Beating the Bounds

Widecombe Parish Celebrates the Completion of Beating the Bounds 2026

In September 2026, residents, visitors and friends of the parish came together to complete the ancient tradition of Beating the Bounds of Widecombe Parish.

Over three days, participants walked the full extent of the historic parish boundary, crossing moorland, farmland, valleys, rivers, tracks and lanes that have defined Widecombe for centuries. The event marked the successful completion of the first organised parish-wide perambulation since the year 2000, reconnecting people with a tradition that has long helped communities understand, preserve and pass on knowledge of their place.

At the start of each walk, participants gathered to hear a proclamation reflecting the purpose of the occasion:

“Let it be known that on this the XX day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six the people of Widecombe gather to walk the ancient bounds of our parish. We come together in the spirit of those who walked before us, to remember the lines that shape our community, to honour the stories held in our landscape, and to pass this knowledge to those who will follow.

As we trace these historic boundaries, we affirm our connection to the moor, the lanes, the rivers, the stones, and to one another. May this walk strengthen our sense of place, deepen our understanding of our heritage, and celebrate the shared stewardship of the parish we call home.

With goodwill, companionship, and respect for the land, we now begin our beating of the bounds.”

Throughout the three days, walkers paused at boundary markers and significant landmarks along the route. At each point, the boundary was formally marked by tapping the stone while proclaiming:

“Here we mark the bounds of Widecombe Parish, remembering those who walked before us and keeping the knowledge of our boundary alive.”

These simple acts connected participants with countless generations who understood that parish boundaries were far more than lines on a map. They were part of a shared understanding of community, stewardship and belonging.

The walks also offered a unique opportunity to rediscover the remarkable heritage that lies within the parish landscape. Along the route, participants visited and recorded twenty-four boundary markers, many with their own names, histories and local stories. The perambulation encouraged people to look again at archaeological and historic features that are often seen in daily life but whose significance may not always be appreciated.

The natural landscape itself plays an important role in defining the parish boundary. Walkers visited four important river junctions including the confluence of the East and West Dart at Dartmeet and the meeting of the East and West Webburn at Lizwell Meet. These locations have for generations formed part of the boundary between neighbouring parishes and illustrate how rivers, landmarks and topography have shaped local identity.

Alongside the historical and geographical discoveries, the three walks provided an opportunity for participants to learn more about the development of the parish and the stories embedded within its landscape. Just as importantly, they fostered a strong sense of companionship and shared purpose. Walkers supported one another across challenging terrain, exchanged memories and local knowledge, and celebrated together the achievement of completing the route.

A Celebration at the Church House

Following the completion of the final walk, participants gathered at the Church House for a traditional cream tea and a chance to celebrate the achievement together. Commemorative mugs were presented to all participants, while medals were awarded to those who completed all three sections of the boundary walk. It was a fitting conclusion to three memorable days, bringing together walkers, volunteers, supporters and friends to celebrate the successful revival of an ancient tradition and the shared achievement of walking the bounds of Widecombe Parish.

Film & Radio

Recording a Tradition for Future Generations
An important part of Beating the Bounds 2026 was the creation of a documentary film recording the event and its significance. Throughout the three days, local filmmakers Philip and Sarah Reeve followed the walkers as they traced the parish boundary, capturing the people, places and stories encountered along the way.

The film will explore the history of Beating the Bounds, participants’ reasons for taking part, and the challenges and achievements of the journey, while showcasing the character and beauty of the parish landscape. Having lived in Widecombe for more than thirty years, Philip and Sarah bring a deep understanding of the parish and its heritage to the project.

The completed project will include a series of short social media films, a three-minute highlights film and a longer documentary, creating a lasting record of Beating the Bounds 2026 for parish residents and future generations.

BBC Radio 4 Visits the Bounds
During the second day’s walk, we were joined by Fiona Clampin, journalist and presenter with BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today. At the time, the programme was preparing a series exploring the theme of boundaries and was keen to learn more about the tradition of Beating the Bounds and its continuing relevance today.

Fiona accompanied walkers along part of the route, recording interviews and capturing the experience of marking the parish boundary. The resulting feature was selected to introduce the week-long series and was broadcast on 5 October 2026.

You can listen to the programme via BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0032fbm

A Community Effort

Widecombe Parish Council would like to express its sincere thanks to everyone who helped make Beating the Bounds 2026 such a memorable and successful event.

We are especially grateful to the many landowners whose kindness, support and willingness to grant access made it possible to complete the full parish perambulation. The historic boundary traverses a diverse landscape of farms, commons, woodland, river valleys and moorland. Without the cooperation and goodwill of landowners, it would not have been possible to follow the boundary in a meaningful and authentic way. Their support allowed participants to experience parts of the parish rarely visited, helping to reconnect the community with its historic boundaries and landscape.

Thanks are also due to the volunteer walk leaders, first aiders, our support team and everyone who contributed time, knowledge and enthusiasm to the planning and delivery of the project. Their commitment ensured the walks were safe, enjoyable and informative for all involved.

The Parish Council is particularly grateful for the support received through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. This funding recognised the value of reconnecting people with the heritage, history and landscape of the parish and helped make the project possible. The grant has supported not only the perambulation itself but also the recording of the event through film, ensuring that the knowledge, stories and experiences gathered during the walks can be preserved and shared with future generations.

Finally, thank you to everyone who took part. Whether walking a single section or completing all three days, each participant played a part in reviving an ancient tradition and ensuring that knowledge of the parish boundary is passed on to those who will follow.

Looking Forward

Beating the Bounds 2026 has been a celebration of heritage, community and place. By walking the bounds together, the people of Widecombe have reaffirmed their connection to the parish and ensured that this historic tradition will continue to inspire future generations. The Parish Council is committed to ensuring that Beating the Bounds becomes a more regular event in the life of the parish, so that future generations can experience this unique tradition without having to wait another 26 years to walk the bounds together.

The 2026 route at a glance

Day 1 Saturday 12 September Hemsworthy Gate to Ephraim’s Pinch 13.4 km  – ascent 378 m

Day 2 Saturday 19 September Ephraim’s Pinch to Newbridge 13.8 km – ascent 250 m

Day 3 Sunday 27 September Newbridge to Hemsworthy Gate 9.3 km – ascent 440 m

Number of boundary stones acknowledged 23

Number of River confluences 4

Total Complete parish boundary 36.5 km – ascent 1,068 m

Distances and ascent are based on the planned routes.