Local Area Information

Higher Primrose Cottage sits within the heart of the pretty village of Winkleigh. Winkleigh takes its name from two Saxon words – 'wincel' (corner) and 'leah' (clearing in a forest). So, the name means the corner clearing. It sits atop an ancient and key defensive settlement site and there is reasonable evidence that there was a settlement here as far back as the bronze age or possibly even further!

 The manor of Winkleigh was given by William the Conqueror to his wife Matilda. At the time of the Doomsday Book Winkleigh had a hunting park (which has long since gone) which is listed in the Doomsday book as ‘a park for beasts’.

In days of old Winkleigh boasted two castles (which were probably manor houses) – Croft Castle and Court Castle, sadly very little remains of either. There is a lot of history held within Winkleigh from Firedrake Dragons (yes, we really do have Dragons…) to UFO’s!

If I tried to list every attraction I would fail. There really is so much to do and see. Here's just a flavour of what you can find within a 20 – 30-minute drive:

RHS Rosemoor

Dartington Crystal

The Museum of Dartmoor Life

Castle Drogo

War Horse Valley

Finch Foundry

Woolley Animals Alpaca Walking

Dartmoor Railway

Okehampton Castle (ruins)

The Granite Way

Tarka Pottery

Nearest swimming pool – Okehampton Parklands

Nearest cinema – Carlton Independent cinema Okehampton

Shooting, fishing & falconry are offered at The Fox and Hounds Eggesford