Halberton

infobox UK place
latitude= 50.9025
longitude= -3.4875
country = England
official_name= Halberton
population= 1,573 (Parish 2001)
shire_county = Devon
shire_district= Mid Devon
region= South West England
os_grid_reference = SS955125
dial_code= 01844
post_town= TIVERTON
postcode_area= EX
postcode_district= EX16
constituency_westminster= Tiverton & Honiton

Halberton is a village in Devon, England. The Grand Western Canal runs through the village. The village is situated between the historic market towns of Tiverton and Cullompton.Halberton is a large parish in Devon, stretching from Tiverton, almost up to the Somerset border, and from Sampford Peverell to Butterleigh, an area of about 7,520 acres. Its name is derived from ‘Haligbeort’ (Albert), the name of the Saxon Chief, and ‘tun’, a farm settlement.

Halberton was once important enough to be a Hundred, an administrative division of a shire. This included the parishes of Halberton, Sampford Peverell and Willand, as well as parts of Uplowman and Burlescombe. Many of the farms date back to Doomesday or shortly after and Halberton is still largely a farming community.

Halberton village is divided into two parts, Higher Town and Lower Town, separated by the mill stream and pond. The pond is fed by warm springs and never freezes.The Great Western Railway once had a branch line running through Halberton to Tiverton, but this has now gone. However, the Grand Western Canal still runs through the village and this is now a country park. It is 11 miles long running from Tiverton to Loudwells. Rock Bridge was constructed to carry the road (now the the A373) over the canal. [cite web | title=Rock Bridge at Halberton | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95389 | accessdate=2007-12-06] The same engineers that built the canal also built a substantial country house, [cite web | title=Rock House and adjacent range of outbuildings | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95391 | accessdate=2007-12-06] tunrpike house [cite web | title=Turnpike Cottage | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95392 | accessdate=2007-12-06] and cottages [cite web | title=Cottage 100 metres east of Rock - House | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95390 | accessdate=2007-12-06] at the site. Several other bridges were also constructed at Halberton to carry a minor roads over the canal. [cite web | title=Batten's Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95330 | accessdate=2007-12-06] [cite web | title=Accommodation bridge over the Grand Western Canal | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95332 | accessdate=2007-12-06] [cite web | title=Bridge at Halberton | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95334 | accessdate=2007-12-06] [cite web | title=Crownhills Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95340 | accessdate=2007-12-06] [cite web | title=Greenway Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95380 | accessdate=2007-12-06] [cite web | title=Sellick Bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=95362 | accessdate=2007-12-06]

There are several old houses in the village, the most notable being ‘The Priory’, believed to date from the 14th century, when it was part of a college called St. Jude’s. This was occupied by monks of the order of St. Augustine. Townsend House dates from the early 18th century, and several other houses in the village date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The parish church dates from the 14th century and stands at the centre of the village. It is thought to have been constructed on the site of an earlier Saxon church. There is also a Methodist Chapel at which John Wesley preached, first in 1760, and again between 1779 and 1789. Halberton also has a Christian Fellowship Group, which meets in Ash Thomas Church.

The Primary School, erected in 1844 has seen many changes and extensions over the years, and although still small is well equipped with modern equipment.

There is an active Parish Council, and many other organisations which cater for all tastes, including a Women’s Institute and a branch of the British Legion.

References

External links

* [http://www.halberton.org/ Halberton Parish Council]