Following in Sir Walter's footsteps
East Budleigh with its ancient church and its picturesque thatched houses is one of Devon's most attractive villages. Steeped in history, with its intriguing connection to America through two of its former residents - Sir Walter Raleigh and Roger Conant - it's a place that inspires. The farmhouse of Hayes Barton, Sir Walter's birthplace, is on its own worth the trek out from Budleigh Salterton just for the view of this beautiful building pictured above in its tranquil setting, even though the house is not open to the public. Just occasionally a private visit can be arranged, and on Wednesday 26 January 2011 it's the turn of lucky members of the Art Fund, who meet at Hayes Barton at 10.30 am for a tour of the farmhouse before being escorted on a tour of East Budleigh church, famed for its magnificent sixteenth century bench ends. The cost of the visit, which ends at 1.00 pm is £12 per person. It's clearly a popular event as the trip is, I'm told, "grossly ov...