Broadclyst village, Devon

The village and parish of Broadclyst lies about 6 miles northeast of Exeter, and to the east of the B3181. The M5 lies just to the west making Broadclyst an ideal base from which to explore he whole of Devon, if not the whole South West!

The area was settled in ancient times as can be witnessed at the Iron Age Hill Fort of Dolbury. Many settlements pre-date the Norman Invasion of 1066, others such as Southbrook, Killerton and Churchill date from the late 11th Century. In the year 1001 the village is said to have been burned down by Danish invaders.

The parish church dates from the 14th Century and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The interior of the church is of interest with a number of monuments comemmorating amongst others Edward Drewe of Killerton, Sir John Acland of Columbjohn and Sir Roger de Nonant - all dating from the 14th century. The church tower was added in the 16th Century.

The present Killerton House, now in the stewardship of the National Trust lies nearby. Largely a 18th Century structure the house is still the residence of the Acland family. The village was served by its own 'Broad Clyst' railway station until 1966.

Broadclyst had a population of 2,830 in the 2001 Census and lies in the EX5 postcode district. It was twinned with the Breton village of Plobannalec-Lesconi in 2006.