Cheriton Bishop is a village and civil parish situated on the northern borders of Dartmoor National park between Exeter and Okehampton, in Devon, England. The population at the 2011 Census was 652. The history of the settlement can be traced back over a thousand years when the old village centre was established as a commercial centre for the local farming community.
History
The name "Cheriton" derives from the Old English for "church town". Treable is a farm in the parish which was first recorded in 1242. Treable is one of the fewCeltic place names which survive in Devon; it means the "trev or homestead of Ebell". However it can with certainty be identified with an estate called "Hyple's old land" which was granted by King Edward in 976 to his vassal Aelfsige. "Hyple" is a corrupt form of "Ebell" and also occurs in Ipplepen; this suggests that this Celtic landowner had been in possession of this estate not long before, probably until earlier in the 10th century. The boundaries of the estate are described in the charter of 976 and include on the east a hollow way with two massive earth banks which is still in existence.
Parish church
The church of St Mary has a 13th-century chancel but the remainder of the building is of the Perpendicular period. The west tower and north aisle are built of ashlar-granite. Features of interest include the old wagon roofs of the chancel, the Norman font, the old screen to the north chancel chapel and the 16th century pulpit.
Present day
In the most recent census, the village had a population of around 650. The village has a single public house, the Old Thatch Inn, remaining open, following the closure of the Mulberry in September 2012. The site was purchased by the Young Farmers Club in 2013, becoming its regional hub. It was formally open by Prince Charles in 2017. The Old Thatch offers a selection of real ales and meals, and organises a range of activities, including gigs, open mic nights and pub quizzes. The village is served by a shop, doctor's surgery and primary school. There is a café and guest house on the outskirts of the village called the Woodleigh Coach House, towards the A30 near Woodleigh junction. Since 2006, the Woodleigh Coach House has hosted an annual live music festival to raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance and other local charities, including the Scouts, Exeter Community Transport Association and Cheriton Bishop Primary School. Performers have included FOS brothers, El Cohones, Vivid Sky, Eventine, and FAB Beatles. The 'Gig in the Garden' is held on the first Saturday of September each year, although, as the name suggests, 'Jam in June' was held in June.
