Budleigh, East (All Saints)

BUDLEIGH, EAST (All Saints), a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union of St. Thomas, hundred of East Budleigh, Woodbury and S. divisions of Devon, 4½ miles (W. S. W.) from Sidmouth; containing 2319 inhabitants. The antiquity of this place is evinced by its having given name to the hundred. It is pleasantly situated on the shore of the English Channel, to which it is open on the south; and is sheltered on other sides by hills of moderate elevation. From the excellent accommodations which have been provided for sea-bathing at Budleigh-Salterton, within the parish, where hot and cold baths have been constructed, and preparations made for the reception of visiters, that hamlet is rising into repute as a watering-place. The market was anciently held on Sunday, and afterwards on Monday; a pleasure-fair is still held on Easter-Tuesday. The parish comprises 2622 acres, of which 338 are waste; the surface is hilly, and the lower lands are watered by the river Otter. The living is a discharged vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Withycombe-Rawleigh annexed, valued in the king's books at £30; net income, £318; patrons, the family of Rolle; impropriators, the landowners. In addition to the parochial church, there is a chapel of ease in the later English style, erected in 1813 at the expense of Lord Rolle. The Wesleyans have a place of worship. At Poer Hayes is an ancient mansion, celebrated as the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh; and some remains exist of an old chapel dedicated to St. James.