During
World War II, the
RAF Winkleigh Airfield was used by the
RNoAF from 1944 as the main training Centre in the UK after Norway shifted from
Little Norway in
Toronto Canada to re-locate the training facilities to a place nearer to the
War theatre. The former RAF base is now the site of the West of England Transport Collection, which stores over 200 cars, lorries and buses of historical interest. It is not normally open to the public. In 1975 the
deaths of three members of the Luxton family at nearby West Chapple Farm, brought media interest to the area. A book
Earth to Earth by
John Cornwell was published about this murder and suicide case in 1982. The village was the location of Inch's Cider, producers of
White Lightning cider. Inch's Cider was bought by
H. P. Bulmer, who then closed the plant down. However some of those involved in the original enterprise now run Winkleigh Cider on the Hatherleigh Road.{{cite web Local businesses and organisations include a health centre (a branch of the Wallingbrook Surgery in
Chulmleigh), a convenience store, a
post office, a butchers shop, a florists, a cafe, a veterinary practice, two public houses, and Winkleigh sports centre. Winkleigh also has a primary school. ==Berner's Cross==