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THE AREA |
South Brent or Brent as it is known to the locals, stands where the river Avon leaves the bleak and dangerous southern Dartmoor heights and begins its journey through the tranquil South Hams. So it is a great starting point to explore the moor itself either by car or on foot and is within easy distance from the coast at Torbay or Bigbury on Sea and the shores of South Devon. It is one of Devon's first eco-friendly communities.
Brent Island- The island is a beautiful stretch of land surrounded by the River Avon. It is a short walk from the centre of South Brent. The island was brought for the village by the village in 1994.
The island is a significant part of community life in South Brent and is a tranquil area of outstanding beauty.
Brent is ideally placed for tourism. There are leisure centres in nearby Ivybridge and Totnes, Golf courses at Wrangaton and Bigbury, Horse riding at Chestone and Fishing Locally.
Brent is also close to Buckfast Abbey and the nearby South Devon Railway and Butterfly Farm. Totnes with its Tuesday Elizabethan market is 7miles away and Plymouth with the National Nature Aquarium and historic Barbican is only 17miles to the west. Torbay is 16 miles to the east.
Beaches
We have many beaches to choose from, to name just a few we have;
Torbay
Bigbury
Bantham Beach (one of the best surfing beaches in South Devon)
Hope Cove Beach
Blackpool Sands
All these beaches have such beautiful scenic routes to take you there!
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Island History & The Trust
The Island at South Brent is in the present day Dartmoor National Park in Devon and it is a heritage asset of local, regional and national importance. The river Avon flows past South Brent and where the river divides and runs along both sides of an ancient meadow, it has always been known locally as "The Island".
There has been a settlement at South Brent for well over a thousand years. The "Island" contains the nearest meadowland to the centre of the original settlement. The soil is deep river sand, which, when deposited on the Island, it formed the present day ridges. This indicates that the meadow has never been ploughed; otherwise it would have been more level. This is very ancient, undisturbed meadow. The Island today is managed for people to freely enjoy and the protection of wildlife.
The Trust currently has over 140 full members, who are all potential volunteers when working parties are required! Management is aimed at maintaining a variety of natural habitats for the benefit of a wide spectrum of species. These include: the meadow, areas of tussock grasses, areas of bramble, nettle, blackthorn and willow thicket, the river margins, the river itself, the weir, the leat, mature woodland structures, the linhay and the bridge.
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THE AREA |
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HISTORY
The parish includes the small hamlets of Aish, Harbourneford, Lutton (Hamlet), Brent Mill, and many scattered farmhouses. On Brent Hill, the steep hill just outside the village from which it takes its name (Old English brant – steep), are the ruins of an ancient building, supposed to have been a chapel, and of a windmill, built about 1790. On the high moorlands are many hut circles, enclosures, and barrows, all dating from the Bronze Age. The manor of Brent belonged to Buckfast Abbey from the time of the foundation of the abbey in the early 11th century and was bought at the Dissolution by Sir William Petre, a large receiver of monastic spoils in South Devon. The panoramic view from the top of the hill is one of the most impressive in the county[citation needed].
The massive Norman tower of St Petroc's Church (now at the west end) was apparently the central tower of a cruciform building, the west portion of which was demolished at some date, perhaps in the early 14th century when the existing nave was rebuilt with two transepts. In the early 15th century these transepts were enlarged into aisles. The fine font, of red sandstone, is late 12th century in date, and is similar in style to others in neighbouring churches. On the south of the churchyard is the manor house, part of which is 15th century in date. In 1436 the vicar, the Rev John Hay, was dragged out of the church and murdered while officiating at divine service. The door through which he was taken has been walled up, though the old doorway is just visible.
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