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Summary

Tall milestone, 8 miles from Exeter, set up by the Exeter Turnpike Trust in the early 19th century.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1445753: Milestone 130m N of Harcombe Cross Petrol Station

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX88SE/84

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 on 1880s-1890s 25 inch Ordnance Survey map, 8 miles to Exeter.

Ordnance Survey, 1906, 101NE (Cartographic). SDV336751.

Ordnance Survey, 1964, SX88SE (Cartographic). SDV347723.

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

Site visit 29th October 2010. Milestone located side of south bound carriageway of A38, on east side of road about 100 metres north of Harcombe Garage. Tall stone, circa 0.92 metres high, dating from the circa 1820s. Worn with slight damage to top left edge. Inscription reads 'VIII/Miles/From/Exon/' on the front, that on the rear cannot be much seen in its present position, 'VIII/?/?/?/'.
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 Chudleigh to Exeter 8 miles/ 2 miles milestone (288246, 81683) 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, 1445753 (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

Milestone 130m N of Harcombe Cross Petrol Station.
Summary of Building
An early-C19 milestone, erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
Reasons for Designation
The milestone 130m north of Harcombe Cross Petrol Station, Chudleigh, 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;
* 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 to the N of Harcombe Cross petrol station stands on the 1822 turnpike road from Exeter to Chudleigh. The stone was last recorded in its present position in May 2011. During a site visit in August 2016, it was not possible to see the milestone due to vegetation.
Details
An early-C19 milestone, erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
DESCRIPTION A free-standing granite stone finished with a rounded-arch top. The W (roadside) face bears the inscription ‘VIII/ MILES/ FROM/ EXON’.
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 milestone has been added to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV2155 - Exeter to Plymouth Milestone Survey

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