Newton Poppleford

From Wikishire
Jump to: navigation, search
Newton Poppleford
Devon
Houses, Newton Poppleford - geograph.org.uk - 1370376.jpg
Houses, Newton Poppleford
Location
Grid reference: SY085896
Location: 50°41’55"N, 3°17’42"W
Data
Population: 1,715
Postcode: EX10
Dialling code: 01395
Local Government
Council: East Devon
Parliamentary
constituency:
East Devon

Newton Poppleford is a large village in eastern Devon, on the A3052 road between Exeter and Sidmouth on the west side of the River Otter. It is within the 'East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

The village is on the route of a Roman road from Axmouth to Exeter. It includes some whitewashed cob thatched cottages, one shop and the parisdh church, St Luke's.

Newton Poppleford railway station closed in 1967 and was subsequently demolished.

The East Devon Way path passes close by.

History

The name Newton Poppleford means 'The New Town by the Pebble Ford.' It was originally settled by the Saxons and founded as a 'new town' in the 13th century by the Lord of the Manor of Aylesbeare. He was granted the right to hold a market, which was originally sited at the centre of the town.

The surroundings are known for market gardening because of the excellent soil quality in the area. A variety of daffodil (the King Alfred) was originated in the village and received an award from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1899. This renowned flower, with its large colourful trumpets, was first cultivated in the house of 'The Gardens' and premises, which is found in the centre of the village. It is one of the oldest houses in the village, dating back to the 15th Century, with cob walls and thatched roof with a quaint brook (small tributary) passing through the garden joining the River Otter. There are also fruit farms nearby.

The Newton Poppleford Local History Group formed in 2014 to record and document local history and memories of local people. Their website can be seen at newtonpopplefordhistory.wordpress.com Contributions of photos, documents, memories etc, will be very welcome.

Church

The village church, St Luke, stands on the High Street. St Luke's Church which was founded in 1331 (with the current structure dating from 1897).

There was also a church hall, but it was burnt down in 2012 by an arsonist.

Newton Poppleford was historically a chapelry in the ancient parish of Aylesbeare,[1] and became a civil parish in 1898. In 1935 the civil parish was abolished and added to the parish of Harpford, together with the smaller parish of Venn Ottery. In 1968 the parish was renamed 'Newton Poppleford and Harpford'.[2]

Outside links

Commons-logo.svg
("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Newton Poppleford)

References