The village of Newton St Cyres grew up near a ford across the Shuttern brook. The church stands on a steep rise, but now it looks across the busy A377 that links Crediton and Exeter. The oldest part of the church is the west tower, built in the late 13th century, but the bulk of the church we see today is 14th century, with the addition of a 16th century north aisle. Most of the church is in early Perpendicular style, built of local reddish 'trap', a volcanic stone from quarries at Posbury, with the exception of the nave pillars, which are of Beer stone. The nave and chancel are barell-vaulted, with some beautifully crafted bosses, including an unusual Three Hares boss (with three hares sharing three ears). The pulpit is Georgian, with carved panels from the state rooms of Saltram House, near Plymouth. It was originally designed as a 'triple-decker', with stalls for the clerk and priest below the pulpit itself. The lectern is oak, made from the bell frame of Exeter Cathedral, with a lovely 16th century Flemish carving showing Jesus washing his disciples' feet. The font is modern, but against the north aisle wall is the base of a 13th-century font found buried in the churchyard. There is a 14th-century piscina in the Lady Chapel, at the east end of the north aisle. On the east wall of this chapel is an aumbry, or cupboard, with a carved 16th century Flemish door. Do take time to explore the exterior of the church. Just to the left of the main south door, attached to the side of the tower, is a sundial, dated 1817. Around the north side of the church are several extremely interesting carvings adorning the large Perpendicular windows. One fascinating carving shows a strange winged beast standing atop a grimacing face.
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