Ashburton

Ashburton was an important centre for the tin trade in the middle ages and in 1305 became one of the four official stannary towns (the others were Chagford, Plympton and Tavistock) which had special powers to assay the tin produced from the Dartmoor mines. When the local tin, iron and woollen trades declined in the 17th Century, Ashburton made a living from passing trade on the main road from Exeter to Plymouth and many of the buildings you see today date from this period.

When the railway bypassed the town (in 1846), its future did not look bright, and Ashburton was largely forsaken until the 1950's when the quiet and beauty of the Dart Valley began to attract residents seeking an escape from urban life.

Today Ashburton is a lively centre for inland tourism, with walking, canoeing, pony trekking and fishing bringing many visitors to the town. Beside specialist shops for walkers, there are plenty of antique shops, galleries and a variety of eateries to sustain your interest, as well as some unusual ceremonial events dating from the stannary days, including an ale tasting and bread weighing ceremony (3rd Sat in July). There's also a sports centre, a weekly flea market and a museum covering the history of mining and wool processing in the town. The Tourist Information Centre has lots more information.

A short distance west of Ashburton is the River Dart Adventure Centre where you can climb, slide and splash your way around acres of woodland, lake and river.

Ashburton Map:
A vibrant and colourful Town Map has been created by local artist, and owner of the Town’s Silver Lion Jewellers, Jane Bark, and reflects the colourful nature of the town by using individually hand drawn representations of all of the high street retailers. Each of the traders are categorically listed and numbered in order to help visitors easily find their way around the Town as well as showing the diverse and eclectic nature of the Town’s businesses. To view, click the link below.