwleigh — a small village on the Northeast edge of Dartmoor, and home to about 400 people. The Church is a grade 1 listed building made of fine local granite. The churchyard is largely left for flowers and other wildlife to flourish and has several paths for visitors to access the graves.

The Church

The Church was mostly constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries and has many interesting features within it.

There is a sundial above south door relating to King Charles II. A stone Easter sepulchre dating from the pre-Reformation time is in the Chancel and there are several interesting wooden carvings: the waggon roof bosses have images of the Green Man and the three hares. There are six bells in the tower and these are regularly rung before services and for competitions. There are also swift nesting boxes in the tower.

Typical service schedule

St Mary’s holds one service a month, usually Common Worship, and either Morning Prayer or Holy Communion at 11.15am on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The Church also holds some special services during the year: Plough Sunday in January, a Stations of the Cross service in Holy Week, a harvest Festival in October and a Remembrance Service in November. At Christmas, carols are sung round the village one evening, and there is a Candle-lit service for Children on Christmas Eve.

Upcoming services & events

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

In the community

The Church is used for concerts and lectures as well as services, including the Whiddon Autumn Festival concert. There is a pop-up Post Office which is held for one afternoon each week.

There is a very active “Friends of St Mary’s” group of people which raises the profile of the church and raises money for the church fabric by arranging plant sales, lectures and concerts, and children’s activities and other events on behalf of the church.

Some church events are held at the village hall — about half a mile from the church — such as the Church Christmas Bazaar, less formal events and the Village Fete.

Throwleigh - tower
Throwleigh - exterior

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


Finding St Mary’s Church is easy if you can find Throwleigh. The Church is in the main street and is approached through a fine Lych gate. The access is up several steep steps and is slightly restricted. Car parking is limited to the road outside. The church has a toilet facility for visitors.

Accessibility

  • Access slightly restricted and up steep steps
  • Toilet available

We very much look forward to welcoming you!