Church of St James

St James’ Church stands in the quiet village of Iddesleigh, a small place in Devon beside the rivers Torridge and Okement. Most of the building dates from the 15th century, though parts go back to the 13th. A handsome embattled tower rises at the west end, and the church mixes early and decorated English styles. Inside, tall granite arcades and barrel-vaulted ceilings give a sense of height. The tower holds six bells, two from 1620 and a tenor inscribed to Saint George. The church is worth the journey for its crusader effigy almost six feet long, set under a low arch behind the organ. It may represent an ancestor of Sir John Sully, a crusader who died at Iddesleigh in 1387 aged 105. The slate memorial to Wilmot Veale on the north chancel wall shows a carved woman and child in high relief. The Friends of St James keep the building and support local heritage work. The church was listed Grade I in 1967. Visitors find a chancel, nave, aisles and south porch seating about 120. The octagonal granite font may date to 1538, and the semi-octagonal pulpit is early 17th century. A 15th-century screen with perpendicular tracery stands in the north chapel. From the churchyard there are wide views over Dartmoor to Cawsand Beacon, Yes Tor and High Willhays. The thatched cottages around the church add to the peaceful scene.