Broadhempston

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Broadhempston
Devon
Broadhempston - geograph.org.uk - 40487.jpg
Broadhempston
Location
Grid reference: SX806662
Location: 50°29’3"N, 3°41’2"W
Data
Population: 641  (2001)
Post town: Totnes
Postcode: TQ9
Dialling code: 01803
Local Government
Council: Teignbridge
Parliamentary
constituency:
Newton Abbot

Broadhempston (also known as Broad Hempston, and anciently as Great Hempston, or Hempston Cauntelow) is a village, parish and former manor in Devon, situated about four miles north of Totnes.

The 2001 census recorded that the parish contained 257 houses with a population of 641.

The village contains a parish church, a primary school, two public houses (the Monk's Retreat and the Coppa Dolla) and a shop/post office. The working population mainly commutes to the neighbouring town of Torquay, and to the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Many of the villagers are "incomers" and now outnumber "natives". The proportion of professional and managerial grade employees resident in the parish is higher than the national average for comparable sized areas. House ownership levels, as a measure of prosperity, is also high. Until recently there were five farmhouses and yards within the village itself, but these have been converted to residential uses. A "Community Woodland Project" is in development, which has public access for pedestrians and will be used as a community educational resource.

Parish church

The parish church is St Peter and St Paul. It has a 13th-century chancel with 15th-century arcades, beams and bosses.

The fine chancel screen is ancient, although the top part was made in 1903.[1] The font is 15th century. Giles Hussey, artist and theorist, is buried in the churchyard.[2]

About the village

The 15th-century almshouse is now an inn.

The Village Hall has recently been rebuilt to provide a community hall to cater for all age groups from the village and surrounding areas.

Manor

The Manor of Broad Hempston is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hamistone and was held by Robert, Count of Mortain, 2nd Earl of Cornwall. It was later held successively by the families of Cantilupe (from whom it became known as Hempston Cauntelow), West, Rowe, Martin, Champion, Duntze and Tozer.

Outside links

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References

  1. Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Devon, 1952; 1989 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09596-8page 218
  2. Dictionary of National Biography