Pictures of South Molton

a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon

Take a picture tour of South Molton

South Molton Pictures South Molton Hotels Submit a history of South Molton South Molton Attractions Nearby Towns Submit Pictures South Molton Map Add to favourites

About South Molton

The South Molton of present times is known to have been the home of Henry Williamson, author of Tarka the Otter who lived just outside the town, at Shallowford House. He also wrote the engaging story Dandelion Days.

Early evidence suggests that there was once a Saxon colony here but it is as an ancient sheep and cattle market town that South Molton has been documented since the 12th-century. Until the middle of the 19th-century the town prospered as a triving centre for the wool industry. In early times, it was a coach stop on the route to Barnstable and Bideford and it was fortunate to be close to the iron and copper mines of North Molton, a matter which greatly enhanced the fortunes of the town and towns-folk.

There are some very handsome Georgian houses to be seen in this lovely little town along with the elegant 18th-century Guildhall and Assembly Rooms of the 19th-century. The Medical Hall has a unique verandah of intricate ironwork, it overlooks the market place and dates 19th-century. As with many other similar towns, money from the wool trade sourced these beautiful buildings.

South Molton museum tells of the history of the town and has some interesting exhibits including an early wooden fire engine. It is a fascinating place and worthy of your time.

Hugh Squier, was a local farmer's son who, born in 1625 eventually found his way to London and became a wealthy merchant. However, he did not forget the town of his birth, he built and endowed the town's grammer school in 1684, he died in the year 1710 and is commorated by a plaque in the Guildhall.

Close to the square is an avenue of lime trees, leading to the church of St. Mary Magdalene. It was built in 1430 and amongst it's treasures is the original stone pulpit with carvings of apostles.

South Molton is a spacious town amid fine open countryside interspersed with rivers, streams, meadows and pastureland grazed by cattle and sheep. There are pretty cottages and handsome farmhouses dotted around the ancient lanes and here and there you will find a pleasant country inn. It is a charming place and it's close proximity to the beauties of Exmoor make it well worth a visit

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near South Molton

Tarr Steps	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Arlington Court	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Exmoor National Park	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park	(13.9 miles, 22.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
RHS Garden Rosemoor	(14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction W)	Pictures
Glen Lyn Gorge	(14.6 miles, 23.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Watersmeet	(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
The Valley of Rocks	(14.8 miles, 23.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Crow Point Lighthouse	(16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Knightshayes Court	(16.6 miles, 26.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Tiverton Castle	(16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Watermouth Castle	(17.0 miles, 27.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Northam Burrows Country Park	(17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Grand Western Canal Country Park	(17.5 miles, 28.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Once Upon a Time, Woolacombe	(18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in South Molton
All attractions in Devon
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near South Molton

Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SE)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction SW)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

High Bickington, in the county of Devon (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Withypool, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NE)
R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winsford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction NE)
One of the prettiest and most unspoilt of villages, steeped in history and mentioned in the Domesday book
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Zeal Monachorum, in the county of Devon (13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction S)
Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Oare, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction N)
Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (15.1 miles, 24.4 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Instow, in the county of Devon (15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction W)
Instow is a gorgeous seaside resort with a mass of golden sands backed by a delightful village clambering upwards to meet with fine wooded countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Appledore, in the county of Devon (15.9 miles, 25.6 km, direction W)
Appledore is as enchanting as its name. It is a pretty place that shows a host of colourful fishermens cottages in the narrow streets beyond the quay
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Culbone, in the county of Somerset (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction NE)
A small hamlet that is not accessible by car. St Culbone's Church is the smallest parish church in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Porlock, in the county of Somerset (16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction NE)
Once, long before the 11th-century when the sea receded the village of Porlock was a Port..
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Luccombe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction NE)
There really could be no finer example of the perfect English village than Luccombe..
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Selworthy Green, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction NE)
Selworthy Green is the start of a picturesque walk through steep woodlands to the gorse-gold and heather clad summit of Selworthy Beacon from which there are magnificent views over the undulating countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Croyde, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NW)
Croyde village has a scattering of thatched, colourwashed cottages and other delightful buildings, all sheltered by dunes which stand between the village and the bay.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Devon
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

King's Nympton Station	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SW)
Portsmouth Arms Station	(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SW)
M5 Junction 27	(21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 28	(22.5 miles, 36.2 km, direction SE)
Exeter Airport	(26.5 miles, 42.6 km, direction SE)
Cardiff International Airport	(33.6 miles, 54.1 km, direction NE)
South Molton to London	(164.2 miles, 264.3 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in South Molton

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from South Molton center
The George Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Old Bakehouse	(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)
Stoke House Bed and Breakfast	(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NW)
Bracken House Country Hotel	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction NW)
The Park Hotel	(10.5 miles, 16.8 km, direction NW)
The Imperial Hotel	(10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NW)
The Royal & Fortescue Hotel	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NW)
Yeo Dale Hotel	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)
The Barnstaple Hotel	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NW)
Cedars Inn	(11.7 miles, 18.7 km, direction W)
All hotels in South Molton