Nestling in its sheltered valley, Cockington's famous 450 acre estate and thatched village has a fascinating and varied history. Its earliest written record is found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was documented as a well-established and busy farming community.

We have old maps, old photographs as well as the historic buildings themselves which all help to piece together the story of Cockington over the centuries.

Particularly important features include:

• The Court itself with its outbuildings, walled gardens, parkland, woodland and fish ponds. The oldest parts of the existing building dates back to Tudor times (16 th Century), however the Court was altered and extended in the 17 th Century and again in the 19 th Century.
• The Norman Church (Tower 13 th Century).
• The Higher Lodge (Tudor origins, present building 1830's).
• The Lower Lodge (1840's).
• The Village Forge (with its origins in the 14 th Century).
• The Mill Wheel and Mill Pond (a mill has existed in the village since Medieval times).
• The 17 th and 18 th Century Thatched Village dwellings.
• The early 19 th Century Gamekeepers Cottage (site of one of the Trust's Field Centres).
• Warren Barn, a 19 th Century `Out-Farm'.
• Site of Medieval Plague Pits.

• We can trace the history of Cockington, of its villagers and Lords of the Manor, over time for the key stage 2 local history study.
• We can focus on Cockington in Tudor* or Victorian times for key stage 2, section 8a.
• The Squire of the Manor of Cockington, George Cary, was responsible for a Spanish Galleon and Spanish prisoners of war in Torbay (held in the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey) after the defeat of the Armada. He was later knighted by Elizabeth I.
• We can focus on life in Cockington and the influence of the Church in Medieval times.
• Cockington provides an excellent case study, enabling us to follow the changes in Agriculture and Rural Life in Britain 1750 – 1900. Due to its close proximity to Torquay it also has a story to tell regarding the rapid development of the area due to Victorian Tourism.

A detailed plan of the visit will be drawn up after discussion with the visiting group leader.

Timing: Half day, full day or longer.
Age range : 7 - 16 yrs (KS2, 3 and 4)

Key Stage 1
Unit 6b – Way of life of local people in the past
Key Stage 2
Unit 7 – Local history study
Unit 8a – Tudor times; Victorian Britain
Key Stage 3
Unit 8 - Britain 1066 – 1500 (Medieval society)
Unit 9 - Britain 1500 –1750
Unit 10 - Britain 1750 – 1900 (Industrialisation; changes in agriculture and rural life)

Relevant units from QCA Schemes of Work

Yr. 3 or 4 - Unit 8 - What were the differences between the lives of rich and poor people in Tudor times?
Yr. 3 or 4 - Unit 18 – What was it like to live here in the past?
Yr. 5 or 6 - Unit 12 – How did life change in our locality in Victorian times?
Yr. 7 - Unit 3 - How hard was life for medieval people in town and country?
Yr. 7 - Unit 4 - How did the medieval church affect peoples lives?
Yr. 8 - Unit 11 - Industrial Changes: action and reaction.