Barnstaple Turnpike Road                                            (updated 24h Sept 2013)

Created in 1763 as a town-centred trust covering over 100 miles of roads, with wide responsibilities across North Devon, as far west as the Torridge at Bideford and Torrington and later north to Ilfracombe. Its primary responsibilities were; (a) roads along the Taw valley towards Exeter (b) roads between the valleys of the Taw and Torridge and along Torridge valley towards Hatherleigh (later transferred) and Okehampton (abandoned in 1784) (c) coast roads to Bideford (d) road towards South Molton (e) roads to Ilfracombe. By an Act of 1827 the Trust created a significant new road along the Taw Valley to replace the old Exeter highway and in 1841 built new roads to Ilfracombe.

Prior to the closure of the Trust in 1879, it commissioned a set of 104 new milestones to be erected beside the turnpike roads, giving the distance to Barum (Barnstaple).

 

J House of Commons - Reports

1st Feb 1763 Barnstaple

Petition of inhabitants of Barnstaple

Road thru

- Parishes of Bishops Tawton, Landkey and Swimbridge to Kescott Hill

- And from Barnstaple to thru Parish of Bishops Tawton, Landkey, Swimbridge, Chittlehampton, Warkley and Chumleigh to Beacon (Otherwise Bicton Moor)

- And Barnstaple thru Parishes of Bishops Tawton, Tawstock, Atherington, High Bickington, Burrington, and Aush Reigney to Hansford Bridge

- and from thence thru Parish of Chulmleigh

- and also Barnstaple thru Parishes of Tawstock, Newton, Fremington, Alversdiscot, Hantshaw, Torrington (Commonly Great Torrington) Little Torrington, Peter Marlan, Petrockstowe (otherwise Padstow), Meath, Hatherleigh, Jacobstow and Inwardleigh to a place called Folly in Parish of Inwardleigh

- and also Barnstaple thru Parish of Tawstock, Fremington, Westleigh and Bideford

- and also road from Bideford thru Parish of Giffard, Huntshaw and Orrington

are narrow and incommodious

 

2 Feb 1763

Mr Buller Rpt

To Prove Mr Daniel Box and John Smith said – to Kescott where South Moulton TP ends and to Bicton Moor where South Molton TP ends; and Folley where Okehampton TP ends are in bad repair

Petition from gents freeholders and inhabitants of Barnstaple, S Molton, N Molton, Chittlehampton, Filleigh, East Buckland, West Buckland, Swymbridge and Landskey, 

That the road from South Molton to Kerscott Hill is in an Act lately passed and a toll gate was erected – it is 11 miles from Barnstaple to South Molton of which 5 are repaired by Statute Labour – 2 of these have been made commodious, one other is a causeway in Tawton Bishop, maintained by person as part of land tenure

It is not fair having 2 tolls that will now be taken on travellers from Barnstaple to South Molton.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

9th Feb 1784

Roads listed as

  • to Kerscott Hill from whence the South Molton TP runs
  • to Beacon or Bicton Moor from whence the South Molton TP and Exeter post Road run.
  • to Handsford Bridge and Chulmleigh.
  • To Folley in the Parish of Inwardleigh (through Torrington, Marland, Petrockstow, Meathe, Hatherleigh and Jacobstowe) from whence the Okehampton TP runs to Plymouth
  • to Bideford.
  • to Torrington

 

To prove the allegation Mr Charles Marshall said; that great progress had been made in repairing the roads and £10,000 borrowed. That the debt cannot be paid off without continuing the terms of the Act.

Some of the exemptions of the earlier Act prejudicial to the roads and the creditors and it is expedient that they should be altered or repealed; and that the road leading from Hatherleigh to a place called Folley, in the Parish of Inwardleigh, part of the road in the said Act, being very little used, the trustees and the inhabitants n the neighbourhood are desirous that the same should be excluded from the provisions of the Act.

 

List of Acts

Barnstaple

 

3 Geo3 c35

1763

 

Barnstaple

Abandon Hatherleigh to Inwardleigh

24 Geo3 c31

1784

 

Barnstaple

 

46 Geo3 c139

1806

 

Barnstaple

New roads down the Taw Valley

7&8 Geo4 c14

1827

 

Barnstaple

12 more miles, NE of Barnstaple

4&5 Vic c21

1841

 

Barnstaple

Minus Coombe Martin;

28&29 Vic c162

1865

 

Barnstaple

Expired

 

1879

Nov 1879

 

Barnstaple 1806

An Act for continuing the Term and altering and enlarging the Powers of Two Acts, passed in the Third and Twenty-fourth Years of His present Majesty, for repairing several Roads, leading from the Town of Barnstaple, in the County of Devon. [21st July 1806.]

 

Barnstaple 1827

An Act for more effectually improving and keeping in repair the several Roads leading to and from the Town of Barnstaple in the County of Devon; and for making certain new Lines of Road to communicate with the same. [2nd April 1827.]

That this Act shall be put in execution for the Purpose of making,  amending,   diverting, varying, altering, widening, improving, and maintaining in repair the several Roads herein-after mentioned ; (that is to say,)

South Molton Road ; the present Turnpike Road leading from the East End of Litchdon Street in the Town of Barnstaple  aforesaid,   through the  several Parishes  of Barnstaple, Bishop's Tawton, Landkey. and Swimbridge, to a certain Place called Kerscott Hill in Swimbridge aforesaid, from whence the South Molton Turnpike leads to the Town of South Molton in the said County;

Chulmleigh Road; also the present Turnpike Road leading from the said last-mentioned Road at or near the Rose and Crown Inn in the Village of Newport in the said Parish of Bishop's Tawton, through the several Parishes of Bishop's Tawton, Tawstock, Atherington, High Bickington, Burrington, and Ash Reigney, to a certain Place called Hansford Bridge, and from thence through the Parish of Chulmleigh to the Town of Chulmleigh;

Chittlehampton Road;  also the present Turnpike Road from the Foot of Coddon Hill, near the Village of Bishop's Tawton, through the several Parishes of Bishop's Tawton, Swimbridge, Chittlehampton, Warkleigh, and Chulmleigh, to a certain Moor or Common in the said Parish of Chulmleigh called Beacon otherwise Bicton Moor, from whence the South Molton Turnpike leads towards the City of Exeter;

New Road through Vale of Taw; also for making a new New Road through the Vale of the River Taw, or diverting the present Turnpike Road from or near a Bridge called New Bridge in the Parishes of Bishop's   Tawton  and   Tawstock, through  the  several  Parishes of Bishop's Tawton, Tawstock, Atherington, High Bickington, Burrington, Ash Reigney, Chitllehamplon,  Warkleigh, Kingsnympton, Chulmleigh, .Eggesford,  Wembworthy, and Chawleigh, to a certain Bridge called Eggesford Bridge in the said Parish of Chawleigh, there to meet and unite with a Turnpike Road which is about to be made by the Trustees of the Exeter Turnpike, to lead to the City of Exeter;

Dipford Road; also for making a new Road from or near a Place called Colleton Bridge in the Parishes of Chulmleigh and Ash Reigney, through the several Parishes of Chulmleigh, Ash Reigney, Burrington, Roborough and High Bickington, to a Place called Dipford in the said Parish of High Bickington, there to meet and unite with the Turnpike Road leading from the City of Exeter to the Town of Great Torrington;

Meath Mill Road; also for making a new Road from or near a Place called Newnham Bridge, between the Parishes of Chulmleigh and Burrington, to a Place called Meath Mill in the Parish of Kingsnympton, so as to improve the Communication between the City of Exeter and the Town of South Molton, which said last-mentioned new Road will pass from, into, or through the several Parishes of Burrington, Chulmleigh, Kings-nympton, Warkleigh, Chittlehampton, Saterleigh, and Georgenympton

Torrington Road; also the present Turnpike Road leading from the Long Bridge in Barnstaple aforesaid, through the several Parishes of Tawstock, Newton Tracey, Fremington, Alverdiscott, Huntshaw, Great Torrington, Little Torrington, Peter's Marland, Petrockstow otherwise Padstow, Meath, and Hatherleigh, to the Town or Village of Hatherleigh;

Bideford Road; also the present Turnpike Road leading from the Way Post near Heale Farm in Tawstock aforesaid, through the several  Parishes of Tawstock Fremington, Westleigh, and Bideford, to the Town of Bideford in the County of Devon ;

Road from Bideford to Torrington; also the present Turnpike Road leading from the Road from said Town of Bideford through the several Parishes of Bideford, Wear Gifford, Huntshaw, and Great Torrington, to the Town  of Great Torrington aforesaid ;

Bideford Road by way of Instow; also for making a new Turnpike Road from or near a Turnpike Gate called Sticklepath Gate in the Parish of Tawstock near the Town of Barnstaple aforesaid, to the Town of Bideford aforesaid, by way of Instow, through the several Parishes of Tawstock, Fremington,  Instow,  Westleigh, and Bideford;

Ilfracombe Road; also for making a new Turnpike Road from the Town of Barnstaple, at the South End of Pilton Bridge, through the several Parishes of Barnstaple, Pilton, Sherwill, Marwood, Bittadon, West Down, Berrynarbour, and Ilfracombe, to the Harbour of Ilfracombe aforesaid ;

Shirwell Road; also for making a new Turnpike Road from or near the South Gate of the Churchyard in Pilton aforesaid, through the said several Parishes of Pilton and Shirwell, to a Place called Shirwell Cross in the said Parish of Shirwell ;

Braunton Road;  also for making a new Turnpike Road from or near the South Gate in the Churchyard of Pilton to the Town or Village of Braunton, which said last-mentioned new Road will pass from, into, or through the several Parishes of Pilton, Ashford, Heanton Punchardon, and Braunton ;

Braunton and Ilfracombe Road; and also for making a new Turnpike Road from the said last-mentioned Road through the Village of Braunton and the Parishes of Braunton, Georgeham, West Down, Morthoe and Ilfracombe, to the Town and Harbour of Ilfracombe aforesaid ; all which said Roads are situate in the County of Devon

Barnstaple 1866

An Act for more effectually improving and keeping in repair the several Roads leading to and from the Town of Barnstaple in the County of Devon; [29th June 1865]

to come into force on 1st January 1866 for a term of 14 years.

The roads now under the management of the Trustees are as follows :

1. From the East end of Litchdon Street to Kerscott Hill.

2. From the Rose and Crown through Atherington to Handsford Bridge and Chulmleigh.

3. From the foot of Coddon Hill through Chittlehampton to Snidles Farm.

4. From Head -Bridge to Beacon or Bicton Moor.

5. From Fishley Rock to Eggesford Bridge.

6. From the Long Bridge through Tawstock, Newton Tracy, and Fremington to the Bartridges in Fremington.

7 From Heale Farm through Tawstock and Westleigh to Bideford.

8. From Bideford through Wear Gifford to the bridge on Torrington Common.

9. From Sticklepath Gate through Instow—the back road, not via the quay—to Bideford.

10. From Pilton Bridge through Muddiford to a post 66 yards westwards of the west end of Hillsborough Terrace, Ilfracombe.

11. The branch to Shirwell Cross.

12. From the South gate of Pilton churchyard through Ashford and Heanton Punchardon to Braunton.

13. From the end of Bear Street to Bratton Fleming.

14. The branch through Goodleigh to Stone Cross.

15. The branch to Horridge in Stoke Rivers.

16. The branch to Loxhore Cot.

 

The following roads are to be added :

NN.1 The road from the end of Instow Church Lane, via Instow Quay and the railway station, which has been repaired and maintained by the Trustees for upwards of twenty years past, by arrangement with the parishioners of Instow, and

NN.2 Rumsam Lane, as far as Rose Hill, now or late in the occupation of Commander Urmston, R.N.

 

The following are to be discontinued as turnpike roads:

From the west end of Hillsborough Terrace to the harbour of Ilfracombe.

From a bridge near Parsonage Lane to the point where it joins the Ilfracombe Turnpike, and The Instow back road.

 

Select Committee on State of Roads 1840

John Rawle of Bishop’s Tawton (clerk to the main trust)

George Coats of Ilfracombe, (a clerk to Ilfracombe local) reported

There are 91 miles 5f 1p of road thru 31 parishes plus 1 mile in Ilfracombe – all repaired by the trustees

12 toll gates and 17 side gates (plus 2 gates in Ilfracombe)

The roads are stated to be in “very good” condition.

The Ilfracombe Local toll is applicable exclusively to the improvement and repair of roads through the town of Ilfracombe and is under the management of the trustees of the Barnstaple Turnpike.

 

Report to Secretary of State - 1865

BPP. Vol29 (1865) - No. 6.—BARNSTAPLE ROADS.

The existing Act for these roads, the 4th Victoria, cap. 21., repealed the previous Act of the 7th and 8th of George IV., and granted a new term, which will not expire until the end of the session after the 4th of June 1872; the Trustees, however, have resolved to apply to Parliament to obtain powers to enable them to form new roads, and to abandon certain of the old roads.

As separate accounts have been kept for the Old Roads and the New Eastern Roads, it may be the more convenient course to refer to the circumstances of each separately.

 

old roads.

The total length of the old roads at present is 94 miles 1 furlong 1484 yards, but the length of the several lines is as follows :—

 

 

Number of Toll Gates

 

Miles. Fur  yards.

Gales.  Bars

No. 1. Barnstaple to Kerscott Hill in Swimbridge                 

No.2. Rose and Crown Inn, Newport, Barnstaple, to Chulmleigh Town,

         via Handsford Bridge     -   

No.3. Coddon Hill to Snidle's Farm   -                                              

No.4. Head Bridge to Bicton Moor -                                                

No.5. Fishley Rock to Eggesford Bridge                                          

No.6. Long Bridge, Barnstaple, to the Baltridges ( Old Torrington road)    

No.7. Hele Way Post to Bideford  (Old  Bideford road)                 

No.8. Bideford to Torrington                                                                    

No. 9. Barnstaple to Bideford, by way of Instow  

No. 10- Barnstaple to Ilfracombe                                                      

No. 11. Road in Ilfracombe, from Parsonage Lane Bridge to junction with the

            last-named road                     

No. 12. The Sherwell Cross-road                                                                                  

No. 13. The old road to Braunton                             

5    5     0

 

16    7     0

10   4    0

2    4  104

13   3      0

5      3    0

6    7    0

610

860

10    7    0

 

0     3    44

2     3     0

4    4    0

1     4

 

2          3

2          4

1          0

3          4

1          0

1          0

1              0

-

2          3

 

-

-

1          0

 

94     1    148J2 

15        18

 

Of the above, there are 3 furlongs 165 yards of the road No. 10, situated within the town of Ilfracombe, and also the whole of No. 11, being 3 furlongs 44 yards in extent; —total, 6 furlongs 209 yards, but since 1850, when the Ilfracombe half-toll ceased, these portions have not been repaired by the Trustees, but by the local authorities at Ilfracombe. Some portions of the other roads are situated within the limits of the parliamentary borough of Barnstaple,—of No. 1 road, 1 mile and 110 yards are within these limits, of which 1 furlong 187 yards are within the parish of Barnstaple,—of No. 2 road, 3 furlongs 165 yards are within the limits of the said borough, also about 6 furlongs of road No. 10, and about the like quantity of road No. 13,—total within the parliamentary borough of Barnstaple, 3 miles and 55 yards. There are 15 toll gates and 18 toll bars on the several roads, which are in some instances 7 miles, and in some 8 miles, apart, but no second toll is payable within four miles. Several of the toll-gates serve for two or even more of the roads; the full rates of toll allowed by the Local Act are levied; there; are no weighing machines on the Trust.

 

The debt on these roads in 1839 was £43,475, which appears to have been borrowed on the first formation of the roads, in or about the year 1765 ;—of which £7,925 was advanced at £4 per cent, and £35,550 at £5 per cent., and £150 additional was borrowed in the year 1841. These amounts have been reduced by various payments to £28.775, of which £9.025 now bears interest at £4 per cent, and £19,750 at £5 per cent., and remains due in 96 sums, but the usual schedule of debts has been omitted in the Bill. The arrears of interest, existing at the end of 1863, was £577 10s. The accounts show that the toll receipts increased in the year 1842, but fell off again in 1848 and 1849, since which period they have not varied to any great extent. The funds have been expended in repairing the road (at reduced amounts in late years) ;—salaries (formerly £200. per annum, but since 1845 £150 per annum);—law charges (of large amount in 1848,occasioned by an action brought against the sureties of a lessee of the tolls, who had absconded);— interest of debt;—improvements (occasionally);—portions of the principal (£5,950 of which has been discharged by £5,345. during the nine years from 1855 to 1863) ;—and incidentals (under which head in some years has been charged the expenses of repairing toll-houses, gates, &c., also in 1846 the damage done by high tides).

 

Toll income over last 25 years was £99,632

 

 new eastern roads.

 The length of these roads, which were formed in 1843 is 12 miles, in four lines as follows

Miles. Fur       Yards.

1. The road from Barnstaple to Bratton Fleming                                5          7          0

2. Branch road to Stone Cross                                                                        3          7          0

3. Branch road to Stoke Rivers                                                                       1          0          0

4. Branch road to Loxhore Cot                                                           1          2          0

 

There is one toll-gate, and one bar, on these roads; the toll-gate is situated about three quarters of a mile from the town, but is within the parish of Barnstaple; the full rates of toll are levied, and there is no weighing machine.

 

The mortgage debt, £6,605, was incurred in 1843 for the making of the roads, on which interest has been charged at £5 per cent., but no portion has been paid off; and the whole remains due in 42 sums, but no schedule of debts is attached to the Bill. The interest in arrear at the end of 1863 amounted to £1,198 15s. 0d.

 

The accounts show that the toll receipts have not varied, and that the funds have been expended – in repairing the road; - salary to the surveyor (£10 per annum), - law charges; - interest on debt; - improvements (of small amount and previous t o 1852) ;- incidentals..

 

Toll income over last 21 years was £9,910

 

Consideration was given to merging Barnstaple with the Great Torrington trust which was seeking a new Local Act at the same time.

 

The new Act proposed abandoning sections of turnpike road to parish control. This included the Old Exeter to Barnstaple road from Fishley Rock to Chumleigh town (10 miles of road No. 2). The parish of Burrington protested that the roads were to be thrown onto the parish yet they would still have to pay to use the remaining part of the road and this was still a through road that others should contribute to. (see below – this petition seems have been successful since virtually none of the roads were thrown back onto the parish in the 1866 Act)

 

It was noted that Clause 27 describes the portions of the roads proposed to be abandoned, and to be repaired as common highways ; the lengths of the several portions, amounting to nearly 41 miles, are as follows :—

 

Miles

Furl

Yards

From east end of Litchdon Street, in Barnstaple, to Rose and Crown inn, in Newport (part of No. 1.)

From Fishley Rock to Chulmleigh Town (part of No. 2.)

From Coddon Hill to Snidle's Farm (No. 3.)

From Head Bridge to Bicton Moor (No. 4.)

From Hele Way Post to Bideford (No. 7-)

From Gammaton Moor to bridge on Torrington Common (part of No. 8.)

From south end of Pilton Bridge to Northfield Lane (part of No. 10.) 

From Post westwards of Hillsborough Terrace to Ilfracombe Harbour (part of No. 10.)

From Parsonage Lane Bridge to a junction with the last named road (No. 11.) 

The old Braunton road (No. 13.) 

The portion of old road at Instow (part of No. 9.)  

 

 

0

10

10

2

6

3

0

 

0

 

0

4

0

 

4

4

4

4

7

0

5

 

3

 

3

4

5

 

165

0

0

104

0

0

33

 

165

 

44

0

132

 

40

7

49

 

Clause 31 specifies the tolls which may be taken, after the commencement of the Act on the new road, and on and after the 1st of January 1873 on the old roads and the eastern roads ; provided that before taking any toll on the new road, a footpath be formed at the side thereof, four feet wide, from Hillsborough Terrace to the village of Hele. These tolls, in general, are much lower than those authorized by the present Act, and include a toll of 6d. per wheel on carriages propelled by steam power.

Clause 34 permits tolls to be taken on every change of carriage, if laden.

Clause 37 limits the number of tolls, payable in one day, to three at any toll-gate, and Clause 33 limits the number to four for passing over the whole of the roads; but Section 27 of the existing Act, providing that no second toll shall be collected witbin four miles, is not contained in the present Bill.

Clause 39 allows half toll only for manure, and exempts from toll, " horses or beasts " when going empty "(!) to fetch or returning from conveying such manure.

 

List of Roads

South Molton Road (No.1); An UC road currently running parallel and the south of the A361, through Landkey and Swimbridge to Kerscott (the junction with the South Molton Turnpike). An older loop in this road passes high to the south of Swimbridge. (about 5.5 miles)

Chulmleigh Road (No.2); leaves Barnstaple as UC Newport Road and turns onto the A377 Old Exeter Road, through Bishops Tawton to south of Chapeltown where it branches south as B3217 through Atherington, and High Bickington, braches east at Week onto UC road Burrington to reach Colleton Mills at  Hansford Bridge; crosses the current A377 to follow on UC road into Chulmleigh. (about 17 miles) (this seems to include most of the road No.6 to Dipford described in the 1827 Act which was the jct to the Great Torrington Turnpike)

Chittlehampton Road (No. 3 & 4);  branches east from the A377 as an UC road at the foot of Coddon Hill, near Bishop's Tawton, through Cobbaton, Chittlehampton, Warkleigh, Chittlehamholt, past Snidle’s Farm, onto a short section of the B3226 to cross the River Mole at Head Bridge and return to an UC road to climb to Beacon otherwise Bicton Moor, where it meets an UC road that was the South Molton Turnpike leading down to Chulmleigh and Exeter. (about 10.5 miles to Snidle’s Farm and 2.5 further to Beacon Moor)

New Taw Vale Road (No.5); A new road cut after 1827, now the A377 from the Fishley Barton jct with the B3217, alongside the River Taw through Kings Nympton, past Colleton Mills to Eggesford Bridge where it met the new branch of the Exeter Turnpike Road, which had been built northwards at a similar time (about 13.5 miles);

Meath Mill Road (No.5a); now the B3226, from Newnham Bridge at Kings Nympton, north  along the River Mole Valley to the river crossing at Meethe Mill (and presumably on to South Molton about 10 miles - this road was not included in later Acts and so may have been partly transferred to the South Molton Trust)

Torrington Road and Hatherleigh (No.6);  now UC roads through industrial estates to the SW of Barnstaple, then crossing the A39 to become the present B3232 through Newton Tracey, Alverdiscott and Huntshaw Cross to Great Torrington where it branches south over Taddiport Bridge as UC road and then as the A386 through , Little Torrington; it braches SW as an UC road at Gribble Inn to pass through Peter's Marland, Petrockstow to rejoin the A386 at Friar’s Hele, to continue on to Hatherleigh (the section from Alverdiscott (Baltridges Common) to Torrington and on to Hatherleigh was transferred to the Great Torrington Trust in 1828) (about 10 miles to Torrington and 10 miles to Hatherleigh – whole shortened to about 5.5 miles with transfers);

Okehampton Road; A386 from Hatherleigh as far as Folly Gate (about 4 miles) disturnpiked after 1784 Act

 

Bideford Road (No.7);  now an UC road leaving Barnstaple as The Old Bideford Road, through Holmacott, Eastleigh and Pillhead to Bideford. (about 7 miles)

Road from Bideford to Torrington (No.8); The UC road from East of the Water to Gammaton Moor Cross, then South over Huntshaw Bridge to Great Torrington (about 6 miles)

Bideford Road by way of Instow (No.9);  a new Turnpike Road in 1827, now the B3223 from Sticklepath through Fremington, Instow, and Westleigh to Bideford; (about 9 miles)

Ilfracombe Old Road (Nos 10 and 11); a Road northwards from Barnstaple going over Pilton Bridge, and then as an UC road through Bradiford, Prixford, Marwood, Metcombe Down through Two Pots direct to Ilfracombe. (about 11 miles);

New Ilfracombe Road (No.10); runs a little to the east of the old road, branching off the A39 as the B3230, through Muddiford to Hillsborough terrace, to Ilfracombe. (about 11 miles)

Shirwell Road (No.12); a new Turnpike Road in 1827, now mainly the A39 from Pilton Church to Shirwell Cross (about 3 miles) ;

 

THE EASTERN ROADS to edges of Exmoor

Bratton Fleming Road; an UC road eastwards from Barnstaple in 1843 through Goodleigh to Bratton Fleming (about 6 miles)

Stone Cross Road; eastwards from Goodleigh to Gunn and Stone Cross, (about 3.5 miles)

Stoke Rivers ; NE of Goodleigh to Horridge –(about 1 mile)

Loxhore Cot Road:  an UC road eastwards from Shirwell (about 1 mile)

 

Old Braunton Road; (this was replaced by the new road built by the Braunton Trust in 1829) proposed as a new Turnpike Road in 1827 now an UC road running parallel and north of the A361 from Pilton Church to Braunton, through Ashford, Heanton Punchardon (about 4.5 miles);

Braunton and Ilfracombe Road (No.s 13); (this was made by the Braunton Trust in 1841)  a proposed new Turnpike, now the A361,  from Braunton through Georgeham, West Down, Morthoe and Ilfracombe, (about 7 miles)

 

 

Click here for a map of Devon Turnpike Roads

Click here to return to Turnpikes Home

 

Return to Turnpikes in Devon general page

 

Barum 2 Milestone Typical Milestone erected by Barnstaple Turnpike Trust made to a standard Barum pattern in 1879; this one is on the B3230, Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Road

 


Known Toll Gates (extracts from Tollhouse National database) 33 sites identified of the 12 (plus 17 bars) reported by the trust in 1840 (6 surviving tollhouse - underlined)

Road Classification Number

Route

GATE NAME

OS Grid Ref- Prefi

Easting

Northing

District

Civil Parish

Location (Name or Number)

Road or Street (see across)

Position

Evidence

Revised 23rd Sept 2013

erected by (Turnpike Trust or Authority)

Bibliographic refs

A377

Exeter to Barnstable

Ford Moor

SS

68381

12441

DVMD

CHAWLEIGH

Ford Moor Cottage

Ford Moor

sold to  Lord Portsmouth in 1878 - had been rebuilt with 2nd floor

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.48

UC road

Exeter to Barnstable

Longdown

SS

722

117

DVMD

CHAWLEIGH

Longdown

Labbett's Cross

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.44

A377

Exeter to Barnstable

Portsmouth Arms

SS

629

193

DVMD

CHAWLEIGH

Portsmouth Arms

 

 

; ; toll 1860;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.50

A377

Exeter to Barnstaple

Umberleigh House

SS

593

245

DVND

ATHERINGTON

Umberleigh House

 

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

B3217

Barnstaple to Labbetts Cross

Rectory

SS

590

237

DVND

ATHERINGTON

bottom of hill

 

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.46

A377

Exeter to Barnstaple

Umberleigh

SS

606

235

DVND

ATHERINGTON

Umberleigh Bridge

jct with B3227

 

; ; toll 1853;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.51; census 1871

UC road

Barnstaple to Goodleigh

Crookman's Corner

SS

57415

33338

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

Toll Gate Cottage

Crookman's Corner, Goodleigh Road

just west of the junction

; ; toll advert 1850;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.55; census 1871

A39

Barnstaple to Lynmouth

Pilton bridge

SS

555

336

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

N end of Pilton Causeway

 

 

OS 1st Series; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.54

UC road

Barnstaple to Upcott

Bradiford

SS

550

343

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

Toll House, Bradiford, replaced Pilton Bridge (TJ book)

this was demolished in 1878

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.54; census 1861

UC road

Barnstaple to Ilfracombe (east route)

Maer Top

SS

560

345

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

Shearford Lane, replaced Pilton Bridge (TJ book)

this was demolished in 1879

; ; toll 1860;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.54

UC road

Barnstaple to Bideford

Sticklepath

SS

554

326

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

Sticklepath Hill

 

porch taken down when sold in 1879

; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.55; census 1871

B3233

Barnstaple to Bideford

Pottington Marsh

SS

549

338

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

Pottington Marsh

 

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

A377

Newport

SS

561

327

DVND

BARNSTAPLE

New Road, Newport

 

 

; Greenwood Devon (1827); toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.52; census 1861

B3138

Barnstaple to Bishops Tawton

Rumsam

SS

568

322

DVND

BISHOPS TAWTON

South Street, Rumsam Road

 

this was demolished in 1879

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.52; census 1871

A377

Exeter to Barnstable

Abbot's Marsh

SS

6428

1940

DVND

BURRINGTON

Braggamarsh Cottage (The Hollow)

Barnstaple Road

in steep bank below woods

; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.51; census 1841

B3217

Bickington to Okehampton

Wick Cross (Week Cross)

SS

607

186

DVND

BURRINGTON

Week Cross?

 

this was demolished in 1879

; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.45; census 1861

A377

Exeter to Barnstaple

Newnham Bridge

SS

660

174

DVND

BURRINGTON

Newnham Bridge

 

 

; ; toll 1860;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.49

UC road

Hill Head to Chittlehampton

Holt

SS

6507

2131

DVND

CHITTLEHAMHOLT

Holt Gate

N of village - now a substantial thatched cottage; old OS shows round garden on W side of Road so suspect this was site of the TH

sold in 1879

; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.52; census 1841

UC road

Barnstaple to Exeter (northern route)

Puddlepool

SS

620

265

DVND

CHITTLEHAMPTON

Puddlepool

 

this was demolished in 1879

; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.53

A377

Exeter to Barnstable

Colleton Mills

SS

66545

15655

DVND

CHULMLEIGH

Mill Cottage

Colleton Mills Cross

at crossroads to  Mill

OS 1st Series; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.50

A377

Exeter to Barnstaple

Leigh Cross

SS

6673

1392

DVND

CHULMLEIGH

Leigh Cross

Leigh Cross

at jct with Leigh Road

OS 1st Series; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.49; census 1841

UC road

Exeter to Barnstaple

Bicton Moor (Beacon Moor)

SS

705

128

DVND

CHULMLEIGH

end of Leg 4 of 1828 Act

TJ says SS 693 160

 

; ; toll 1860;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.67

UC road

Chulmleigh to Barnstaple

Elstone

SS

684

168

DVND

CHULMLEIGH

Toll Bar Cross, Elstone

by Highlands Farm

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

B3230

Barnstaple to Ilfracombe

Two Potts

SS

53101

44668

DVND

ILFRACOMBE

New Banstaple Road, jct with Old Barnstaple Road

house on this site

this was demolished in 1879

OS 1st Series; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.58; 1871 census

Kings Nypton to South Molton

South Molton station

SX

66

21

DVND

KINGS NYMPTON

Road to South Molton Station

 

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

UC road

Barnstaple to Sandford

King's Close

SS

579

316

DVND

LANDKEY

nr Mont Sandford

 

this was demolished in 1879

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.52; 1871 census

A39

Barnstaple to Lynmouth

East Plaistow

SS

592

378

DVND

SHIRWELL

Toll Bar Cross, Shirwell Road, East Plaistow,

 

OS 1st Series; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.59; 1871 census

A377

Barnstable to Exeter

Chapelton

SS

5768

2664

DVND

TAWSTOCK

Hallview

main road N of Chapelton Cross

hard up to road on a narrow section of road

OS 1st Series; ; toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.53

A377

Barnstable to Exeter

New Bridge

SS

558

282

DVND

TAWSTOCK

New Bridge at jct with road from Lake joins

based on position and appearance

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

UC road

Bideford to Barnstaple

Bideford (Barnstaple Road)

SS

459

266

DVTR

BIDEFORD

Old Barnstaple Road, Saltern Terrace (old turnpike)

this was demolished in 1879

; Greenwood Devon (1827); toll advert 1830, 1840;

Barnstaple

 

UC road

Barnstaple to Torrington

Torrington Lane

SS

457

262

DVTR

BIDEFORD

Torrington Lane

 

porch taken down when sold in 1879

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.34; census 1861

A386

Torrington to Bideford

Bideford Lane

SS

49

19

DVTR

GREAT TORRINGTON

 

 

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

 

A386

Hatherleigh to Torrington

Hatherleigh

SS

542

046

DVWD

HATHERLEIGH

Turnpike House

Oakfield Road

 

; ; ;

Barnstaple

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.37; census 1861

 

Known Milestones

In the Milestone Society Database, 81 milestones are identified on the B3217, B3223, B3230, A361, A377, and section of UC road,  – all in a design known as Barum stone. Based on the Trust’s 1879 mileage, would expect 104.

 

Mentions in Exeter Flying Post

 (excluding notices of meetings and letting of tolls)

application to improve roads

22-Aug

1805

notice of to creditors

06-Feb

1806

meeting re repair

17-Apr

1806

meeting  re new gate

14-Jul

1806

Newport & Sticklepath  to let

16-Aug

1810

notice of meeting to consider relief for toll letters after severe weather when roads impassable

19-May

1814

met re improvement

25-May

1815

new TP to Ilfracombe

28-Feb

1828

New Road to Barnstaple & Eggesford

03-Jul

1828

Apply for new Act

16-Oct

1828

Letter re application

27-Nov

1828

invite tenders for bridge

23-Jul

1829

2 gates to be removed

05-Feb

1852

news of meeting

22-Dec

1853

2 gates to be removed

06-Apr

1854

notice of re renewal of Act

16-Nov

1864

notice of re missing deed polls

11-Jan

1865

report on re Parliament Bill

12-Apr

1865

re turnpike Gate

04-Jul

1866