Moretonhampstead
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Template:GBdot Moretonhampstead is a small market town in Devon, England. It lies on the edge of Dartmoor and is most notable for having the longest one-word name of any place in England. It is twinned with Betton in France.
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Overview
This part of Devon was occupied by the Saxons soon after 682 AD. It was then divided into vast estates, one of which included all land within the boundaries of the rivers Teign and Bovey, and Mor Tun was its major settlement. The present Parish, over 6000 acres, is the residue of that Ancient Crown Lordship. Domesday Book (1086 AD) shows that the Manor of Moreton, with some neighbouring manors, supported upwards of 5000 sheep. Wool and, in later years, the manufacture of woollen cloth formed the basis of the town's economy for over 700 years. The setting up of a water-powered fulling-mill before the end of the 13th century confirms that by then this economy was already firmly established.
In 1207 AD king John granted a weekly market and an annual 5-day fair. These very early grants establish that Morton had by then developed into an important local community. It grew steadily through the Middle Ages and was very prosperous until the end of the 17th century, when the wool industry began to decline. But the town continued to be a local trading centre and a vital watering place for travellers on the difficult routes across Dartmoor and from Exeter and Newton Abbot. A series of disastrous fires in the last century destroyed many of Moretonhampstead's ancient buildings, but sufficient still remains to demonstrate our Saxon and Mediaeval heritage, and the later industrial prosperity. Much of the town is designated a Conservation Area, with many "Listed Buildings" of architectural and historic interest and more soon to be listed. The whole Parish is within Dartmoor National Park.
The Sparrowhawk
When King John granted the town its charter during the thirteenth century, the rent was set as one sparrowhawk per year. The bird has become something of a symbol for the Town and will be incorporated into works of public art under development by an artist in residence, Roger Dean.
The Cross Tree
The Cross Tree, immortalised by Blackmore in the well known book "Christowell" is now only represented by a cross minus its shaft, which is enclosed near the Alms Houses. This famous dancing tree, a fine old elm, cut and clipped in the form of a punch bowl (by which name it was also known), has long since disappeared, and in its place a beech tree has been planted. It was around the original tree that the village lads and lasses were wont to dance with "fantastic toe" and it recorded that French Officers on parole from Princetown Prison during the Napoleonic Wars, "did assemble around the Cross Tree with their Band".
The Alms Houses
Standing behind the Cross Tree are the famous Alms Houses, built in solid granite. The date of 1637 on the outside is actually the date they were refurbished. Recent research has shown that the main core of these buildings are at least two hundred years older.
Early in the 19th century the building was converted from two tenements into four and the facade was damaged. By 1938 they had fallen into disrepair. In 1940 they were purchased for the Town and converted back into two tenements. In 1952 they were purchased by the National Trust.
Tourism
Moretonhampstead relies heavily on tourist trade. Its central position on Dartmoor makes it an ideal base to explore both Dartmoor and Devon. The central part of the town stands at an altitude of 700 feet but a short stroll within the parish will elevate the walker to beyond 1100 feet and afford spectacular views of the surrounding area. Moreton boasts 5 pubs and 3 cafes. There is a wide selection of hotels, bed and breakfast, self-catering and camping accommodation and the visitor will find all one is likely to need in the busy local shops.
For the active, Moretonhampstead boasts what many find to be a surprising range of sporting facilities and the great expanse of Dartmoor presents the rambler with unlimited options. No part of the National Park is more than a one hour drive away and most of the well-known beauty spots considerably less. For those with other interests there is the historic naval city of Plymouth, Devon's Roman capital, Exeter with its magnificent cathedral, the many famous coastal resorts including Torbay and the serene countryside of North Devon, all of this lying within sixty minutes travelling time.
Written by the Moretonhampstead Development Trust