Introduced in 2026 Designed and Created by Councillor Pester
Welcome
To our beautiful village of Gittisham and the Gittisham Vale Estate,
Set in the heart of East Devon.
We all hope you enjoy your time with us.
With its thatched roofs, medieval church and village green, Gittisham is situated in the rolling farmland of East Devon, this former estate village has maintained its unspoiled, harmonious character.
Some properties have been lived in by many generations of the same family.
Gittisham’s history is an ancient one. Many cottages in the parish can be traced back to the Domesday Book, and our Bronze Age ancestors also left their mark on Gittisham Hill where you will find several burial mounds.
Down the ages, successive landowners have shaped the identity of the parish. They left behind various styles of architecture, including the Elizabethan Combe House, the 17th-century Town Farmhouse, the rendered cob and stone cottages that line the central area and the elegant 18th-century brick houses rising from the east end of the village. The majority of the buildings in the village are listed, and almost the whole village has been designated a conservation area.
Today the population of the old village is approximately 120, with satellite settlements on the Heathfield Estate, Gittisham Vale & Hayne Farm developments and Hamlet.
The River Gitt meanders slowly through the old village under the small bridge by the Village Hall.
The Parish Council
Gittisham Parish Council meet in the Parish Room to the right of St Michael’s Church in Gittisham Old Village .
Meetings normally take place on the first Thursday of the month. Members of the public are invited to attend and raise any issues prior to the start of the meeting.
You can contact the Parish Council at
The Village Hall
The Village hall is situated in the heart of the old village.
The Village Hall is over 100 years old and managed by a committee of volunteers who run events and see to the maintenance of the hall and its gardens. It has been used for events ranging from quizzes, cabarets, concerts, discos, the famous Gittisham fete, the annual flower & produce show, weddings and birthday parties.
Volunteers are always Welcome!
Every Thursday evening from 18:30, there is a community kitchen in the Village Hall, which provides a free meal to any Gittisham Parishioner and their families. Donations are always gratefully received. (Meat and veggie options available). This is a lovely way to enjoy a home cooked meal and meet your neighbours. Weekly cooks/budding chefs always welcome to prepare the meal.
The village hall has a Facebook page and website with upcoming events. Please follow us!!
St Michael’s Church
The church stands in the centre of the village set back from the Village Green. It is built of dressed flint, with lime mortar render and is in the early English and Perpendicular styles. Distinctive architectural features include; C18th Box Pews installed in 1715; a wagon roof; a collection of hatchments; several stained glass windows and monuments and memorials to the Beaumont, Putt and Marker families – the successive owners of the Combe Estate. A church bell rings from the tower every hour.
Whatever your religion, it is a beautiful building and well worth a visit.
Church services, are listed on the entrance of church and on our lively ‘Whatsapp’ group
The Gittisham ‘whatsapp’ group is a hive of information that can provide up to date information, and upcoming events in the village …Please speak to Alex to be added to our friendly group.
- Drawing By Octavia Madden
The Bus Shelter
Situated 50m from the village hall across the small bridge.
Stagecoach run bus services (44) to Honiton and Exeter and the Stagecoach 44A bus for routes to Axminster and beyond. Bus times can vary depending on weather and roadworks so we encourage residents to use bustimes.org or the Stagecoach website to avoid disappointment.
There is also the Dartline 387 Sidmouth – Honiton – Taunton Bus
Buses also run from the Gittisham Vale Estate. The nearest bus stop is located at Devonshire Road.
The bus shelter in the village also serves as a place residents can leave any unwanted, good quality items/books that others may find a home. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often there …so help yourself!!
Table tennis bats, balls and a Boules set are located in the bus shelter for use in the children play area where you will find swings, slides and an array of children’s playground equipment. (Please No Dogs!)
Defibrillator
Hopefully you will never require it…Dial 999 in an emergency …
It is situated in the ‘Red Telephone Box’ to the right of the bus shelter.
Sovereign Housing Block F (Gittisham Vale Estate) Longland’s Way EX14 3FX
Old Elm Road at the Junction of Honeysuckle Drive
There are also Defibrillators located in Tesco Supermarket and several on the Heathpark Ind Estate
Walks Around Gittisham
There are many walks around our village either through rolling fields or country lanes. One public footpath. Most of the land around our village is still owned by Combe Estate so please be respectful when walking with a dog. Please leave only footprints!! A walk up the drive next to the Village Hall to the ‘Pig at Combe’ is a must, a former Grade 1 listed Manor House. Situated high up, with breathtaking views where you can while away the hours with a drink at the Folly, eating in the delightful restaurant or a stroll around the beautiful grounds and Kitchen Gardens.
Waste collection
Refuse Bins, Recycling Box / Sack, Green waste and food caddies are collected regularly in the village and at Gittisham Vale. Downloading the EDDC app is a good way of finding out the date of your next collection. Green Garden waste bins can also be obtained.
Recycling of waste on the Gittisham Vale estate and in the village is normally on a Wednesday (every week). Grey landfill every third week on a Wednesday.
Royal Mail Post Box
Royal Mail Post box is situated not far from the Village Hall and just tucked away opposite the Bus Shelter by The Old Bakery. Royal Mail Post Box on the Gittisham Vale Estate is situated on Old Elm Road /Cherry Close and opposite Lidl Supermarket at the entrance to the Honiton Business Park.
There are several websites with a wealth of information about our beautiful village. Please take time to look and find out more!!
All your neighbours are very friendly and can always point you in the right direction should you have a problem or need advice.
Above all enjoy your time with us and being part of our friendly community!
Map of Village
Gittisham Parish Council January 2026