Ashburton, Devon

Town in Devon, England

Human settlement in England

Ashburton

West Street, Ashburton

Ashburton

Location within Devon

Population| 4,170
OS grid reference| SX756698
Civil parish|

* Ashburton

District|

* Teignbridge

Shire county|

* Devon

Region|

* South West

Country| England
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| NEWTON ABBOT
Postcode district| TQ13
Dialling code| 01364
Police| Devon and Cornwall
Fire| Devon and Somerset
Ambulance| South Western
UK Parliament|

* Central Devon

List of places

England
Devon

50°31′01″N 3°45′04″W﻿ / ﻿50.517°N 3.751°W﻿ / 50.517; -3.751

Ashburton is a town on the south-southeastern edge of Dartmoor in Devon, England, adjacent to the A38. The town is 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Plymouth and 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Exeter.

It was formerly important as a stannary town (a centre for the administration of tin-mining), and remains the largest town within the national park. Ashburton has two pubs within the centre of town and six restaurants/cafés. The town is also part of the electoral ward named Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, the population of which at the 2011 census was 7,718.[1]

## History[edit]

The town's name derives from the Old English æsc-burna-tun meaning 'farm/settlement with a stream frequented by ash trees'.[2]

The name is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as Essebretone. Ashburton was then the main town of the Parish of Ashburton, in Teignbridge Hundred. During the English Civil War, Ashburton was a temporary refuge for Royalist troops fleeing after their defeat by General Fairfax at nearby Bovey Tracey.

The town was the terminus of the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway that opened on 1 May 1872. Ashburton railway station closed to passengers in November 1958 although goods traffic on the line continued until 7 September 1962. Links to Buckfastleigh and Totnes are maintained by Country Bus route 88 which also serves Newton Abbot.

Ashburton used to be famous for a beverage known as Ashburton Pop, possibly a type of champagne, the recipe of which was lost with the brewer in 1765.[3][4]

Ashburton Carnival is one of the oldest, possibly the oldest, surviving in Devon. Written records date it back to 1891, but it is believed to have been started in the mid-1880s to raise funds for a new hospital.

Ashburton Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1910. The club continued into the 1920s.[5]

Ashmoor Hockey Club was formed in 2003 and plays at South Dartmoor Community College.

## Politics[edit]

Ashburton was the first place to elect a candidate of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party to public office. The candidate was Alan Hope, a local publican, who was elected unopposed to Ashburton Town Council in 1989. He subsequently became deputy mayor and later mayor of Ashburton.

The town is one of a few to still annually appoint a portreeve or 'port warden'. Others are Laugharne, Beccles, Callington (where the name is given to the council chairman), Cheevel, and Yeovil.

## Sites of interest[edit]

Ashburton Town Hall

The parish church of St Andrew is a Grade One Building and a fine building of the 15th century with a tall tower and two aisles. The 15th-century church tower includes sculptures by Herbert Edmund Read (1885–1951), who also carved the oak reredos; this is not the art historian Herbert Read. One window has stained glass designed by C. E. Kempe. The porch is partly Norman.[6]

St Lawrence Chapel is a Grade II* Listed Building in St Lawrence Lane in the centre of the town. Originally a chantry chapel and then a grammar school for over 600 years, St Lawrence Chapel is now an important heritage, cultural and community centre, managed by the Guild of St Lawrence.[7]

The town's old Methodist Church (Grade II listed) at 15 West St was built in 1835.[8] In 2015 the Methodist congregation moved to the nearby St Andrew's Church Hall. Their previous building was sold by public auction on 19 July 2017, when it was bought by Ashburton Arts Ltd (a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee) using funds donated or loaned by members of the community. The building now houses Ashburton Arts Centre.[9]

St Gudula's Well and Cross in Old Totnes Road is probably named after St Gulval, also honoured at the village of Gulval in Cornwall.[10]

Ashburton Town Hall was originally built as a market hall in 1850.[11]

## Notable people[edit]

* William Howard Allen (1790–1822), United States naval officer, interned for 18 months in Ashburton
* Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton (1774–1848), politician and financier
* William Bickford (1774–1834), inventor of the safety fuse used in the mining industry
* Sir Henry Carew, 7th Baronet (1779–1830), Member of Parliament for Ashburton
* Richard Carlile (1790–1843), political agitator
* Athel Cornish-Bowden (born 1943), biochemist, born in Ashburton
* Edward Dowson (cricketer, born 1880), died in Ashburton in 1933
* John Dunning, 1st Baron Ashburton (1731–1783), lawyer and politician, born in Ashburton
* Harry Eve (1856–1940), barrister, judge and politician, represented Ashburton in Parliament
* Cecil Mallaby Firth (1878–1931), Egyptologist, baptised in Ashburton
* William Gifford (1756–1826), critic, editor and poet
* Christopher Hutton (1893–1965) soldier, airman, journalist and inventor, retired to Ashburton
* John Ireland (Anglican priest) (1761–1842), born in Ashburton and taught in the grammar school
* Charles Eamer Kempe (1837–1907), designer of the stained glass windows in St. Andrew's Church
* Barrie Matthews (born 1943), cricketer, born in Ashburton
* Jim McNichol (born 1958) professional footballer, operated the Exeter Inn in Ashburton
* Sir Robert Palk, 1st Baronet (1717–1798), born in Ashburton, MP for Ashburton
* Richard Preston (MP) (1768–1850), legal author and politician, born in Ashburton and member of parliament for Ashburton
* Stevie Smith (1902–1971), poet and novelist, died in Ashburton
* Laurence Sulivan (1713–1786), Member of Parliament for Ashburton
* John Swete (1752–1821), clergyman, landowner, artist, antiquary, historian and topographer, born in Ashburton
* Thomas Glanville Taylor (1804–1848), astronomer, born and educated in Ashburton
* Robert Richard Torrens (1812–1884), parliamentarian, writer and land reformer, lived in Ashburton
* Charles Tucker (British Army officer) (1838–1935), born in Ashburton
* Ollie Watkins (born 1995) is an England International professional footballer and he was educated at South Dartmoor Community College
* William John Wills (1834–1861), explorer, attended St Andrew's Grammar School in Ashburton

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Ward population 2011". Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
2. ^ "Key to English Place-names". kepn.nottingham.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
3. ^ "The Noted John Cooke of Exeter" Archived 23 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine, The Every-day Book and Table Book; or, Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs, and Events, Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days, in Past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Months, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac, Including Accounts of the Weather, Rules for Health and Conduct, Remarkable and Important Anecdotes, Facts, and Notices, in Chronology, Antiquities, Topography, Biography, Natural History, Art, Science and General Literature; Derived from the Most Authentic Sources, and Valuable Original Communication, with Poetical Elucidations, for Daily Use and Diversion. Vol III., ed. William Hone, (London: 1838) p 356. Retrieved on 2008-11-21
4. ^ "Ashburton Pop corks", Notes and Queries 1937 172: 50
5. ^ “Ashburton Golf Club” Archived 6 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, "Golf’s Missing Links".
6. ^ Pevsner, N. (1952) South Devon, Penguin Books; pp. 38-39
7. ^ Historic England. "Chapel of St Lawrence (1207789)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
8. ^ Historic England. "Ashburton Methodist Church (1282869)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
9. ^ "Welcome to Ashburton Arts". Retrieved 27 December 2021.
10. ^ Historic England. "St Gudula's Well, including steps and retaining wall (1201014)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
11. ^ Historic England. "Town Hall, North Street (1201012)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 December 2021.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ashburton.

* Official town website
* Ashburton, Devon at Curlie
* Devon Local Studies - Ashburton community page
* Ashburton in the Domesday Book
* Ashburton travel guide from Wikivoyage

* v
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Ceremonial county of Devon

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(cities in italics)|

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See also: List of civil parishes in Devon

Rivers|

* Ashburn
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* v
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Settlements of Dartmoor, Devon

* Ashburton
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* v
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Civil parishes in the ceremonial county of Devon

List of civil parishes in Devon

Exeter1,2|

* None

East Devon1|

* All Saints
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* Upton Pyne
* West Hill
* Whimple
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* Woodbury
* Yarcombe

Mid Devon1|

* Bampton
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* Stoodleigh
* Templeton
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* Uffculme
* Uplowman
* Upton Hellions
* Washfield
* Washford Pyne
* Wembworthy
* Willand
* Woolfardisworthy
* Zeal Monachorum

North Devon1|

* Arlington
* Ashford
* Atherington
* Barnstaple
* Berrynarbor
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* Bittadon
* Bratton Fleming
* Braunton
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* Combe Martin
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* Ilfracombe
* Instow
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* Knowstone
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* Lynton and Lynmouth
* Mariansleigh
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* Queen's Nympton
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* Romansleigh
* Rose Ash
* Satterleigh and Warkleigh
* Shirwell
* South Molton
* Stoke Rivers
* Swimbridge
* Tawstock
* Trentishoe
* Twitchen
* West Anstey
* West Down
* Westleigh
* Witheridge

Torridge1|

* Abbots Bickington
* Abbotsham
* Alverdiscott
* Alwington
* Ashreigney
* Ashwater
* Beaford
* Bideford
* Black Torrington
* Bradford
* Bradworthy
* Bridgerule
* Broadwoodwidger
* Buckland Brewer
* Buckland Filleigh
* Bulkworthy
* Clawton
* Clovelly
* Cookbury
* Dolton
* Dowland
* East Putford
* Frithelstock
* Great Torrington
* Halwill
* Hartland
* High Bickington
* Hollacombe
* Holsworthy
* Holsworthy Hamlets
* Huish
* Huntshaw
* Landcross
* Langtree
* Littleham
* Little Torrington
* Luffincott
* Merton
* Milton Damerel
* Monkleigh
* Newton St Petrock
* Northam
* Northcott
* Pancrasweek
* Parkham
* Peters Marland
* Petrockstow
* Pyworthy
* Roborough
* Shebbear
* Sheepwash
* St Giles in the Wood
* St Giles on the Heath
* Sutcombe
* Tetcott
* Thornbury
* Virginstow
* Weare Giffard
* Welcombe
* West Putford
* Winkleigh
* Woolfardisworthy
* Yarnscombe

West Devon1,3|

* Beaworthy
* Belstone
* Bere Ferrers
* Bondleigh
* Bradstone
* Bratton Clovelly
* Brentor
* Bridestowe
* Broadwoodkelly
* Buckland Monachorum
* Chagford
* Coryton
* Dartmoor Forest
* Drewsteignton
* Dunterton
* Exbourne
* Germansweek
* Gidleigh
* Gulworthy
* Hatherleigh
* Highampton
* Horrabridge
* Iddesleigh
* Inwardleigh
* Jacobstowe
* Kelly
* Lamerton
* Lands common to Bridestowe and Sourton
* Lewtrenchard
* Lifton
* Lydford
* Marystow
* Mary Tavy
* Meavy
* Meeth
* Milton Abbot
* Monkokehampton
* North Tawton
* Northlew
* Okehampton
* Okehampton Hamlets
* Peter Tavy
* Sampford Courtenay
* Sampford Spiney
* Sheepstor
* Sourton
* South Tawton
* Spreyton
* Sticklepath
* Stowford
* Sydenham Damerel
* Tavistock
* Throwleigh
* Thrushelton
* Walkhampton
* Whitchurch

South Hams1|

* Ashprington
* Aveton Gifford
* Berry Pomeroy
* Bickleigh
* Bigbury
* Blackawton
* Brixton
* Buckland-Tout-Saints
* Charleton
* Chivelstone
* Churchstow
* Cornwood
* Cornworthy
* Dartington
* Dartmouth
* Dean Prior
* Diptford
* Dittisham
* East Allington
* East Portlemouth
* Ermington
* Frogmore and Sherford
* Halwell and Moreleigh
* Harberton
* Harford
* Holbeton
* Holne
* Ivybridge
* Kingsbridge
* Kingston
* Kingswear
* Littlehempston
* Loddiswell
* Malborough
* Marldon
* Modbury
* Newton and Noss
* North Huish
* Rattery
* Ringmore
* Salcombe
* Shaugh Prior
* Slapton
* South Brent
* South Huish
* South Milton
* South Pool
* Sparkwell
* Staverton
* Stoke Fleming
* Stoke Gabriel
* Stokenham
* Strete
* Thurlestone
* Totnes
* Ugborough
* Wembury
* West Alvington
* West Buckfastleigh
* Woodleigh
* Yealmpton

Teignbridge1|

* Abbotskerswell
* Ashburton
* Ashcombe
* Ashton
* Bickington
* Bishopsteignton
* Bovey Tracey
* Bridford
* Broadhempston
* Buckfastleigh
* Buckland in the Moor
* Christow
* Chudleigh
* Coffinswell
* Dawlish
* Denbury and Torbryan
* Doddiscombsleigh
* Dunchideock
* Dunsford
* Exminster
* Haccombe with Combe
* Hennock
* Holcombe Burnell
* Ide
* Ideford
* Ilsington
* Ipplepen
* Kenn
* Kenton
* Kingskerswell
* Kingsteignton
* Lustleigh
* Mamhead
* Manaton
* Moretonhampstead
* Newton Abbot
* North Bovey
* Ogwell
* Powderham
* Shaldon
* Shillingford St George
* Starcross
* Stokeinteignhead
* Tedburn St Mary
* Teigngrace
* Teignmouth
* Trusham
* Whitestone
* Widecombe in the Moor
* Woodland

Plymouth2,4|

* None

Torbay4|

* Brixham5

Bold text denotes a parish council referred to as a "town council".

1. Non-metropolitan district of the non-metropolitan county of Devon (administered by Devon County Council).
2. Has city status in the United Kingdom.
3. Has borough status in the United Kingdom.
4. Unitary authority not part of the non-metropolitan county, thus not administered by Devon County Council.
5. The remainder of Torbay is unparished.

Authority control databases

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