Description

TORQUAY

SX8963 COCKINGTON PARK, Cockington
885-1/16/371 Church of St George and St Mary
20/11/52

GV II*

Parish church set in landscaped grounds of nearby Cockington
Court (qv). Early C13 origins but most of fabric is C14 or
C15. Restoration 1882-3 by Hine and Odgers and 1916-20 by
Charles Nicholson (architect) and Herbert Read (restoration of
screen). Local stone rubble with red sandstone and Beerstone
dressings, gable-ended slate roofs.
PLAN: Nave and chancel with north and south aisles, the
chancel projecting very slightly. C18 or early C19 north porch
and C19 vestry on south side of west tower.
EXTERIOR: Low tower of 2 stages with crenellated parapet,
corner pinnacles, diagonal buttresses and stair turret
projecting from middle of north wall. Probably C17 west
doorway, 2-centred arch with ovolo surround. North and south
aisles with 4-window fronts of 3-light Perpendicular windows
with hoodmoulds, another taller version at east end of
chancel. Gabled north porch to small round-headed doorway.
INTERIOR: West door has ancient plank door with coverstrips
and strap hinges. Unmoulded round arch to nave. Nave and aisle
open waggon roofs replaced in 1950 incorporating some old
bosses. No chancel arch. 5-bay arcades (5th bay overlapping
chancel) with moulded Beerstone piers (Pevsner's type B);
carved capitals to south, plain to north. Walls stripped of
plaster. Ancient doorway blocked by east wall of north aisle.
Flag floor. Tower appears to contain evidence of priest's
chamber (see Church Guide).
Fixtures and Fittings: Mostly C19 and C20 including reredos by
Hems of Exeter (1881) and lectern (1922). Choir stalls include
a couple of medieval misericords said to come from Torre
Abbey. Late C17 communion rails with twisted balusters.
Chancel screen and parclose screens restored by Herbert Read
of Exeter 1916-20 incorporating fragments of original C15
timber. Good late C16 timber pulpit with "wine glass" stem and
panelled sides enriched with Renaissance ornament, said to
come from Torre Church. Some C15 benches with carved bench
ends. Good C15 Beerstone font with Perpendicular decoration.
C17 bell with reverse inscription set in south aisle.
Memorials: Only pre-C19 memorials are graveslabs in floor;
best are early C18 in memory of two John Easterlys.
Glass: Some fragments of C15 glass in south aisle
The church forms part of an exceptionally good group of listed
buildings in Cockington Park and the adjacent unspoilt
village.
(Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1952-1989:
P.834-5; Seymour D: Church guide: 1990-).

Listing NGR: SX8907563784

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17550022

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)