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A Brief HistoryThis is a
traditional rural Devonshire village steeped in history. It
is located on the rising of a hill above the river Yeo in
the heart of the Mid Devon countryside. It is about 18 miles away from
Exeter, just off the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road. Lapford
has a railway station on the Tarka line which runs between
Exeter and Barnstaple. The origins of Lapford can be traced back to the Iron Age Celts who met here for religious worship. By the 8th century, Lapford had been visited and settled by the Romans, the Angles and the Saxons. The population of the village was 150 when it was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. Throughout the middle ages Lapford
continued to prosper and grow, many stone buildings where
built, some of which can still be seen today including
Lapford's most notable landmark, St Thomas of Canterbury
church which originally dates back to the 12th century. This
lovely stone church is believed to have been built by
William De Tracey as penance for his part in the murder of
the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas a Beckett on 29th
December 1170. The church was extended in the 15th
century. Also added around this time was the most
exquisitely carved rood screen, the church also boasts
beautifully carved bench ends and roof woodwork. Today the village has grown considerably, but it is still small by modern standards with a population of about 1000. It is a traditional rural village surrounded by working farm land. This area of Devon is known as "the River country" for good reason, there are many rivers nearby including the beautiful river Yeo (pictured on left) which runs through the valley a short distance to the south of Lapford.
If you have any photos or articles about Lapford in Devon that you would like to be included please email me.
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