East Budleigh is an ancient village, well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 and called Bodelie in the Domesday Book.

East Budleigh was probably settled by invading Saxons during the late 7th or early 8th century. In the Domesday Survey of 1086 a substantial Royal manor was described with boundaries approximating those of the present parish. It most probably had a church in Saxon times, standing in the prominent position where the present church now stands.

The birth place of Sir Walter Raleigh, now known as Hayes Barton, is in Hayes Lane about one mile outside the village. The Raleigh family settled in East Budleigh around 1537 and leased Hayes Barton from the Duke family, who owned it for 400 years. Sir Walter Raleigh was born there in 1552.

Roger Conant, founding father of the city of Salem , Massachusetts , was also born in East Budleigh. He sailed for America in 1623 and, together with a band of courageous followers, established a new settlement at a place called Nahum Keike, an Indian name, later changed to Salem , "city of peace". A bronze statue of Roger Conant now stands outside the Witch Museum in Salem .

Hayes Barton

(Birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh)

Vicar's Mead , erected in 1485, was the old Vicarage House used by successive vicars until the 19th century. The young Walter Raleigh was educated here. A secret passage leading to a cellar was probably used for smuggling brandy and other contraband in the 19th century. At that time East Budleigh was a centre for the distribution of smuggled goods. Vicar's Mead, the church and its environs were used to hide the contraband. The Reverend Ambrose Stapleton was vicar for 58 years and resident in Vicar's Mead until his death in 1852. He was a vigorous, kindly man who preached tremendous sermons but who was also involved in the lucrative trade of smuggling.

High Street, East Budleigh

All Saints is an exceptionally fine church, largely 15th century and built on a lofty eminence overlooking the village. The list of Vicars goes back to Stephen, 1261. Sir Walter Raleigh's father was churchwarden here in 1561, and the Raleigh pew (1537) is the second on the north side of the nave.

There is much of interest to be seen, including many carved benches of the 16th century. An illustrated guide book can be bought in the church.