Moretonhampstead, Devon, England

 

Image of town. Note thatched roof.

This evening, I am focusing on the quaint and pleasant town of Moretonhampstead, Devon. The name is the longest such place name in England. Population is about 1700 persons.Location is some  two hundred miles S.W. of London.

Remains of Old Market (Preaching) Cross

Moretonhampstead has a history dating back to the 8th century AD Saxon era. First part of the name means 'farmstead in moorland' .

During the Middle Ages (5th to the late 15th centuries) the town prospered from the wool trade resulting in many fine buildings of historic interest notwithstanding a number of destructive fires in the early 20th century. The town is now designated a conservation area and comprises many listed (protected) buildings including alms houses (medieval social housing) which date back to the 15th century.

Alms Houses


 For historic reasons, the Sparrowhawk (bird of prey) has become the unofficial symbol of Moretonhampstead.

 

The parish church (Anglican) is relatively young, dating from 1450 with many subsequent additions and changes. The architecture style is perpendicular. The church is dedicated to St. Andrew.

 

Colourful Shop Front

 Street Scene with thatched house,


 Moreton House


  Colourful Georgian Architecture

Moretonhampstead is a fascinating small town on the edge of Dartmoor and is deserving of a visit when in the area.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more