England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Colaton Raleigh St John the Baptist

The Parish

The parish of Colaton Raleigh lies in southeastern Devon not too far from its English Channel coast. Colaton Raleigh is located roughly 9 miles southeast of the city of Exeter and sits on the B3178 road which connects Newton Poppleford with Budleigh Salterton on the coast. Colaton Raleigh has a presence at the B3178 but most properties lie to its east on a lane running down into the valley of the River Otter, as such it is a mid-sized village retaining many of its village services. It is reputed that the village acquired its suffix from the famous Sir Walter who may have owned the local manor at one time. Like many Devon parishes in this area of the county pastoral farming augmented by orcharding for the areas famous cider apples and pears dominated the local economy, the flood-plain of the Otter giving rich pastureland as well as the more basic pastures on the local red sandstones. Modern developments have come and gone for Colaton Raleigh, a branch rail line through Ottery St Mary to Budleigh Salterton having been constructed and nowadays largely dismantled, it has found new use as a popular local walk and cycle-way. The Otter is also home to a bold introduction scheme bringing beavers back to England's countryside, a popular draw for tourists. The Otter drains the parish southwards the short distance to the English Channel. Colaton Raleigh is sited at around 20 metres above the sea but land rises away from the Otter valley to local heights of almost 180 metres on nearby Woodbury Common. Colaton Raleigh parish was fairly typically sized for its area, covering just over 3,300 acres it would have supported a population of close to 850 parishioners. In Domesday times Colaton Raleigh was retained by King William, himself, a prosperous place offering 14 plough extensive pastures, meadows & woodland and there was a mill.

The Church

St John's church sits towards the middle of the lane running from the B3178 towards the River Otter at the junction of Church Road and Brook Lane. Whilst the church is undoubtedly medieval at its core this is a church which has been extensively modified over the years particularly by the Victorian restorers. The only medieval remnants cited by Pevsner include the northern aisle dateable to c1200 and the remaining chancel arch showing decorative scratch-work. The western tower with its distinctive staircase is a 16th century addition which sets off the perspective nicely. The remainder of the fabric dates from a rebuilding on the 1870s at which time the church was much modified to its current form. Whilst Church Road is fairly narrow careful parking can be made. The site is surrounded by a mid-height stone & brick wall breached by gates off both Church Road and Brook Lane, once within there are few obstacles to the photographer.