England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Berrynarbor St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Berrynarbor lies in the extreme north of Devon, indeed it forms part of Devon's northern coast with the Bristol Channel. Berrynarbor is located about 3 miles east of the seaside resort & port of Ilfracombe. Berrynarbor is a large compact village built in the deeply incised Sterridge Valley and sited about a half mile south of the A399 coastal road. The area is rather deeply rolling countryside, the majority of the land being put to pastures this was one of the main employers as well as quarrying and, of course, given its coastal setting, a small amount of fishing. Nowadays the coastal portion of the parish makes its living from tourism with camp sites and bed & breakfasts serving the needs of trippers. The South West Way National Trail passes along the coast of the parish too. The Sterridge Valley runs its short course steeply down from Berry Down to reach the sea in barely 5 miles but has incised a steeply sided valley far more impressive than the stream in the base nowadays. Berrynarbor is sited at around 50 metres above the sea, the village climbing steeply from the crossing of the stream at just 30 metres; land rises either side to reach local heights to the southeast on Berry Down at almost 270 metres. In Domesday times Berrynarbor was held by one Walter of Douai the parish boasted 11 ploughs as well as extensive woodland and pastures.

The Church

St Peter's church sits on the western side of Barton Lane which climbs steeply beside it. The church is notable for its fine western tower, a local landmark given the church's elevation relative to the valley. Pevsner was clearly taken with the church describing it as "an impressive-looking church". Like many such buildings there are signs of many centuries of work, Pevsner cites am arch between north transept and nave as Norman and probably 12th century. More substantially the chancel is in the Early English style with its lancet windows placing it firmly in the early 13th century. The red sandstone tower is however the church's crowning glory. This 15th century addition marked a major redesign of the church and is an impressive 90 feet tall in four stages. The church sits in rather an elevated site and entry is either from the northeastern side or by a gate and steps at the junction with Castle Hill. Once inside the graveyard there are few restrictions to photography.