Heanton Punchardon: hamlet (church, some ancient, but mostly 20th cent. dwellings) on high land looking over soft, rolling farmland.

HEANTON PUNCHARDON. St. Augustine. The parish is called after Robert de Punchardon, who came over with William the Conqueror [r. 1066-1087], and received the Manor of Heanton from Baldwin the Sheriff. His descendants in the direct male line held the manor till the end of the 13th century, when Sir John Punchardon divided his estates between his three daughters.

The church, which is Early English, was thoroughly restored in 1889. It consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch, and embattled west tower containing six bells. The rood screen has been restored ], but a good deal of the original work remains. The portion across the nave is complete with groining, cornices, cresting and doors.