COFTON, an ecclesiastical district formed out of Dawlish and Kenton, Feb. 5, 1864, comprises the hamlets of Cockwood, Eastdon, Middlewood, Westwood, the Warren, Week and Shutterton; it is 1 mile south from Starcross station on the Great Western railway and about 3 north from Dawlish, and consists of several villa residences, three inns, farms and cottages scattered over a wide area, and is in the Mid division of the county, Exminster hundred, Teignbridge petty sessional division, Newton Abbot union and county court district, rural deanery of Kenn, and archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter. The church of St. Mary is an ancient building in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and a western turret containing one bell: it was erected probably not later than the 13th century, and was served in early times by the vicars of Dawlish; after having remained in a ruinous state for more than 70 years, it was restored by William Courtenay, 11th earl of Devon, and reopened for divine service Jan. 9, 1839; a handsome stone reredos has been presented by Viscount Halifax, the chancel repaired, and the walls within the sacrarium lined with tiles; a new reading desk has also been added: the stained east window is a memorial to the Courtenay family, and the west window to the Rev. John Nicholas Lightfoot M.A. 26 years pastor and first vicar here, who died Feb. 12, 1884: there is another memorial window to Charles Eales, of Eastdon, principal clerk of committees in the House of Commons and J.P. (Devon), who died Oct. 22, 1881: in the chancel is a monument with Latin inscription to Dr. George Kendall, ob. Aug. 19, 1663: in 1891 the chancel and nave were new roofed at a cost of £100: there are 100 sittings: there is a graveyard attached to the church, and well kept. The register dates from the year 1864. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £133, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Devon, and held since 1891 by the Rev. Charles Francis Benthall M.A. of Pembroke College, Cambridge, who resides at Cockwood. The parish room was built in 1893, at a cost (including site) of £400. There is also a chapel for Plymouth Brethren. The population in 1891 was 401.

Board School, Cockwood (taken over by the Dawlish board in 1874); it will hold 85 children; average attendance, 65.