St Brannock's Church, Braunton

The present church dates from the thirteenth century and stands on the foundations of its Saxon predecessor, though Christian worship on the site may date back to as early as the 6th century. St Brannock was an early Christian saint who is believed to have migrated from South Wales to establish a monastery at Braunton in the 6th century. Sir John Betjeman states that St Brannoc was "almost certainly" buried beneath the high altar. Local tradition suggests that St Brannock originally built his church on a hill overlooking Braunton, but that the church collapsed. Following this setback, in a dream, the Saint was told to look for "a sow and piglets", and that this would be the site to build…

Nikolaus Pevsner described the church as "one of the most interesting, and also one of the most puzzling in North Devon", mentioning its massive, apparently Norman, south tower; its lead-covered broach spire, similar to that at St Peter and St Paul at Barnstaple; and the nave which despite being 34 ft wide, has no aisles. Betjeman describes the church as "not very prepossessing but well worth visiting", and as having "a remarkably wide nave covered by a fine roof enriched with fifteenth century bosses". one has a likeness of St Brannoc with a cow, testament to a tale surrounding him that a neighbour stole his cow, slaughtered it, put it into a stewing pot, and upon shouting the cow's name,…