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Summary

Milestone set up by the Exeter Turnpike Trust in the early 19th century. Inscribed as 6 miles to Chudleigh and 4 miles to Exeter.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1440323: Milestone 13m W of Fairlight

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX98NW/131

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILESTONE (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Milestone marked as 'Exeter…4/Chudleigh 6 M.S.'

Jenkinson, T., 2005 - 2011, B3416/B3212/B3344/Old A38 Exeter to Plymouth (Report - Survey). SDV322256.

Site visit 17th February 2004. Milestone on the path against a wall opposite the drive to Southlands in Kennford. Inscribed '6/Miles/To/Chudleigh/4/Miles to/Exeter/' on the left hand face and '4/Miles to/ Exeter/6/Miles to Chudleigh/' on the right hand face and '180/Miles/To/London' on the base. The stone which dates to the circa 1820s is in good condition with the letters picked out in black. Also used as an OS benchmark.
This important stretch of road between Exeter and Plymouth was much improved in the 1820s as a result of recommendations from Civil Engineer James Green with new sections cut to by pass South Brent and Buckfastleigh. The old A38 retains a variety of interesting markers ranging from the original limestone ones favoured by the Totnes and Ashburton Turnpike to the cast iron mileposts of the Plymouth Eastern Trust.

Historic England, 2016, Milestones, Chudleigh to Exeter, (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV359872.

Application received to add the milestone Chudleigh to Exeter 4 miles /6 miles to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Ordnance Survey, 2017, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV359962.

Historic England, 2017, National Heritage List for England, 1440323 (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

Milestone 13m W of Fairlight.
Summary of Building
Early-C19 milestone erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
Reasons for Designation
The milestone 13m W of Fairlight, Alphington, Devon is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as a piece of early-C19 street furniture which retains its inscription and which was part of the former Exeter Turnpike Trust, one of the largest in the country;
* Architectural interest: it has added design interest with the use of a multi-faceted style, employed due to its proximity to Exeter;
* Group value: it forms a good group with other listed milestones along the road between Exeter and Chudleigh.
History
The Exeter Turnpike Trust was established in 1753. It became responsible for 141 miles of road and covered one of the largest sections of road in the country. The main turnpike road from Exeter to Plymouth passed through Chudleigh, via Alphington. In 1822, the Alphington to Chudleigh road was altered, with a new 5 mile section created from Kennford to Chudleigh. The Exeter Turnpike Trust employed different styles of milestones to mark their routes. These included a tall, multi-faceted stone on locations close to major towns and cities, and a smaller rounded-top stone in less prominent locations. The Trust was wound up in 1884.
The milestone on the main road into Kennford stands on the 1822 turnpike road from Exeter to Chudleigh and marks the 4 mile point from Exeter.
Details
Early-C19 milestone erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
DESCRIPTION A free-standing stone with a rectangular base that tapers at the top, and has a triangular shaft above. The street-facing sides bear inscriptions with the distance in miles to Exeter (4) and Chudleigh (6), and the base has the distance to London (180). There is also a benchmark on top of the base and other marks. The inscriptions are picked out in black paint.
Date first listed: 7th September 2017

Historic England, 2017, Notification of Designation Decision (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV360373.

Notification that the milestones has been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Interest at Grade II.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV2155 - Exeter to Plymouth Milestone Survey

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