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A brief history of Alphington

Alphington's historic roads and buildings

By Rowena Jay

From research carried out in Libraries, Studies Libraries, Records Offices and also by chatting with villagers.

The Exminster Road now known as the Dawlish Road

On a map dated 1890 two Marl Pits are shown on the side of The Dawlish Road, these pits were used to extract a mixture of nutrient rich clay and carbonate of line.

Matford Barton

Past residents of Matford Barton/Matford Farm included: William Neck, farmer, Matford Farm; Frederick Pitts, farmer and miller, Matford Farm (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879). A "Barton" means "a collection of farms".

An anti-aircraft gun was in place alongside the Dawlish Road during World War Two.

The Old Rectory

Is situated behind The Rectory, now called Marchmont, and past residents included: Rev. Rd. Ellicombe M.A. (from White's Devonshire 1850); Rev. Wm Butterfield M.A. (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879). Another past rector of Alphington from 1780 until 1831 was William Ellicombe. During the Second World War the field in front of Marchmont (The Rectory) and also Raglands field had Nissan huts erected on them. After the war the huts were used to house homeless families until the early 1950s.

The Lodge

This was built at the turn of the 18th century and it was the ARP headquarters during World War Two. A past resident included: Mr Thomas Norrish (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

The Exeter Road now known as Church Road

Osborne House

A past resident was Mrs Eliza Hews (White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Fairfax House

This was also known as Belvil or Belville and later as 1, Church Road. It is another one of the ancient houses in the village and it is thought that General Fairfax was stationed there during the Civil War. The shaft of the War Memorial cross, which is now leaning against the Church Tower, was found in the garden of this house. Today much of the garden has been developed for housing. Past residents included: Jocelyn Foulkes; Dr. R. K. Fortescue Foulkes who lived there before the last war.

Crosse Cottage

Thus named because of its proximity to the original site of the Alphington Cross.

Webb's Garage

Harry Webb owned this Garage, which was built in the 1930s, and he lived in one of the houses on the opposite side of the road. Harry specialized in recharging accumulators for valve wireless sets.

Mandrake House

Use to back on to Mandrake Farm. The House was known as Wandrake when John Wandrake was a tenant in the early part of the 18th century. Over the years the "W" became an "M". Watsons, which was the company that supplied the steel for the rebuilding of Exeter after World War Two, moved there but they later relocated to new premises on Marsh Barton. Another past resident included: Jas Bray, Surveyor (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Mile End Cottage

This was originally a pair of semi-detached cottages, the one on the left-hand side was let in 1839 to Charles Dickens for four years for his elderly parents, John and Elizabeth and their youngest son Augustus. The landlady lived in the other cottage. Rent was £20 per annum and the furniture cost £70. The two cottages were knocked into one during the 1930s. Charles Dickens wrote the opening chapters of Nicholas Nickleby while he was staying at Mile End Cottage. It is thought that Mr Micawber from David Copperfield was based upon Charles' father. Another past resident included Rev. John Edwd Collyns (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Devonia Terrace

Stetches from Blenheim Road to the building that is occupied by the Post Office and was built after World War One.A petrol station use to stand where Queen Street Carpets is today and in the back of the building there was a laundry.

Cross View

This was the location of a "rope-walk" in 1790. The rope produced in the village was supplied to the shipping trade at Exeter quay. The local farmers were paid well for the flax and hemp that was used to make the rope. In 1905 the houses were built but no one is sure why it was called Cross View, as the Alphington Cross could never be seen from this small road. One of the houses was a police house; it had a police sign over the door and was occupied by Sergeant Henry Boutfield.

Brooklands House

This was a farmhouse that was built around 1774 and later  became a hotel. It was badly damaged by fire in both the 1930s and the late 1950s when the thatched roof caught fire. It was demolished in 1974.  A past resident was John Richards Hussey auctioneer (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Rose Cottage

Use to stand close to Brooklands; a past resident included Miss Christine Smale (from White's Devonshire 1878-1979).

Willow Cottage

A past resident was Richard Short, joiner and builder (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

The Playing Field

Stands on the site formerly known as the "Chronicles". During the Second World War barrage balloons were floated above this field as an anti-aircraft device. A Nissan hut use to stand in the playing fields. It was moved here from the County Ground where it had housed American troops during World War Two.

Brook Bridge

The original bridge over The Alphin Brook was wooden and constructed in 1699. A stone bridge replaced this in 1729 but the twin-arches increased the risk of flooding by hampering the flow of water, therefore, in 1842 it was rebuilt with a single span.

Marsh Barton

The Newberry family use to own Marsh Barton Farm until it was bought by a compulsory purchase order by Exeter City Council. Other past residents that worked on Marsh Barton were: Richard Newberry, market gardener, Marsh Barton; John Sage, cowkeeper, Marsh Barton; John Pethybridge, Marsh Barton (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879). Marsh Barton became a trading estate in 1946 with the first major development taking place in 1951. The number of businesses increased throughout the 50s and 60s and by 1977 there were 116 companies. Today there are around 500 businesses on the estate. The original building where South West Metal Finishing stands today was built in 1953-1954 (the roof was date stamped) and it was an egg packing station. There was also a car breakers called Toghill, a car-breaking yard was situated where the Willsdown Road development stands today.

Bridge House

Dr. Spencer used this house as a surgery after it had been renovated following a fire in 1936. It was demolished after the floods of the 1960's. Other past residents were: Mrs Wippell, tanner (from White's Devonshire 1850); Thomas Wippell, Bridge House, Wippell & Rew (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Bridge Cottage

Sid Raddon use to run his coal business from this cottage and other past residents were: Mrs My Ann Mantel (from White's Devonshire 1850); John Cromar Rew, tanner (Wippell & Rew, tanners) (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Buscove Cottages

Built around 1700.

Ye Olde Alphington Bakery & Cafe and Alphington Post Office

Standing on the corner of Chapel Road this bakery and cafe was run by the Hatswell family and later by the Pollards. The cottage next door was a newsagent and before that it was the second position for the Alphington Post Office having moved from its original building on the corner of Ide Lane. John Hele was the postmaster (from White's Devonshire 1850 and 1878-1879).

St. Martins Lodge

Use to be known as The Laurels and a past resident included: John Davie Bassett M.D. (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Sobey's Cottages

The next row of Cottages were built on the site of the thatched cottages that were left untouched by the fire of 1871. However, they were demolished in the very early part of the 20th century to make way for Sobey's Cottages that are still seen today.

Rosemont

Is a Grade II listed building that was saved from demolision. It was built around 1840 and was the house of the Heale family. Another past resident included: Arthur Chamberlyne Chichester Esq. J. P. (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

The Old School and the School Masters House

The School Board was formed on 31st March 1875 and consisted of The Chairman, Thomas Woodman Esq.; The Vice-chairman, Mr. Frederick Loram; Rev. Dr. Dennert; Messrs. Robert White and John Way; Mr. John Wills from the contributory parish of Exminster and Clerk; Mr. John Hutchings, Shillingford St. George was also a contributory parish. This Board School was built in 1876 along with teacher's residence at a total cost of £2300. The architect was Mr J. W. Rowell of Newton Abbot and Torquay; the builder was Mr H. Phillips of Exeter. Mr John Bell was Board School Master and Mrs Mary Adeems Board School Mistress (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879). It opened in 1876 and stood on the site of The Church House. Originally, a brick wall split the playground area and boys would play on one side and the girls the other. The school closed in 1987.

The Church House

This was built in the reign of Elizabeth I on land given by William Courtenay Esq. The house was leased for 99 years in May 1784. The lease stipulated that the "fine" of £100 should go to the repair of the Church and the annual rent of £5 plus £5 interest should be used to distribute bread to the poor. The Church House was destroyed by fire on 15th September 1871.

Tozers Cottage

Past residents included: Henry Tozer, basket maker; Samuel Tozer, Vict. King William (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Pixie Cottage

A past resident was Miss Mary Way (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Chudleigh Road

This is shown as a Roman road on a map dated 1890.

Miss Mitchell erected the Lych Gate, at one entrance to the Church yard, in the 1950s in memory of her family.

The Apple Loft

The small building to the side of the churchyard has been called The Apple Loft and at one time there were some large apple orchards in the village. It was also in this building that clerical teaching took place and it is possible that this is where Charles Babbage was educated. Also educated by the clergy of Alphington was Rev. E. A. Bray (18th December 1778 [Tavistock]-17th July 1857). During his life he wrote many beautiful hymns and patriotic poems.

Cartwheels

This was formerly two cottages known as number 1 and number 2 Flint Cottage. Dating back to about 1480 it was built into the Church wall so that the villagers could not look inside.  It was constructed of cob and wood with frosted glass in the windows at the back so that the residents could not look directly into the Rectory. A well in the front garden, just inside the front gate, provided the people of Alphington with water. Some past residents included: George Hutchings, butcher, cattle dealer; John and Samuel Hutchings, Cattle dealers; Henry Saunders, milk dealer (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879). I was told that bones were once found under the floor of this cottage during the 1970s, they were estimated to be 200 years old and human.

Scanes Cottages

This a row of nine cottages that were built after 1909 to replace those that burnt down on 13th February 1909. The fire started in Scanes Bakery and went through the other cottages leaving 40 people homeless. It took time for the fire engines to arrive as the fire fighters were playing football in Raglands Field at the time. A past resident of Swiss Cottage was Mr Alfred H. Hartnell (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Bartletts

A past resident was Mr Samuel Dyer Knott (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879), he was a friend of John Dickens, Charles Dickens' father.

Aldens Farm

This was named after the Rev. Alden, Thomas Alden who became rector in 1637. He died in 1651 and his successor was John Alden, John was rector from 1662 until 1667 and he did a lot of work on the restoration of the Church. Another resident was Frederick Loram (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Belvoir

This is a large Grade 2 listed white cottage and possibly built in the 17th century. Other past residents included: Mr Benj. Heratio Shaw (Exors of); Mrs Blanche Shaw, ladies boarding and day school (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

Veitch Nursery

John Veitch was born in 1752 in Jedburgh, as a young man he travelled to work in a London nursery. In 1870 he laid out the grounds of Killerton for Sir Thomas Acland and founded the world famous nursery here. The descendants of John kept the nursery running and also the Exotic nursery in Chelsea. This family-run enterprise sent out plant collectors to far lands for new plants. Both these nurseries have now sadly gone.

Shillingford Hill/Chudleigh Road

In 1921 ten semi-detached houses were built and were ready for occupation in 1922 by ex-service men. Each property had two acres of land but they did not have sewage and electricity connected until the 1930s.

Silverlands

This was built for Frederick Loram who retired there after farming at Aldens Farm. He was born in 1823 and died in 1888. Also Arthur Frederick Loram moved to Silverlands in 1919 after farming at Aldens.

The "pink cottage", like many older buildings in the country, shows the telltale signs of Window Tax avoidance.

The Gables

Built in 1730 and extended in 1820 it was formerly called Exe View and was one of the village's manor houses. At one time it housed prisoners who were then taken through a tunnel out into Hangman's Lane (Markhams Lane) and from there to Four Way Cross and hung from an old Oak Tree. Their bodies were brought back down Hangman's Lane and buried in the field across the road from The Gables. A past resident was Mr Edward M. Brown (from White's Devonshire 1878-1879).

A past resident of Waybrook was Thos. & Son (Edw B.) Hussey auctioneers (from White's Devonshire 1850).

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