BICKLEIGH is a small village on the western side of the river Plym, in the picturesque vale to which it gives name, six miles N. by E. of Plymouth. Its parish contains 469 souls, and 2980 acres of land, including the village of Jump, and many scattered houses. Bickleigh Vale is much reorted to by anglers and the lovers of woodland scenery, who find excellent entertainment at Maristow Inn. The Plymouth and Devonport leats, and Dartmoor Railway, cross this parish; and at Jump are two annual fairs, on the third Wednesdays in April and September. The manor was long held by Buckland Abbey, and afterwards by the Slannings, Modyfords, and Heywoods, the latter of whom sold it to S. M. M. Lopes, in 1798. Sir Ralph Lopes, Bart., is now lord of the manor, owner of most of the soil, impropriator of the rectory, and patron of the vicarage, valued in K.B. at £11. 7s, 4d. and in 1831 at £300, with the perpetual curacy of Sheepstor annexed to it. The Rev. J. D. Cork, M.A., is the incumbent, and has a good residence, recently enlarged. The Church was rebuilt by Sir R. Lopes, in 1839, except the tower, which contains six bells. The interior is neatly fitted up, and the east window is enriched with stained glass. The poor have £100 three per cent. consols, purchased with the gifts of Elizabeth Modyford and John Herring.
