North Molton Village

North Molton sits on the south-western edge of Exmoor National Park, about 3 miles from the market town of South Molton and the A361 link road. Set in glorious countryside, the village and outlying hamlets and farms are currently home to around thirteen hundred residents. It is a happy, thriving community with a primary school, two churches, two pubs, a garage, a hairdressers and a variety of home-based businesses. There are two well-supported village halls and a sports club boasting football and cricket pitches and an indoor sports hall and pavilion.

The spirit of the community is captured in the book North Molton a celebration of the people and history of North Molton published by the North Molton History Society. The village was originally founded on the very successful wool trade, followed by a brief spell as a mining village. As the local saying goes "When North Molton was a thriving town South Molton was still a fuzzy down".

Defibrillator locations:
  • North Molton Village - The Poltimore Inn porch (sedative.segregate.enacts)
  • North Molton Village - The Sports Club (aquatics.showering.pillow)
  • Heasley Mill - The Old Phonebox (remedy.purse.tomorrow)
  • Twitchen – Twitchen Village Hall (clearcut.loops.shams)

How to use the defibrillator.

A defibrillator (AED = Automated External Defibrillator) will talk you through how to use it - so do not worry about getting things wrong - the machine will be in control.

However, if you would like to be mentally prepared beforehand, please watch the St John's Ambulance video here, and the HeartSine video here (the defibrillator at The Politmore Arms is this model). The defibrillator should have a Resus pack containing a resuscitation mask, scissors for removing clothing, and a razor for shaving a patch on a hairy chest (the pads may not stick otherwise). Please note that these videos are examples of how to use a defibrillator and are not being promoted here as an effective way to learn CPR.

Important Information

Notification of Road Closure - FORE STREET, NORTH MOLTON

Notification of Road Closure on FORE STREET, NORTH MOLTON

We are writing to inform you that South West Water has applied for a road closure to complete utility works outside Red Lion Cottage to near 1 New Oaks. These works, subject to approval from Devon Highways, will take place between 07/07/2025 and 11/07/2025. All efforts will be made to maintain access to properties within the area of the closure and minimise disruption.

If you require further information, please contact the Helpline on 0344 346 2020.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, we’ll make sure the work is completed as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption.  

South West Water

 

Highways

North Devon Link Road - June update

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Newsletter for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Newsletters.

For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE

Highways

A361 update June 2025

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE.

Highways

Weed Spraying Tuesday 17th June 2025

The Parish Council's contractor will be spraying weeds along the roads and pavements in the village next Tuesday (17th June), weather permitting.  The spray is safe to use in public areas. Anyone who has not previously notified Liz Bulled that you don't want the plants sprayed outside your house, please get in touch with her (details under Parish Council).

Spraying

North Molton Parish Footpaths

North Molton Parish Footpath Officer, Steph Harris, has created an excellent poster for the public rights of way in the Parish, attached to this post.

If you find a problem on a footpath, if it is in the Exmoor National Park, report it here.  Otherwise, report here. Please also drop the Clerk an email so that we can keep track of resolution of issues (clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk).

Please remember that you are responsible for your safety, control of dogs, appropriate behaviour around livestock, and using public and private land with care.  You can find the Countryside Code here.

Happy trails!

Footpaths Rights of Way

Tarr Steps circuit bridge closure May 2025

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has announced the necessary closure of a popular Somerset footbridge for public safety and is working on a plan for a long-term replacement, and to reinstate public access on the permissive footpath that crosses Hinds Pitt Bridge near the Tarr Steps. 

Access and Recreation Manager for ENPA Dan Barnett said:

“Unfortunately, the bridge above Hinds Pitt Pool that forms part of the popular Tarr Steps circular walk has had to be closed due to structural failure and for public safety. The bridge has been there since the 1950’s and some key parts of the steel structure have deteriorated to a point where they are no longer safe (see photos below). We hope to replace the bridge and secure public access once again here for the future, but it will take some time to develop a plan in agreement with the relevant landowners and to raise the considerable funds required.

It is possible that we can do some temporary modifications to allow the bridge to reopen while we plan for its replacement, and we are looking into that urgently. In the meantime, the Tarr Steps site is otherwise open for everyone to enjoy, including short walks there and back on either side of the river and all the longer walks in the area are fully open too. The popular long distance footpath the Two Moors Way is still passable using an alternative route on the west bank of the river.”

Footpaths

Highways update 31st May 2025

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE.Highways

Highways

How to build your dream home for £99,000 or less

Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) is a voluntary group of young people from across Exmoor, seeking viable and sustainable ‘life’ and ‘work’ opportunities for young residents. They tackle many issues for young people on the moor, including housing, digital inclusion, employment, communications, travel and local wages.

EVY have kindly provided two copies of the Justin Tyers book "How to self build your dream home for £99,000 - or less!" to North Molton Parish Council and you can arrange to borrow a copy for up to 2 months from the Parish Clerk - contact via nmpclerk@gmail.com.  This is only a loan, and return is expected so that others can also benefit from the EYV donation.

Alternatively, you can go to the EYV page and find out how to get your own copy.

Exmoor Young Voices Housing

North Molton Transport

South Molton - North Molton Route 856 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri and some bank holidays)
Stagecoach South West. Timetable valid from 5 Sep 2021 until further notice
South Molton, Broad Street Depart: 09:15 12:15 14:15
North Molton, Bridge Depart: 09:30 12:30 14:30
North Molton, Square Depart: 09:32 12:32 14:32
South Molton, King Street Arrive: 09:45 12:45 14:45

Other useful links

Stagecoach 155 South Molton to Barnstaple timetable Stagecoach timetables - downloadable versions National Express Website Great Western Railway website National Rail Journey Planner

North & South Molton Taxis

  • A & L01769 572169
  • Bry Cabs07449 262008
  • South Molton Taxi Service Ltd01769 573636
  • Mr Thornton B-line Taxis01271 322117
North Molton Car Share Facebook Group
North Molton Transport

Laurels Playground

North Molton Playground

Sited in the play area of the Old School which closed in 1992, the Laurels Playground provides a safe enclosed area for children. The Parish Council began renovation in 2020, and so far equipment installed includes a ride-on tractor, 3-way see-saw, a slide with rope ladder, a new swing with an accessible basket, and an in-ground trampoline that can hold up to 5 children and is accessible to wheelchair users.

Coloured hopscotch graphics and a large mural designed by local children brighten up the area.

Work is ongoing to repair the rear wall and old iron railings, a lovely feature of the playground. Many kind donations from individuals have been made towards the renovation, and residents have given their time and energy in helping with the restoration. Support has also come from fundraising events, The National Lottery, Griffiths, the Freemasons, North Devon Atlantic Scramble Club, and the local government development levy grant (S106).

North Molton Book Box

A few years ago, North Molton Parish Council purchased the redundant telephone box in the village square from BT for the princely sum of £1.00. After a few repairs, and thanks to Cllr Anne Johnson being able to locate replacement perspex panels, we were able to turn it into the phone box library in 2021. Our library is available to all, residents and visitors alike.

The premise is simple. Books for all ages are welcome, and anyone can take or donate books (we check for suitably and cleanliness on a regular basis). When we have a surplus, and to keep them refreshed, we either store excess books or donate them to one of the charity shops in South Molton.

If you would like further information or have questions, please contact Councillor Hugh Jennings.

North Molton Book Box

North Molton Key Contacts

North Molton Contacts
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) 999
Flood information: flash flooding, check for flooding, and sign up for flood warnings.
Devon and Cornwall Police Non-emergency 101 101@dc.police.uk
To report a crime (non-emergency): use the D&CP web form or Crimestoppers.
South Molton Police Station
Victim Care - Victims of crime support 0808 168 91111
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service 0333 3990014 (non-emergency)
North Devon District Hospital 01271 322577
South Molton Medical Centre 01769 573101
South West Water
Western Power/National Grid (electricity) Emergency 0800 052 0400
Report a power cut
British Gas Emergency 0800 111 999
North Devon - Waste and Recycling
(including bin days and recycling advice)		 Emergency 0800 111 999
Devon Highways - report a problem Emergency 0345 155 1004
Potholes - report via the Devon Highways Website
Footpaths - report a problem
Faulty streetlights - report online
North Molton Car Share Facebook Group
North Devon Animal Ambulance
North Devon District Council
Devon Country Council

Dog Fouling

North Devon Council wishes to remind anyone in charge of a dog that it is an offence to allow your dog to foul in a publicly accessible area without cleaning it up. This includes in car parks, recreation and sports grounds, parks, pavements as well as verges, footpaths and beaches. Failure to do so or leaving it to collect later (or even hanging it on a tree) can still result in a fixed penalty of £75 (or a maximum of £1000). Report dog fouling incidents using the NDC online form.

Lost or found dogs, see the North Devon dogs pages

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