View of South Zeal

The village of South Zeal developed into the largest and most populous settlement in the South Tawton parish through a license, (granted in 1299), permitting a weekly market and two annual fairs. Since then, trade and woollen manufacture has dominated the area's industry, supporting local service infrastructure, including a bakery, five pubs, a tailor and a shoe maker. Later in the nineteenth century, copper was mined in the area. Modern South Zeal has seen these industries decline, and now serves to accommodate the rural tourist industry.