The local area

 Bovey Tracey has a long and colourful history and takes its name from  the river Bovi or Boui, which passes through the town and is now known  as the River Bovey. A relative of the De Tracey’ family (who settled in  the area after 1066) is said to have been the Lord of the Manor. One of  them, Sir William, who had a share in the murder of Thomas a Becket in  Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, is said to have built the Parish church of  St Peter, St Paul & St Thomas of Canterbury (which was dedicated to  St Thomas) as a penance for his crime. The unbroken list of vicars  dates from 1258. The present church, with its fine coloured rood screen  and carved stone pulpit, dates mainly from the later 14th and 15th  centuries.

De Tracey later added his name to that of Bovey, thus renaming the  town Bovey Tracey. We do not know if there ever was a manor house in  Bovey Tracey as the medieval manor was mainly held by the Crown.  The  Manor House in East Street (now known) was previously called Pitt  Tenement.  In 1260 a Fair and Market Charter was granted by Henry III  and there is still a Farmers’ Market on alternate Saturdays. 

The restored Riverside Mill building in the centre of Bovey Tracey is  home to MAKE South West.  The building was never used as a mill but was  built in 1850 as a stable. The waterwheel simply collected water from  the river for use in the stables and Bridge House, which is now  residential flats and the Co-operative Conveniencestore. The old Market  Cross, close to the Town Hall, has been restored as a War Memorial. This  was the original site of the village green and the Town Hall was opened  here in 1866. Courtenay House was the original site of Bovey Grammar  School. It later became a Mission House and was used for parish relief  work.

The Devon House of Mercy, for reclaiming fallen women, was  established here in 1861, and was formally opened in a temporary  residence in 1863 at nearby Chapple Farm. The foundation stone of the  present building was laid by the Earl of Devon in 1865 and contained  accommodation for 72 inmates being supported by voluntary contributions.  The members of the Clew Sisterhood had the management of it. Following  the Second World War, Devon House was converted into residential  accommodation.

At nearby Parke is the headquarters of the Dartmoor National Park  Authority. This large house and estate was left to the National Trust in  1974 and the house is leased to the Dartmoor National Park Authority.