England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Diptford St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Diptford lies in southern Devon, within the district know as the South Hams, roughly 6 miles southwest of the market town of Totnes. Diptford sits just over 3 miles southeast of the busy A38 road which connects Exeter with Plymouth. Much of Diptford sits around a crossroads high above the valley, deeply incised, of Devon's own River Avon with most properties gathered either around that junction or scattered more widely across an extensive parish acreage. Like most parishes in this area, Diptford would have primarily earned its living from raising cattle on the rich pastures created by a warm and wet environment, in addition the local stone was quarried, albeit only for use in the local maintenance of the road network. Diptford is drained southwards by the Avon which makes its way to the English Channel arriving to the east of the resort of Bigbury on Sea. Diptford occupies a valley-side site with lower properties at close to 80 metres whilst the main crossroads sits at 110 metres above the sea, the local landscape is strongly undulating with deeply incised valleys and billowing hills, the local high spot of 182 metres sits a little over a mile north of Diptford. As already mentioned Diptford parish was extensive, as are many in this area, covering just over 4,100 acres it would have supported a population of close to 750 parishioners. In Domesday times Diptford was a fairly quiet rural settlement, held directly by King William, himself, its offerings were 10 ploughs plus a small meadow.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the western side of the village just above the drop into the Avon's valley, the main lane through the village performs a right-angled bend and at that bend a short spur heads west to the site. Whilst the church has its origins in the 13th century it was markedly altered in the subsequent 14th by major rebuilding, the result is a mish-mash of conflicting dating evidence as those re-builders added new and reused old fabric in that construction. Several parts of the church show styles conflicting between Early English Gothic & Decorated within the same piece adding to the confusion. Such is the mixed evidence that Pevsner declines to date the church, merely describing its main features. English Heritage indicate that a basic nave, chancel & small western tower from the 13th century were enhanced n the 14th by the addition of the broach spire to the tower and in the 15th (and Perpendicular) of the aisles. At least 3 campaigns of Victorian restoration also add to the mix, that of 1840 adding the vestry whilst further work occurred in both 1870 & 1908. Whilst the dead-end spur is narrow most locals use it for careful parking alongside the ivy-topped local stone wall. Wrought iron gates, complete with a thin arch above, grant entry into the churchyard which is open & uncluttered with no obstacles for the photographer.