Higher Ashton
| Higher Ashton | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 Cottages in Higher Ashton | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX855846 |
| Location: | 50°39’2"N, 3°37’11"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | First argument to "number_format" must be a number. (2011) |
| Post town: | Ashton |
| Postcode: | EX6 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Teignbridge |
Higher Ashton is a village in Devon, sharing a church and a civil parish ('Ashton') with its westerly neighbour, Lower Ashton. According to the 2011 census the parish together had a population of 203.
The villages are on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The France Brook flows through the two villages, just south of its main road, running down to the River Teign at Lower Ashton.
The village is some nine miles north of Newton Abbot, and six miles to the south-west of its nearest city, Exeter.
Higher Ashton is a primarily agricultural village,
Parish church
History
The Manor of Ashton was long the seat of the Chudleigh family, from about 1320 to 1745,[1] which originated at the manor of Chudleigh,[2] three miles south of the Ashton villages, and for which was created the Chudleigh baronetcy in 1622. Whilst Ashton became the birthplace of a long line of Chudleigh family members, it was Sir George Chudleigh who was the 1st Baronet during the Civil War and sided with both the parliament firstly and then the Royalists later on.[3]
In the 1880s, the descriptive gazetteer for Ashton was:
"Ashton, par. with ry. sta., E. Devon, 4 miles N. of Chudleigh, 1709 ac., pop. 195."[4]
The Great Barn
Approximately 150 yards east of the church is The Great Barn of Devon (50°39’2"N, 3°37’17"W), a Grade II listed barn.[5]
The structure itself is approximately 75 feet long and 23 feet wide,[6] and whilst no longer used for any agricultural purposes the barn does provide a social aspect for the community and nearby locations as now its primary function is hosting wedding ceremonies.
The barn was derelict for many years until in September 2004 the barn was reconstructed through private business investments.
References
- ↑ {{britlist|101097854|Place Barton - Ashton – Devon]
- ↑ Pole, p.260
- ↑ Lt-Gen Sir George Chudleigh, MP, 1st Baronet of Ashton - Geni.com
- ↑ Gazetteer of the British Isles (Bartholomew), 1887
- ↑ Barn South East of Place Barton - British Listed Buildings
- ↑ The Great Barn of Devon; Wedding Venues