The historic village of Colaton Raleigh was mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086.  Farming has always been part of village life, and the village has links to Sir Walter Raleigh, who was baptised here.

Colaton Raleigh Village Hall dates from 1840, originally built as the parish school under Reverend Robert Greenwood (his plaque still sits above the door). The school closed in the 1950s when education was amalgamated to nearby villages, and the building was then put to use as the village hall. In recent years the hall has undergone significant modernisation, supported in part by the generous legacy gifted by the 
late-Mr and Mrs Attwood -  a lasting contribution to the community.

St John the Baptist Church has stood in the village for nearly a thousand years. The tower is the oldest part of the building; parts of the nave are medieval, the chancel and chapel area were rebuilt in the mid- 1800s.  The church has recently undergone roof refurbishment including cut, patterned heather Welsh slates.  Inside, it features a fine example of sgraffito work and notable stained glass.  The bell tower houses a company of six bells, rung in the local Devon call-ringing tradition.  The bells were refurbished for the millennium.  

A walk through the village reveals many attractive and engaging features, including cobblestone walls, the village wells and pumps, and a mix of vernacular and period architecture - such as the Regency-style windows of the village hall.