High Bickington Parish Council

About the Council and Parish

A little bit about the village:

High Bickington (electorate approximately 750) is a small, friendly village in rural North Devon, situated 9 miles from the market town of Barnstaple which has excellent facilities including many well-known retailers, a Pannier market, theatre and cinema. The renowned beaches of Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe can all be reached within an hour’s drive. The National Parks of Exmoor and Dartmoor are equally accessible from the village.

The older part of the village lies within a conservation area, character cottages, homely terraces and narrow streets with a number of thatched properties. The more recent developments blend seamlessly with the old providing a diverse community with a good mix of people who are all eager to make this a great place to live.


Local amenities include a thriving Primary School (www.high-bickington-primary.devon.sch.uk), St Mary’s C of E church, Methodist Chapel, two public houses (The Old George and the Golden Lion), a Doctors’ surgery, Post Office and Community Shop.

Little Bickington Farm, a newly completed development, comprises 20 open market sale properties and 9 affordable homes.  Also included on this site is a multi-purpose Community Centre, playing field and allotments, which affords the village a number of sports and recreational facilities. A wide range of clubs operate from the Centre – a full list of amenities is listed on their website: www.highbickington.org


There is a playing field off Quarry Lane at the South end of the village which is home to the local Football and Cricket clubs. This is run by a charitable trust and includes a children’s play area, pavilion and a car park.

A community woodland, maintained by a group of volunteers, is a popular walking area and well used by many residents.  New volunteers are always welcome to help with the management of the wood.


Barton Meadow Play Area on the north side of the village is a popular play area for children and young people.


Libbaton Golf Course is within a mile of the village centre – an 18-hole course with restaurant facilities.


The local Parish magazine “Ramblings” is published monthly and contains details of all current and forthcoming events, together with a range of articles and local information. The Editor, Alan Graveley, can be contacted on afgraveley@btinternet.com.

The Parish Council undertook the latest Parish Appraisal in 2013 – questionnaires were sent to all residents. The results were collated and from that a report produced on the way forward for the village. The Parish Council is currently working with others to ensure that it can deliver as many of the points raised as possible. Copies of the report are available from the Clerk.


The Parish Council have considered plans for future development within the Parish and put forward proposals to be included in the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan which will run until 2031. The proposals were accepted by Torridge District Council and following consultations the plan has been adopted. The proposals for High Bickington will allow some limited planned development and also wider community benefits which will address issues arising from the appraisal and help to sustain a viable and thriving community. These will feed into an updated Parish Plan that will evolve to enable the community to take advantage of opportunities and changes as they occur. (North Devon and Torridge Local Plan is available on www.torridge.gov.uk)


The Parish Council funded the updating of the Community and Business Directory in 2016 – this contains a listing of all businesses, clubs, local services, etc. and is distributed to every household. Copies are available from the Clerk and reproduced on this website.


The Parish Council provides new residents with a welcome pack, containing local information and contact details, the Directory and an up to date complimentary copy of Ramblings.



The Parish is fortunate to have the services of two Parish nurses, organised by the Two Rivers Churches. Their remit is to work with the NHS and other agencies to support patients and carers, and visit people at home or in hospital on request.


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