Farringdon in Devon

Farringdon is a rural parish in East Devon that includes the hamlets of Farringdon and Denbow as well as other scattered houses and farms. For general facilities, see the Welcome Pack.

 

The area has always been predominately agricultural and is mainly grade 2 agricultural land based on its typical East Devon red clay soil and has plenty of fine old trees and Devon hedges. Of course times have changed and today there is a mixture of farming, horticulture (such as a nursery business and a lavender farm), an equestrian centre, Crealy Adventure Park , which is a major Devon tourist attraction, and an industrial park at Hill Barton which contains a variety of light industrial enterprises.

 

Although it doesn’t boast a shop or pub, Farringdon does have a very picturesque Norman Church and a small but smart village hall. It also has a strong community spirit, which shows up in a variety of social activities as well as in displaying a united front through the Farringdon Residents Association in the face of certain recent planning “threats”.

 

There are several well established annual social events that have attracted local residents for many years, such as a tennis tournament, clay-pigeon shoot, the harvest Sunday auction of produce and the Christmas Eve carol service, along with newer events such as the Farringdon Fun Run.

 

More recently, the Farringdon Society of Arts, which was started by a group of local residents in 2004, has hosted many cultural events, usually in the village hall. Its membership now extends well beyond Farringdon, and it includes a number of active local, professional artists who regularly exhibit in Farringdon as well as giving classes and talks. 

History

 

The life blood of Farringdon has always been the abundant supply of very pure spring water that reliably bubbles up in numerous places in the village, most notably near Farringdon House and Upham farm.

 

Recent flint tool finds suggest Farringdon may well have been occupied during the Palaeolithic period, (Old Stone Age) as far back as 250,000 years ago.

 

There is certainly very little doubt that Farringdon has been in continuous occupation since the Neolithic times, about 5,500 B.C.

 

There are numerous known Roman sites, including a Romano/British farm. A recent find of a Roman oil lamp at Denbow suggests there may well be a villa not too far away.

 

There is a known Saxon site near Upham farm.

 

Following the Norman invasion, most of the lands at Farringdon were held by the Chief bowman to William the Conqueror and there is some evidence that he made much of the area into a deer park .

 

The Church, although rebuilt in the Victorian period, has its origins in the 12th century. The church was almost certainly built on top of a former Pagan site.

 

Many settlements in Farringdon can be dated back to the 12/13th century, such as Denbow and Crealy. Rosemond House is believed to be on the site of a former Priory.

 

Throughout all this period the supply of pure water remained vital, with farming being the mainstay of the local economy. The huge number of marl (clay) pits in the area suggests that Farringdon clay has played a vital part in the growth of the whole region. This would have been mostly used for the manufacture of bricks and tiles.

 

During the Second World War, Farringdon played her part with Farringdon House being used to accommodate both UK and Polish airman, flying out from Exeter airport.

 

Follow the link below to read more about the history of Farringdon, provided by the Farringdon History Society.....

 

 

 

 

Click here for more history